Chiers, K.

Vercauteren, M.

Vroman, S.

Open Marine Archive

THE CURIOUS 
ASYMMETRY OF FLATFISH
Flatfish have one of the most peculiar shapes existing on this planet, linked to an extreme 
asymmetry. During metamorphosis one eye migrates onto the other side of the head, they lose
their symmetrical larval state and acquire a blind and an eye side. The blind side glides over 
the seabed and is non-pigmented (NP). The eye side reaches out to the water column and is 
pigmented (P). The difference between both sides in pigmentation is already well 
investigated, however, other microscopic or structural differences may be present.
Simon Vroman1, Maaike Vercauteren1 and Koen Chiers1
1 Departement of Pathology, Bacteriology and Avian Diseases, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Ghent University
Thickness of the epidermis
Materials & methods
Results
Quantity of goblet cells
Conclusion
• Seasonal difference in thickness of the epidermis.
• Small difference in amount of goblet cells between pigmented and non-pigmented
side.
• Small difference in thickness between pigmented and non-pigmented side.
Introduction
• H&E-staining
• Length from the basement membrane
(not included) till the upper layer of the
epidermis 
• PAS-staining
• Count all the goblet cells per 
159,14 µm
The fish used were caught in two different seasons and two different  places. Histological sections of healthy skin 
were made (5µm) of skin from both P and NP. Different measurements were conducted.
52,12
56,80
0
10
20
30
40
50
60
70
80
Th
ic
k
n
e
ss
 in
 µ
m
P NP
Thickness of epidermal tissue 
6,40
5,57
0
2
4
6
8
10
12
G
o
b
le
t 
c
e
lls
P NP
Average amount of goblet cells
7,07
6,18
5,53
4,88
0
2
4
6
8
10
12
G
o
b
le
t 
c
e
lls
P Februari NP Februari P October    NP October
Average amount of goblet cells per season
45,00
48,28
59,28
64,69
0
10
20
30
40
50
60
70
80
90
Th
ic
k
n
e
ss
 in
 µ
m
P Februari NP Februari P October NP October
Thickness of epidermal tissue per season


The curious asymmetry of flatfish

http://www.vliz.be/imisdocs/publications/328021.pdf

The curious asymmetry of flatfish

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