A Reinvestigation by Light and Electron Microscopy of Ruttnera Spectabilis Geitler (Haptophyceae), with Special Reference to the Fine Structure of the Zoids

Author(s):  
J. C. Green ◽  
Mary Parke

Within the Chromophyta (sensu Christensen, 1962) a number of genera having benthic phases in which the vegetative cells are embedded in masses of thick, sometimes stratified mucilage, have been described from both marine and freshwater habitats. Examples include Gloeochrysis Pasch. (Pascher, 1925), Geochrysis Pasch. (Pascher, 1931), Sarcinochrysis Geitl. (Geitler, 1930), Chrysotila Anand (Anand, 1937) and Ruttnera Geitl. (Geitler, 1942). In many cases the vegetative stages are so similar morphologically as to be almost indistinguishable, especially in the juvenile condition in which the cells are often arranged in regular blocks (the ‘Sarcinochrysis’ condition) and under such circumstances it is difficult to ascertain their true systematic relationships.

1974 ◽  
Vol 31 (2) ◽  
pp. 147-153 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. D. B. Burt ◽  
I. M. Sandeman

Light and electron microscopy were used to describe the functional morphology of Bothrimonus sturionis in detail. In particular, the musculature, nervous system, osmoregulatory system, and tegument are dealt with, and the findings compared with those of other workers. The musculature of the scolex consists of several interrelated systems, the structure of each being discussed in relation to its function. Associated with the regular nervous system, considered typical of cestodes, is an extensive system of giant nerve fibers. The osmoregulatory system is unusual in that there are lateral "excretory" pores in many proglottides which open directly to the exterior of the worm. The microtriches of the tegument are long, like those of other primitive cestodes, and are covered by a noncellular sheath while the worm is in its gammarid host. The sheath is lost when the worm becomes established in its fish host; the nature and function of the sheath are discussed.


1967 ◽  
Vol 2 (3) ◽  
pp. 349-358
Author(s):  
R. M. EAKIN ◽  
JANE A. WESTFALL ◽  
M. J. DENNIS

The eye of a nudibranch, Hermissenda crassicornis, was studied by light and electron microscopy. Three kinds of cells were observed: large sensory cells, each bearing at one end an array of microvilli (rhabdomere) and at the other end an axon which leaves the eye by the optic nerve; large pigmented supporting cells; and small epithelial cells, mostly corneal. There are five sensory cells, and the same number of nerve fibres in the optic nerve. The receptor cells contain an abundance of small vesicles, 600-800 Å in diameter. The lens is a spheroidal mass of osmiophilic, finely granular material. A basal lamina and a capsule of connective tissue enclose the eye. In some animals the eye is ‘infected’ with very small bodies, 4-5 µ in diameter, thought to be symbionts.


Parasitology ◽  
1969 ◽  
Vol 59 (2) ◽  
pp. 449-459 ◽  
Author(s):  
R. E. Howells

The nephridial system of M. expansa has been studied using light and electron microscopy, and a number of histochemical techniques have been used on sections of the worm. The organization of the nephridial system and the fine structure of the flame cells and the nephridial ducts are described. Pores, which connect the nephridial lumen to the intercellular space of the connective tissue, exist at the junction of a flame cell and a nephridial duct. These pores may be considered nephrostomes and the system therefore is not protonephridial as defined by Hyman (1951).The epithelium lining the nephridial ducts has a structure which suggests that it is metabolically active. It is postulated that the beating of the cilia of the flame cells draws fluid into the ducts via the nephrostomes, with absorption and/or secretion of solutes being carried out by the epithelial cells of the duct walls. The function of the nephridial system is discussed.I am grateful to Professor James Brough for the provision of research facilities at the Department of Zoology, University College, Cardiff, andtoDrD. A. Erasmus for much helpful advice during the course of the work. I wish to thank Professors W. Peters and T. Wilson for critically reading the manuscript and Miss M. Williams and Mr T. Davies for expert technical assistance.I also wish to thank the Veterinary Inspector and his staff at the Roath Abattoir, Cardiff, for their kind co-operation and assistance in obtaining material.The work was carried out under the tenure of an S.R.C. research scholarship.


1972 ◽  
Vol 25 (3) ◽  
pp. 469 ◽  
Author(s):  
JG Swift ◽  
TP O'brien

The cytological changes that take place in the scutellar epithelium and parenchyma during the first 5 days of germination are described by light and electron microscopy. Within 6 hr small starch grains appear in the plastids of both cell types and the size and number of starch grains increase gradually as germination proceeds. Later in germination starch disappears again from the plastids in the epithelial cells, but large starch grains still remain in the parenchyma cells. The reserves of the protein bodies are hydrolysed and the residual vacuoles undergo extensive coales-cence. Modifications in the appearance of the wall material of the epithelial cells as these cells elongate are illustrated and possible functional bases for these changes are suggested. The cells of the scutellar epithelium show no cytological evidence for their known functions of diastase secretion and nutrient absorption.


1985 ◽  
Vol 63 (8) ◽  
pp. 1944-1961 ◽  
Author(s):  
K. H. Nicholls ◽  
M. Dürrschmidt

Sixteen taxa of the genera Raphidocystis, Raphidiophrys, and Pompholyxophrys from freshwater habitats in Canada, Chile, and New Zealand were studied by light and electron microscopy. Six taxa are described as new: Raphidocystis glabra, Raphidiophrys minuta, Raphidiophrys orbicularis ssp. orbicularis, R. orbicularis ssp. ovalis, Pompholyxophrys stellata, and P. ossea. New information on scale structure and arrangement based on scanning and transmission electron microscopy amplifies the taxonomic descriptions of Raphidiophrys ambigua, R. pallida, R. elegans, R. intermedia, R. marginata, R. symmetrica, Pompholyxophrys punicea, P. exigua, and P. ovuligera, which were previously imperfectly known by light microscopy only.


Author(s):  
D. L. Taylor

The intertidal actinian Anemonia sulcata is known to harbour yellow-brown algal symbionts which are similar in appearance to the zooxanthellae of hermatypic, or reef-building, corals and a number of other invertebrate species. The cytochemistry and structural morphology of the zooxanthella has been studied by light and electron microscopy, to help define it taxonomically and to reveal something about its relations with the actinian. These investigations confirm that it is a dinoflagellate and have revealed several structural adaptations which are formed as a result of the peculiar mode of life adopted by this alga. Of significance is the fine structure of the periplast, which may have a considerable bearing upon the type of relationship which can exist between the host and its symbiont. These findings are discussed in terms of other known instances of algal-invertebrate symbiosis.


1965 ◽  
Vol 24 (3) ◽  
pp. 349-368 ◽  
Author(s):  
Barbara J. Stevens

The behavior of the nucleolus during mitosis was studied by electron microscopy in neuroblast cells of the grasshopper embryo, Chortophaga viridifasciata. Living neuroblast cells were observed in the light microscope, and their mitotic stages were identified and recorded. The cells were fixed and embedded; alternate thick and thin sections were made for light and electron microscopy. The interphase nucleolus consists of two fine structural components arranged in separate zones. Concentrations of 150 A granules form a dense peripheral zone, while the central regions are composed of a homogeneous background substance. Observations show that nucleolar dissolution in prophase occurs in two steps with a preliminary loss of the background substance followed by a dispersal of the granules. Nucleolar material reappears at anaphase as small clumps or layers at the chromosome surfaces. These later form into definite bodies, which disappear as the nucleolus grows in telophase. Evidence suggests both a collecting and a synthesizing role for the nucleolus-associated chromatin. The final, mature nucleolar form is produced by a rearrangement of the fine structural components and an increase in their mass.


1986 ◽  
Vol 64 (2) ◽  
pp. 431-441 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. A. Friesen ◽  
K. H. Mann ◽  
J. H. M. Willison

The structure of the digestive tract of Mysis stenolepis was studied by light and electron microscopy. The cardiac portion of the stomach is armed with dorsal, lateral, and ventral chitinous ridges. The pyloric stomach is divided by ridges and stiff hairs into an upper chamber through which most of the food passes and a lower chamber containing only fluid and fine particles. The hepatopancreas consists of five paired lobes that open into the junction of the stomach and midgut in such a way that only the fluid and fine particles from the ventral chamber of the stomach enter its tubules. Other material passes from the dorsal chamber to the midgut and is eventually voided. The fine structure of the hepatopancreas and other parts of the gut are described.


Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document