남극어류와 온대성 어류의 내부기관 비교를 통한 환경 적응 비교

초록

This study investigates the environmental adaptations of two Antarctic icefishes, Chaenocephalus aceratus and Champsocephalus gunnari, through a comparative analysis of the internal organ morphology with temperate fish species, Chelidonichthys spinosus and Hexagrammos otakii, inhabiting Korean coastal waters. The Southern Ocean is characterized by extreme cold, high dissolved oxygen, and seasonal sea ice, and the Antarctic fishes adapted to such conditions exhibited morphological features that enable efficient oxygen circulation, including colorless blood, well-developed pectoral fins, large hearts, and wide blood vessels. Morphometiric analysis revealed that Antarctic fishes possess jaw structures adapted for engulfing pelagic prey such as krill, as indicated by their low protrusion coefficients and low-density. Furthermore, vertebral density measurements demonstrated lower skeletal density in Antarctic fish, which facilitateds buoyancy regulation in midwater environments. In contrast, temperate species displayed higher skeletal density and smaller cardiac indices, indicating distinct strategies for circulation and buoyancy suited to their respective climatic conditions. Although the study was limited to a single specimen per species due to the logistical constraints of Antarctic sampling, this study provides valuable preliminary insights into the morphological and physiological adaptations of Antarctic fishes. These results may serve as foundational data for future research into the evolutionary mechanisms underlying cold environmen adaptation in marine fishes.

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