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Gut‐associated cells of derocheilocaris remanei (crustacea, mystacocarida)
Author(s) -
Fernández Isabel,
HerreraÁlvarez Letizia,
Pardos Fernando,
Benito Jesús
Publication year - 2002
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.1088
Subject(s) - biology , hindgut , midgut , basal lamina , microbiology and biotechnology , cytoplasm , epithelium , lipid droplet , vesicle , ultrastructure , anatomy , biochemistry , membrane , larva , botany , genetics
The gut‐associated cells (GA‐cells) of the mystacocarid Derocheilocaris remanei were investigated by transmission electron microscopy. These cells are characterized by a dense cytoplasm, the presence of clear vesicles adjacent to the gut epithelium, glycogen, and lipid droplets. GA‐cells envelop the midgut and hindgut and send blunt cytoplasmic extensions to the gut epithelium through its basal lamina. The GA‐cells also extend dorsolateral projections to the body wall by means of intermediate cells. In addition to a mechanical function of suspending and stabilizing the gut, these cells may affect the flow of the hemocoelic fluid and may be implicated in the processes of transport, assimilation, and storage of nutrients. J. Morphol. 251:276–283, 2002. © 2002 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.