Buoyancy studies and microscopy of skin and subdermal extracellular matrix of the antarctic snailfish, Paraliparis devriesi

The Antarctic snailfish Paraliparis devriesi (Liparididae) occupies an epibenthic habitat at a depth of 500–650 m in the subzero waters of McMurdo Sound, Antarctica. Although lacking a swim bladder, this species is neutrally buoyant through the combined effects of reduced skeletal ossification and expansion of a watery gelatinous subdermal extracellular matrix (SECM). The SECM serves as a low density buoyancy agent. It comprises a mean of 33.8% of the body weight, the largest known proportion of any adult fish. The SECM is loose connective tissue dominated by ground substance consisting of glycosaminoglycans, especially hyaluronic acid, and immobilized water. Although the SECM is 97% water, elevated levels of NaCl provide an osmotic strength greater than that of other body fluids. Only small amounts of antifreeze compounds have been identified in P. devriesi; therefore, freezing avoidance may result from the combined effects of antifreezes and the elevated osmolality of body fluids. The skin overlying the SECM is thin (85–200 μm) and loose, and unlike most other fishes, the epidermis is several times thicker than the dermis. The midepidermis, has a distinctive layer of vacuolated club cells of unknown function. Light and electron microscopy indicate that the skin is unspecialized for protection against entry of ice. © 1994 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.