Salinity adaptation in the snake eel Pisoodonophis boro (Ham-buch).
The snake eel Pisoodonophis Boro (Family Ophichthidae) burrows, causing leaks in the bunds and damaging the salterns and paddy fields adjoining estuaries. The animal's capability to withstand brine in salterns and fresh water in paddy fields was determined from laboratory experiments. The eel tolerated salinities ranging from deionized water to 75%. Adaptation to fresh water as well as full strength seawater was completed within 24 h. The concentration of sodium and chloride in the blood varied by 10--20% on transfer from seawater to fresh water. P. boro can survive in paddy fields but not in salterns. However, their occurrence in both is described as a rare phenomenon and not obligatory.
D000222:Adaptation, Physiological; D000818:Animals; D002712:Chlorides / Q000097:blood; D004524:Eels / Q000097:blood / Q000502:physiology*; D007194:India; D009994:Osmolar Concentration; D012964:Sodium / Q000097:blood; D012965:Sodium Chloride
D002712:Chlorides; D012965:Sodium Chloride; D012964:Sodium