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Frontal glands and frontal sensory structures in the Macrostomida (Turbellaria)
Author(s) -
KLAUSER MARIANNE. D.,
TYLER SETH
Publication year - 1987
Publication title -
zoologica scripta
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.204
H-Index - 64
eISSN - 1463-6409
pISSN - 0300-3256
DOI - 10.1111/j.1463-6409.1987.tb00057.x
Subject(s) - biology , ultrastructure , turbellaria , sensory system , anatomy , neuroscience
The ultrastructure of the frontal gland complex of six species of Macrostomida is investigated. In all species it comprises an array of discretely emerging gland necks of at least two gland types, including one with rhammite secretion granules and one with rhahdite granules. Moreover, mucous glands and glands containing other secretion granules are found in Microstomum sp. No intermeditate form which would allow bridging of the present lack of ultrastructural, histochemical and positional similarities between the Macrostomida and the Acoela is found in the examined species. Therefore, the probability of homology between the frontal organs of the Acoela and the frontal glands of the Macrostomida remains low. Even though two or three tyes of sensory receptors are found distributed over the anterior end of all examined species, the frontal gland complex does not appear to be sensory. Because of the uniformity in frontal gland ultrastructure. relationships within the Macrostomida based on this character alone cannot be detected.