Summary
The cavity receptor organ (previously X-organ or organ of Bellonci) of Artemia salina consists of ciliated neurons whose cilia protrude into a cavity beneath the cuticle. The neuronal dendrites penetrate a giant accompanying cell and epidermal cells before entering the cavity. The cavity beneath the cuticle, the ciliated neurons and the connexion with the medulla terminalis justifies a homologization with the frontal filament organ of cirripeds and the third unit of copepods. The term cavity receptor is suggested for this organ. It is hardly homologous with the second unit of copepods and the organs described for many malacostracans under the names of sensory pore X-organ or organ of Bellonci. The latter organs are very similar to the cavity receptor but have an internal cavity formed by glial cells.
The cavity receptor organ was previously considered neurosecretory but in the light of the present knowledge it is rather sensory although a double function cannot be denied.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Chaigneau, J.: Étude ultrastructurale de l'organe de Bellonci de Sphaeroma serratum (Fabricius), Crustacé Isopode Flabellifère. C. R. Acad. Sci. (Paris) 268, 3177–3179 (1969).
—: L'organe de Bellonci du Crustacé Isopode Sphaeroma serratum (Fabricius). Ultrastructure et signification. Z. Zellforsch. 112, 166–187 (1971a).
—: Etude préliminaire de l'ultrastructure des corps en bulbe d'oignon présents dans l'organe de Bellonci de certains Crustacés. Observations faites chez Palaemon elegans Rathke Crustacé Décapode Natantia. C. R. Acad. Sci. (Paris) 272, 303–306 (1971b).
Elofsson, R.: The nauplius eye and frontal organs of the non-Malacostraca (Crustacea). Sarsia 25, 1–128 (1966).
- The ultrastructure of a chemoreceptor organ in the head of copepod crustaceans. Acta zool. (Stockh.) (in press).
Gabe, M.: Neurosecretion. Oxford: Pergamon Press 1966.
Hentschel, E.: Neurosekretion und Neurohaemalorgan bei Chirocephalus grubei Dyb. und Artemia salina Leach (Anostraca: Crustacea). Z. wiss. Zool. 171, 44–79 (1965).
Kauri, T.: On the sensory papilla X-organ in cirriped larvae. Crustaceana 11, 115–122 (1966).
- Lake, P. S.: The structure of the organ of Bellonci of the syncarid crustacean, Anaspides tasmaniae. (In preparation.)
Lake, P. S.: Neurosecretion in Chirocephalus diaphanus Prevost (Anostraca). I. Anatomy and cytology of the neurosecretory system. Crustaceana 16, 273–287 (1969).
- Ong, J. E.: Observations of the organ of Bellonci of the shrimp Paratya tasmaniensis Reik (Atyidae: Decapoda) with particular reference to the structure of the onion body cells. (In preparation.)
Menon, M.: Neurosecretory system of Streptocephalus sp. (Anostraca: Branchiopoda). In: International Symposia of Neurosecretion (eds. H. Heller and R. B. Clark), vol. 3 p. 411–414. London-New York: Academic Press 1962.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Additional information
This investigation was supported by grants (to R. E.) 2760-3 and 2760-4 from the Swedish Natural Science Research Council. One of us (P. S. L.) was on sabbatical leave from the University of Tasmania.
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Elofsson, R., Lake, P.S. On the cavity receptor organ (X-organ or organ of Bellonci) of Artemia salina (Crustacea: Anostraca). Z. Zellforsch. 121, 319–326 (1971). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00337636
Received:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00337636