Histological Study on Digestive System of <i>Triplophysa yarkandensis</i> in Saline-Alkali and Freshwater Environments: Adaptive Mechanisms.

ABSTRACT: Triplophysa yarkandensis, a unique saline-alkali tolerant fish in the Tarim River Basin, exhibits unclear adaptive mechanisms of its digestive system to saline-alkali stressors. This study compared the histological characteristics of the digestive system in fish reared in saline-alkali water (salinity 5.89, alkalinity 125.60) and freshwater. Histological characteristics were analyzed using hematoxylin-eosin staining, and parameters were quantified via Image-Pro Plus software, with statistical comparisons performed using independent sample t-tests. Key findings included a 2.7-fold increase in oropharyngeal club cell density (48.50 ± 2.68 vs. 17.80 ± 2.04, p < 0.01) with denser stratified squamous epithelium in the saline-alkali group; a 74% increase in esophageal goblet

SUBMITTER: Wang Z 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12467716 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Sep

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature