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The Oral Papilla of the Lancelet Larva ( Branchiostoma lanceolatum ) (Cephalochordata)
Author(s) -
Andersson Eva,
Olsson Ragnar
Publication year - 1989
Publication title -
acta zoologica
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.414
H-Index - 37
eISSN - 1463-6395
pISSN - 0001-7272
DOI - 10.1111/j.1463-6395.1989.tb01052.x
Subject(s) - biology , major duodenal papilla , metamorphosis , cytoplasm , vesicle , flagellum , anatomy , ultrastructure , larva , mucus , cilium , microbiology and biotechnology , ecology , membrane , biochemistry , gene
The oral papilla is a prominent larval organ in the lancelet, which develops early during ontogenesis and disappears completely at metamorphosis. Electron microscopic studies indicated that the prevailing theories of its function are unlikely. Its cells lack the cytological characteristics of sensory or mucus producing cells, and the organ is not equipped with a tuft of flagella. It was not possible to reveal the function of the papilla, but its cells seem to be involved in a pronounced substance transport through the basal cell membrane as well as in the cytoplasm. Apical specializations indicate exo‐ or endocytotic activity and vesicles imply some exchange also between papilla cells and the sea water.