Rapid increase in the partial pressure of NH3 on the cutaneous surface of air-exposed mangrove killifish, Rivulus marmoratus

Mangrove killifish, Rivulus marmoratus, are tolerant of prolonged periods of air exposure (>30 days). Air-exposed R. marmoratus eliminate more than 40% of their total ammonia through NH(3) volatilization; however, the sites and mechanisms are unclear. We hypothesized that the cutaneous surface is an important site of NH(3) volatilization in air-exposed R. marmoratus. Ion-selective microelectrodes were used to measure the NH(4)(+) concentration …