Histopathology of the skin of UV-B irradiated sole (Solea solea) and turbot (Scophthalmus maximus) larvae. |
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Authors: | I McFadzen S Baynes J Hallam A Beesley D Lowe |
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Institution: | Centre for Coastal and Marine Sciences, Plymouth Marine Laboratory, Prospect Place, Hoe, Plymouth, Devon PL1 3DH, UK. irbm@wpo.nerc.ac.uk |
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Abstract: | Larval stages of two economically important flatfish, the sole (Solea solea) and turbot (Scophthalmus maximus) were exposed to ambient and elevated levels of UV-B. Sole larvae, which naturally occur in the plankton in early spring, demonstrated skin lesions at elevated levels of UV-B. Histopathology of the sole revealed cellular changes in the integument, characteristic of sunburn damage, with a reduction in the size of mucus-secreting cells and an increased epidermal thickening, especially at the highest doses of UV-B (2.15 KJ bio eff/m2). Pigmentation in the sole is restricted to a few isolated melanocytes. The integrity of the heavily pigmented skin of turbot appeared to be unaffected by comparable doses of UV-B. Both species have protective mechanisms, which minimize the effects of naturally-occurring levels of UV-B. However, sole appear to be poorly adapted to accommodate any further increase in solar radiation. |
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