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The differentiation of nematocysts and associated structures in the cnidaria

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Summary

The differentiation of nematocysts and associated structures in the tentacles of the sea anemone Metridium senile fimbriatum and in the tentacles of medusae of the hydroid Obelia longissima was studied by electron microscopy. Stages in the morphogenesis of nematocysts are: 1. transformation of an interstitial cell into a cnidoblast in which the primordium of the nematocyst arises from Golgi vacuoles, 2. development of the basal part of the primordium into a capsular region that is continuous with an external tube with which microtubules, Golgi apparatus, and centrioles are associated distally, 3. growth of the capsular region to include most of the external tube, and 4. differentiation of an internal tube with spines from the matrix of the capsule and of the remaining external tube. The external tube is not invaginated to become the internal tube, but is incorporated into the capsular region by distal growth of the capsular wall. At the same time the matrix, both before and during differentiation into a thread, moves into the capsule. The development of nematocysts in Obelia differs from that in Metridium in several respects. In the former the basitrich has an operculum plus associated cnidocil and dense rods whereas in the latter the nematocysts (amastigophore, b-mastigophore and basitrich) have three apical flaps and an associated flagellum, with the exception of the spirocyst.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Zoology, University of California, Berkeley, USA

    Jane A. Westfall

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  1. Jane A. Westfall
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The author is indebted to Professor Richard M. Eakin for valuable criticism and encouragement and to his United States Public Health Service grant for partial support of this study. I acknowledge with appreciation a critical reading of the manuscript by Professors Cadet Hand and Ralph I. Smith.

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Westfall, J.A. The differentiation of nematocysts and associated structures in the cnidaria. Zeitschrift für Zellforschung 75, 381–403 (1966). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00336871

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