Ultrastructure of the epidermal gland system of Tetranchyroderma suecicum Boaden, 1960 (Gastrotricha: Macrodasyida) indicates a defensive function of its exudate
Schnier J, Ahlrichs W, Gruhl A, Schulbert C, Teichert S, Kieneke A (2019)
Publication Language: English
Publication Type: Journal article, Original article
Publication year: 2019
Journal
Book Volume: 138
Pages Range: 443-462
Journal Issue: 4
DOI: 10.1007/s00435-019-00462-4
Abstract
Although the phylum Gastrotricha is known and studied for more than 150 years, some cell types, tissues and organ systems are still not well understood in terms of their morphology, ultrastructure, function and role. One of these features is the epidermal gland system (EGS). As yet, there is just a single detailed electron microscopic investigation of the epidermal glands of the species Turbanella cornuta Remane, 1925, plus scattered ultrastructural data of few additional species. We comprehensively investigated the epidermal glands of Tetranchyroderma suecicum Boaden, 1960 by means of serial sectioning and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and with scanning electron microscopy. Furthermore, light microscopical, confocal laser scanning microscopical and micro-computed tomographical (μCT) techniques were additionally used for this investigation. Computer programs for 3D-reconstructions were used to analyse the data obtained by TEM and μCT. Tetranchyroderma suecicum possesses up to 100, mostly pairwise arranged, glandulocytes. Each single-celled gland con-tains a large anastomosing secretory cistern with granular content, has a very electron-dense cytoplasm, a basally positioned nucleus, peripherally arranged mitochondria and a cuticulated, ‘chimney-like’ apical neck, which carries the cellular pore. Each merocrine glandulocyte is associated with an adjacent ciliated sensory cell. There is currently no coherent hypothesis of the glandulocytes’ functional role, but different ideas are discussed. We refer to evidence that the secretory product of the EGS of Tetranchyroderma suecicum most likely acts as a repellent against potential predators.
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Germany (DE)How to cite
APA:
Schnier, J., Ahlrichs, W., Gruhl, A., Schulbert, C., Teichert, S., & Kieneke, A. (2019). Ultrastructure of the epidermal gland system of Tetranchyroderma suecicum Boaden, 1960 (Gastrotricha: Macrodasyida) indicates a defensive function of its exudate. Zoomorphology, 138(4), 443-462. https://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s00435-019-00462-4
MLA:
Schnier, Jannik, et al. "Ultrastructure of the epidermal gland system of Tetranchyroderma suecicum Boaden, 1960 (Gastrotricha: Macrodasyida) indicates a defensive function of its exudate." Zoomorphology 138.4 (2019): 443-462.
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