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The circulatory system of Amphioxus ( Branchiostoma floridae ) I. Morphology of the major vessels of the pharyngeal area
Author(s) -
Moller Peter C.,
Philpott Charles W.
Publication year - 1973
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.1051390403
Subject(s) - biology , basal lamina , anatomy , circulatory system , efferent , endothelium , myoepithelial cell , morphology (biology) , process (computing) , blood vessel , connective tissue , ultrastructure , afferent , zoology , endocrinology , immunohistochemistry , genetics , computer science , immunology , operating system
In order to clarify the morphology of the circulatory system of amphioxus the blood vessels were investigated using modern techniques of light and electron microscopy. The pattern of circulation in amphioxus is forward ventrally and backwards dorsally. In addition, circulating corpuscles, usually associated with the blood of higher chordates, are absent. The circulatory system of amphioxus consists of well defined contractile vessels and vascular spaces or sinuses within a connective tissue matrix. The contractile vessels have a discontinuous endothelial lining resting on a basal lamina and are enclosed by a simple layer of contractile myoepithelial cells. Discontinuous endothelial linings occur throughout the vascular tree, including major and minor afferent and efferent vessels and blood sinuses. This is in contrast to higher animals where the endothelium forms a more or less continuous lining along the inner surface of the boundary layer. It is suggested that the endothelial cells of amphioxus, like the endothelial cells in capillaries of higher chordates, most likely play a role in the physiology of the circulatory system by removing residues of filtration from the basal lamina, thereby facilitating an exchange of materials to and from the surrounding tissues.