Figure 2.

Boops boops gill section stained with AB/PAS. (A,B) 20×, scale bar 20 μm. (C–F) 100×, scale bar 100 μm. The gills of both groups have a slightly altered morphology, with mucous cells at the apex of the filament. In fish from the eastern coast of Milazzo, is possible to note a cartilaginous core, lamellar damage, and epithelial alterations, occasionally resulting in lamella fusion. An increase in RCs was evident in fish more exposed to heavy metals. CC = cartilaginous core; LD = lamellar damage; EA = epithelial alterations; LF = lamellar fusion; R = rodlet cells; m = mucous cells.