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Ultrastructure of siliceous spicules and microsclerocytes in the marine sponge Neofibularia irata N. SP.
Author(s) -
Wilkinson Clive R.,
Garrone Robert
Publication year - 1980
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.1051660105
Subject(s) - sponge spicule , biology , ultrastructure , sponge , spicule , morphology (biology) , hexagonal crystal system , protein filament , anatomy , crystallography , paleontology , biochemistry , chemistry
The marine sponge Neofibularia irata contains four different categories of siliceous spicules. These spicules are evident in the tissues as distinct bundles that act to increase the structural rigidity of the sponge. All spicules have a normal structural morphology with silica deposition around a hexagonal axial canal containing a crystalline axial filament. The megasclere strongyles are secreted in typical megasclerocytes. The sigma and raphid microscleres are secreted in individual microsclerocytes that are grouped together in parallel to form loose bundles. However, the microxea microscleres are apparently secreted in distinct tight bundles (trichodragmas) within a single cell. These cells, containing between 13 and 39 spicules, are grouped to form large packets of bundles of spicules.