The vasculature of the gills in the aquatic and aestivating lungfish (Protopterus aethiopicus)

Studies were undertaken of the microcirculation and histology of the gill of Protopterus aethiopicus as a prerequisite for elucidating the function of the gills in a bimodal respiratory system. The lamellae of the gill-bearing arches (I, IV, V, VI) resembles the arborescent external gill of the larval amphibian rather than the gill of the teleost or selachian. The arterio-arterial system (a-a) of the gill consists of an afferent artery, a …