develops from start stage end stage ionocyte zebrafish_anatomy ZFA:0005323 Specialized epithelial cells involved in the maintenance of osmotic homeostasis. They are characterized by abundant mitochondria and ion transporters. In amniotes, they are present in the renal system. In freshwater fish, ionocytes in the skin and gills help maintain osmotic homeostasis by absorbing salt from the external environment. Ceri 2010-02-22T01:18:18Z CL:0005006 TAO:0005323 ionocyte progenitor cell epithelial cell unknown adult