• The Korean Journal of Malacology
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• v.27 no.1
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• pp.15-27
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• 2011

This study was performed to observe ultrastructure of the gill and to ascertain the effect of salinity on histopathological and ultrastructural changes in the gill of the Japanese clam, Corbicula japonica. Experimental period was 7 days. Experimental groups consisted of control, 5, 10, 20 psu. $LC_{50}$ (96 h.) by the probit was 19.55 psu. Mortality was significantly different from the control (p < 0.05). Inner demibranch of the gill of C. japonica was wider 1.37 times than outer demibranch (p < 0.001). The filament zone on the plica can be distinguished by the six epithelial celll cell; frontal ciliated epithelium ($7{\mu}m$), latero-frontal ciliated epithelium ($5{\mu}m$), postlatero-frontal epithelim ($3{\times}8{\mu}m$), and lateral ciliated epithelium ($5{\mu}m$) in the frontal zone, endothelial cellin the intermediate zone, and abfrontal cell in the abfrontal zone. It had one type of secretory cell that was filled with fibrous substances of low electron density. The gill of C. japonica exposed to 5 psu for 7 days was observed partially disappearance of the cilia, and glycogen granule in the filament. In the 10 psu, gill appeared partially modification of epithelial cell and destruction of the glycocalyx. Gill exposed to 20 psu was extended nuclus of the ciliated epithelial cell, destruction of the organelles, and observed glycogen granules infiltration and numerous vacuoles. Moreover, more than 50% filaments were observed that come out chitinous rod from disappearance of epithelial cell in the filament. Therefore, the destruction of the cilia and epithelial cell induce physiological activity and it may be leading directly to death.