Gills of the seawater fish Oligoplites palometa (Carangidae): morphology and functional activity of structures described through scanning electron microscopy Brânquias do peixe marinho Oligoplites palometa (Carangidae): morfologia e atividade funcional de estruturas descritas através de microscópio eletrônico de varredura

The seawater fish Oligoplites palometa (Cuvier,1833) is found in the American continent, from Guatemala to the coastline of São Paulo, Brazil. Below this area, it does not occur frequently. (MENEZES & FIGUEIREDO,1980). Scientific literature on its biology is scarce. However, studies have shown that this species presents lepidophagous habits. Lepidophagy is characteristic to some fishes that must swallow scales of other fish. This habit is uncommon, but peculiar to other species of the Carangidae family (HALSTEAD et al., 1972; MAJOR, 1973; SAZIMA & UIEDA, 1980).