Transplantation of pigmented and non-pigmented scales into the ocular and blind sides of the Japanese flounder Paralichthys olivaceus,suggesting the presence of ocular-side characteristic inducer in pigmented scales

After metamorphosis, both eyes of the Japanese flounder Paralichthys olivaceus are located on its left side, with only the ocular side becoming pigmented. Staining, or hypermelanosis, occurs on the blind side at 2–3 months after metamorphosis, thereby lowering the market price of the fish. To understand the pigmentation expansion process, we performed scale transplantation between the blind and ocular sides of an individual. About 40 % of transplanted scales were successfully engrafted, regardless of donor or recipient site. When blind-side scales were transplanted to the ocular side, they became pigmented after 2 weeks, while no change was observed when the scales were transplanted to the blind side. Ocular-side scales did not lose pigment, regardless of the recipient site. However, after removal of transplanted ocular-side scales, pigmented scales regenerated after 3 weeks, even at blind-side sites. Identical results were obtained when the stained area on the blind side was used as the recipient location. When an ocular-side scale with skin tissue was inserted under blind-side scales, the scales immediately above the transplanted area became pigmented, whereas ocular-side scales stripped of tissue did not induce pigmentation. These results strongly suggest the presence of an ocular-side characteristic inducer in pigmented scale tissues.