The respiratory physiology of anadromous vertebrates: A comparison of blood gas transport in lampreys and salmonids

Much of our understanding of the respiratory physiology of lower vertebrates has been derived from studies of salmonids. With regard to blood gas transport, investigators recently have documented a number of important features that may be helpful to the animal under stressful conditions. Several studies examining the respiratory physiology of agnathans have also revealed that striking differences in the strategy of blood gas transport may exist among the lower vertebrates inhabiting the estuary. This paper describes the characteristics of blood gas transport in both salmonids and lampreys and attempts to compare the respiratory strategy of each.