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Ultrastructure of the epidermis in the ice worm, Mesenchytraeus solifugus
Author(s) -
Goodman Daniel,
Parrish Wayne B.
Publication year - 1971
Publication title -
journal of morphology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.652
H-Index - 74
eISSN - 1097-4687
pISSN - 0362-2525
DOI - 10.1002/jmor.1051350105
Subject(s) - ultrastructure , biology , cuticle (hair) , epidermis (zoology) , basement membrane , septate junctions , anatomy , epithelium , desmosome , oligochaeta (plant) , microbiology and biotechnology , zoology , cell , intracellular , genetics , gap junction
The ice worm is adapted for life at O°C. A survey of the ultrastructure of the cuticle, epidermal epithelium and basement membrane does not reveal any features which self‐evidently correlate with such metabolic specialization; instead, these tissues are much like those of the earthworm and some freshwater oligochaetes. The cuticular fibers are unstriated. Epithelial cells aresuggested as the source of cuticular material. Epithelial microvilli penetrate the cuticle. There is an array of membrane bound bodies on the cuticle surface. The basement membrane fibers are transversely striated and are oriented in crossed lamellae. The junctional complex is represented by azonula adhaerens and septate desmosome.