New microvillous cells with possible sensory function on the skin of sharks

Little is known about the skin surface of elasmobranchs (sharks and rays), compared to the morphology of the overlying placoid scales. In this article the discovery of cells with numerous apical microvilli on the skin of sharks is reported. As the morphology of these cells is similar to various other sensory receptors, including solitary chemosensory cells in other fishes, it seems likely that they have a sensory function.