Turbellarian taxonomic database

Record # 17505
Author
Title
Journal
Pfistermüller R, Tyler S (2002)
Correlation of fluorescence and electron microscopy of F-actin-containing sensory cells in the epidermis of Convoluta pulchra (Platyhelminthes: Acoela).
Acta Zool 83:15-24

Abstract / Notes

"Phalloidin-stained whole mounts of acoel turbellarians show brightly
fluorescing club-shaped structures distributed over the epidermis and
concentrated especially at the anterior and posterior tips of the body. By
correlating electron micrographic images and fluorescence images of Convoluta
pulchra, these structures can be seen to be sensory receptors with a central
cilium surrounded by a collar of microvilli. The other candidate for showing
fluorescence in the epidermis, namely gland necks, can be ruled out since their
distribution is too dense to resemble the distribution of the fluorescent
structures seen here. The collared sensory receptors were inserted between
epidermal cells, and each bore a central cilium surrounded by a collar of 6-18
microvilli and an additional centrally positioned 2-7 microvilli of which 2 or
3 were associated with a modified rootlet called the swallow's nest. Confocal
scanning laser microscopy resolved the core of actin filaments within the
microvilli of the collar and their rootlet-like connections to the base of the
sensory cell. Such receptors could also be identified by fluorescence
microscopy in several other species of acoel turbellarians."

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