The effect of swimbladder deflation on pressure sensitivity in the saithePollachius virens

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Abstract
The saithe,Pollachius virens(L.), makes substantial diel vertical migrations like many other teleost fish. Adulst saithe offshore are known to ascent at dusk from 100 to 10 m (Schmidt, 1955) during which they experience a pressure decrease from 11 to 2 atm. If the swimbladders of these fish were fully adapted to the daytime depth, the gas of the swimbladder (which ‘obeys’ Boyle's Law) would expand 4½ times and rupture the swimbladder wall (Tytler & Blaxter, 1973). Even if not fullly adapted it is likely that some increase in volume would be experienced, giving not only the danger of the swimbladder bursting, but also a serious equilibrium problem as the fish become more positively buyant during the ascent. Jones (1952) for example suggested that the physoclistous perch adapted to a particular pressure could only cope with a 33% decrease in pressure without rising to the surface out of control.

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