Skip to main content
Log in

Ultrastructure of possible sites of ultrafiltration in some gastropoda, with particular reference to the auricle of the freshwater prosobranch Viviparus viviparus L.

  • Published:
Zeitschrift für Zellforschung und Mikroskopische Anatomie Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Summary

In the Gastropoda pressure-ultrafiltration of the blood is assumed to be the first step in urine formation. The most probable site of ultrafiltration is the wall of the heart. Since in other animal groups ultrafilters are characterized by a special cell type, the podocyte, the hearts of two pulmonates (Lymnaea stagnalis, Biomphalaria glabrata) and of four prosobranchs (Viviparus viviparus, Bithynia tentaculata, Ampullaria gigas, Littorina littorea) were ultrastructurally investigated, in order to establish whether or not podocytes occur in these structures. It appeared that only in the wall of the auricle of Viviparus podocytes are present. They form a layer underneath the epicardium, the epithelium covering the auricle. It is assumed that in Viviparus ultrafiltration proceeds in the auricle. The possible route of the pro-urine is discussed. The location of the ultrafilters in the other species studied remains still unknown.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Aardt, W.J. van: Quantitative aspects of the water balance in Lymnaea stagnalis (L.). Neth. J. Zool. 18, 253–312 (1968)

    Google Scholar 

  • Altner, H.: Die Ultrastruktur der Labialniere von Onychiurus quadriocellatus (Collembola). J. Ultrastruct. Res. 24, 349–366 (1968)

    Google Scholar 

  • Andrews, E.B.: The functional anatomy of the mantle cavity, kidney and blood system of some pilid gastropods (Prosobranchia). J. Zool. Lond. 146, 70–94 (1965)

    Google Scholar 

  • Andrews, E.B., Little, C.: Ultrafiltration in the gastropod heart. Nature (Lond.) 234, 411–412 (1971)

    Google Scholar 

  • Andrews, E.B., Little, C.: Structure and function in the excretory systems of some terrestrial prosobranch snails (Cyclophoridae). J. Zool., Lond. 168, 395–422 (1972)

    Google Scholar 

  • Bekius, R.: The circulatory system of Lymnaea stagnalis (L.). Neth. J. Zool. 22, 1–58 (1972)

    Google Scholar 

  • Bouillon, J.: Ultrastructure des cellules rénales des mollusques. I. Gastéropodes pulmonés terrestres (Helix pomatia). Ann. Sci. nat. (Zool.) (12) 2, 719–749 (1960)

    Google Scholar 

  • Boutan, L.: Gastéropodes. La Patelle commune. In: Zoologie descriptive 2 (ed. L. Boutan). Paris: O. Doin 1900

    Google Scholar 

  • El-Hifnawi, E.S., Seifert, G.: Über den Feinbau der Maxillarnephridien von Polyxenus lagurus (L.) (Diplopoda, Penicillata). Z. Zellforsch. 113, 518–530 (1971)

    Google Scholar 

  • Franc, A.: Mollusques Gastéropodes et Scaphopodes. In: Traité de zologie (ed. Pierre P. Grassé), vol. 5. Paris: Masson et Cie 1968

    Google Scholar 

  • Fretter V., Graham, A.: British prosobranch molluscs. London: Ray Society 1962

    Google Scholar 

  • Grobben, C.: Die Pericardialdrüse der Lamellibranchiaten. Arb. zool. Inst. Univ. Wien 7, 355–444 (1886)

    Google Scholar 

  • Grobben, C.: Die Pericardialdrüse der Gastropoden. Arb. zool. Inst. Univ. Wien 9, 35–56 (1891)

    Google Scholar 

  • Groepter, W.: Feinstruktur der Coxalorgane bei der Gattung Ornithodorus (Acari, Argasidae). Z. wiss. Zool. 167, 235–275 (1969)

    Google Scholar 

  • Harrison, F.M.: Some excretory processes in the abalone, Haliotis rufescens. J. exp. Biol. 39, 179–192 (1962)

    Google Scholar 

  • Harrison, F.M., Martin, A.: Excretion in the cephalopod, Octopus dofleini. J. exp. Biol. 42, 71–98 (1965)

    Google Scholar 

  • Haupt, J.: Zur Feinstruktur der Maxillarnephridien von Scutigerella immaculata New Port (Symphyla, Myriapoda). Z. Zellforsch. 101, 401–407 (1969)

    Google Scholar 

  • Koechlin, N.: Ultrastructure du plexus sanguin péroesophagien; ses relations avec la néphridie de Sabella pavonina Savigny. C. R. Acad. Sci. (Paris) 262, Sér. D., 1266–1296 (1966)

    Google Scholar 

  • Kümmel, G.: Das Cölomsäckchen der Antennendrüse von Cambarus affinis Say (Decapoda, Crustacea). Zool. Beitr. 10, 227–252 (1964)

    Google Scholar 

  • Kümmel, G.: Die Podocyten. Zool. Beitr., N. F., 13, 245–262 (1967)

    Google Scholar 

  • Little, C.: The formation of urine by the prosobranch gastropod molluse Viviparus viviparus Linn. J. exp. Biol. 43, 39–54 (1965)

    Google Scholar 

  • Martin, A. W., Harrison, F.M.: Excretion. In: K.M. Wilbur and C.M. Yonge, Physiology of Mollusca, vol. II. New York: Academic Press 1966

    Google Scholar 

  • Martin, A. W., Stewart, D.M., Harrison, F.M.: Urine formation in a pulmonate land snail, Achatina fulica. J. exp. Biol. 42, 99–123 1965

    Google Scholar 

  • Menefee, M.G., Müller, C.B.: Some morphological considerations of transport in the glomerulus. In: Ultrastructure of the kidney. Dalton, A.J., Haguenau, F. (eds.). New York: Academic Press 1967

    Google Scholar 

  • Picken, L.E.R.: The mechanism of urine formation in invertebrates. II. The excretory mechanism in certain Mollusca. J. exp. Biol. 14, 20–34 (1937)

    Google Scholar 

  • Potts, W.T.W.: Excretion in the molluscs. Biol. Rev. 42, 1–41 (1967)

    Google Scholar 

  • Potts, W.T.W.: Aspects of excretion in the molluscs. Symp. zool. Soc. Lond. 22, 187–192 (1968)

    Google Scholar 

  • Rolle, G.: Die Renopericardialverbindung bei den einheimischen Nacktschnecken und anderen Pulmonaten. Jena Z. Naturw. 43, 373–416 (1907)

    Google Scholar 

  • Schipp, R., Höhn, P., Schäfer, A.: Elektronenmikroskopische und histochemische Untersuchungen zur Funktion des Kiemenherzanhanges (Pericardialdrüse) von Sepia officinalis. Z. Zellforsch. 117, 252–274 (1971)

    Google Scholar 

  • Schipp, R., Schäfer, A.: Zur Feinstruktur und Funktion der Pericardialdrüse der Cephalopoden. Verh. dtsch. zool. Ges. 64, 113–117 (1971)

    Google Scholar 

  • Schmidt-Nielsen, B., Gertz, K.H., Davis, L.E.: Excretion and ultrastructure of the antennal gland of the fiddler crab, Uca mordax. J. Morph. 125, 473–495 (1968)

    Google Scholar 

  • Skelding, J.M.: Renal function in Achatina achatina (L.) and Helix pomatia L. Ph. D. Thesis, University of London (1972)

  • Skelding, J.M.: The fine structure of the kidney of Achatina achatina. In press (1973)

  • Sminia, T.: Structure and function of blood and connective tissue cells of the freshwater pulmonate Lymnaea stagnalis studied by electron microscopy and enzyme histochemistry. Z. Zellforsch. 130, 497–526 (1972)

    Google Scholar 

  • Vorwohl, G.: Zur Funktion der Excretionsorgane von Helix pomatia L. und Archachatina ventricosa Gould. Z. vergl. Physiol. 45, 12–49 (1961)

    Google Scholar 

  • Wendelaar Bonga, S.E., Boer, H.H.: Ultrastructure of the renopericardial system in the pond snail Lymnaea stagnalis (L.). Z. Zellforsch. 94, 513–529 (1969)

    Google Scholar 

  • Wessels, N.K.: How living cells change shape. Sci. Amer. 225, 76–82 (1971)

    Google Scholar 

  • Witmer, A., Martin, A. W.: The fine structure of the branchial heart appendage of the cephalopod Octopus dofleini martini. Z. Zellforsch. 136, 545–568 (1973)

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

Authors

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Boer, H.H., Algera, N.H. & Lommerse, A.W. Ultrastructure of possible sites of ultrafiltration in some gastropoda, with particular reference to the auricle of the freshwater prosobranch Viviparus viviparus L.. Z.Zellforsch 143, 329–341 (1973). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00307419

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00307419

Key words

Navigation