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Network structure of projections extending from peripheral neurons in the tunic of ascidian larva
Author(s) -
Terakubo Hiroshi Q.,
Nakajima Yoko,
Sasakura Yasunori,
Horie Takeo,
Konno Alu,
Takahashi Hiroki,
Inaba Kazuo,
Hotta Kohji,
Oka Kotaro
Publication year - 2010
Publication title -
developmental dynamics
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.634
H-Index - 141
eISSN - 1097-0177
pISSN - 1058-8388
DOI - 10.1002/dvdy.22361
Subject(s) - biology , larva , anatomy , ecology
Abstract In ascidian Ciona intestinalis , a subset of trunk epidermal neurons were shown to possess external network of neural projections. To characterize a more complete network in naturally hatched (chorionated) larvae, we visualized the structure with a confocal laser scanning microscope. High resolution images revealed the huge network consisting of several subnetworks in whole‐larval tunic. We named this network the ASNET ( as cidian dendritic ne twork in t unic). The ASNET was dynamically generated and collapsed during larval stages. Interestingly, one of the subnetworks found around apical trunk epidermal neurons was bilaterally asymmetric. In caudal epidermal neurons, transmission electron microscopy revealed that 9+2 axonemes were accompanied by a vesicle‐containing mass in the ASNET arbor, but the distal end of the arbor contained only the vesicle‐containing fibrous mass and no 9+2 axonemes. The characteristics of the ASNET suggest that it forms a unique outer body network in the ascidian larval tunic. Developmental Dynamics 239:2278–2287, 2010.© 2010 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.