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Fine structure of olfactory epithelium inSchizothoraichthys progastus McClelland andSchizothorax richardsonii Gray (Cyprinidae: Teleostei) from Garhwal Himalaya (India)

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Abstract

The olfactory epithelium of two closely related species of snowtrout—Schizothoraichthys progastus McClelland andSchizothorax richardsonii Gray (Subfamily: Schizothoracinae. family-Cyprinidae, Teleostei), from a perennial glacier-fed river Mandakini of Garhwal hills was studied by employing transmission electron microscopic method The olfactory lamella comprises two epithelia—anterior and posterior, with a stroma sandwiched in between. Both are strartified. The anterior one is thicker than posterior. InSchizothoraichithys progastus, the sensory part of epithelium has two types of receptor cells—ciliated receptor cells and rod cells whilst inSchizothorax richardsonii, there arc three types of receptor cells—ciliated receptor cells, microvillous receptor cells and rod cells in addition to sustentacular cells, basal cells and mucous cells. While inhabiting similar hillstream habitat, the differential ecological niches, feeding habits etc., account for the presence of different receptor cell types in these species, It implies the possible diversification at cellular and physiological levels so as to minimize the competition by using varied olfactory cues.

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Abbreviations

CRC:

Ciliated receptor cells

RC:

rod cells

OK:

olfactory knob

MRC:

microvillous receptor cells

SC:

sustentacular cells

r:

rod

cl:

cilia

fl:

filaments

m:

mitochondria

N:

nucleus

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Zoology Department, HNB Garhwal University, PO Box 83, 246 174, Srinagar Garhwal, India

    N. Singh, K. C. Bhatt, Mukesh K. Bahuguna & Dharmendra Kumar

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  1. N. Singh
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  2. K. C. Bhatt
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  3. Mukesh K. Bahuguna
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  4. Dharmendra Kumar
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Singh, N., Bhatt, K.C., Bahuguna, M.K. et al. Fine structure of olfactory epithelium inSchizothoraichthys progastus McClelland andSchizothorax richardsonii Gray (Cyprinidae: Teleostei) from Garhwal Himalaya (India). J Biosci 20, 385–396 (1995). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02703842

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02703842

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