Kelly Regan
Research:
Teleost fish have serotonin-containing neuroepithelial cells (NECs) in the gills that respond to oxygen in water, but little is known about how amphibious fish, which spend parts of their life out of water, detect oxygen. The mangrove killifish, Kryptolebias marmoratus, is an amphibious fish that respires via the gills and/or skin. We first demonstrated that NECs are present in both gills and skin with immunohistochemistry. K. marmoratus are found in water-filler, hypoxic burrows of mangrove crab species or out of water (emersed). We hypothesized that fish detect water oxygen levels and emerse at threshold levels. Indeed, lowering water oxygen levels acutely induced fish to emerse at 0.2 mg/L dissolved oxygen. We hypothesized that the hypoxic emersion response is mediated by neurotransmitters (serotonin and acetylcholine). When K. marmoratus were pre-exposed to serotonin or acetylcholine, they emersed at a significantly higher oxygen level. Exposure to receptor blockers (ketanserin and hexamethonium) resulted in a decreased sensitivity to oxygen. Taken together, these results indicate that serotonin and acetylcholine are likely associated with oxygen sensitivity and the emersion response of the mangrove killifish.
Education:
M.S.c. Candidate, Integerative Biology, University of Guelph
B.S.c. Honours Biology, Mount Allison University
Contact Information:
Kelly Regan
Department of Integrative Biology
University of Guelph
Guelph, ON N1G 5C2
(512) 824-4120 office: X58387 Lab: X58385