Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Ultrastructure of the tube foot sucker of a regular echinoid,Diadema antillarum Philippi, with especial reference to secretory cells

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

Summary

Suckers of principal tube feet of a regular echinoid,Diadema antillarum, are described in an electron microscopic study. Reference is made to secretory cells and nervous elements in the sucker and their possible significance in adhesion is considered and discussed. In particular, a granule-filled secretory cell-type is described that possesses long tracts down which the granules pass to terminate on the contact edge of the sucker in secretion packets. A second cell condition is described that may represent the secretory cells in a degranulated state. The appearance and significance of mucus-producing cells in the sucker is also considered.

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

Access this article

Log in via an institution

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

  • Buchanan, J. B.: A re-examination of the glandular elements in the tube feet of some common British Ophiuroids. Proc. zool. Soc. Lond.138, 645–650 (1962).

    Google Scholar 

  • Chaet, A. B., andD. E. Philpott: A new subcellular particle secreted by the starfish. J. Ultrastruct. Res.11, 354–362 (1964).

    Google Scholar 

  • Cuénot, L.: Echinodermes. In: Traité de Zoologie (ed.P-P. Grassé). Paris: Masson & Cie. 1948.

    Google Scholar 

  • Harrison, G. A.: Light and electron microscopic studies of secretion packets having adhesive qualities in the tube feet of echinoderms. 6th Int. Cong. Electr. Micr., Kyoto, Japan2, 411–412 (1966).

  • —: Subcellular particles in Echinoderm tube feet. II. Class Holothuroidea. J. Ultrastruct. Res.23, 124–133 (1968).

    Google Scholar 

  • —, andD. Philpott: Subcellular particles in Echinoderm tube feet. I. Class Asteroidea. J. Ultrastruct. Res.16, 537–547 (1966).

    Google Scholar 

  • Lane, B. P., andD. L. Europa: Differential staining of ultrathin sections of epon-embedded tissues for light microscopy. J. Histochem. Cytochem.13, 579–582 (1965).

    Google Scholar 

  • Millott, N., andR. Coleman: The podial pit — a new structure in the EchinoidDiadema antillarum Philippi. Z. Zellforsch.95, 187–197 (1969).

    Google Scholar 

  • Mortensen, T.: In: A monograph of the Echinoidea. III (i), 245. Copenhagen: Reitzel 1940.

    Google Scholar 

  • Nichols, D.: A comparative histological study of the tube feet of two regular Echinoids. Quart. J. micr. Sci.102, 157–180 (1961).

    Google Scholar 

  • —: In: Echinoderms. London: Hutchinson 1962.

    Google Scholar 

  • Paine, V. L.: Adhesion of the tube feet in starfishes. J. exp. Zool.45, 361–366 (1926).

    Google Scholar 

  • Pearse, A. G. E.: Common cytochemical and ultrastructural characteristics of cells producing polypeptide hormones (the APUD series) and their relevance to thyroid and ultimobranchial C cells and calcitonin. Proc. roy. Soc. B170, 71–80 (1968).

    Google Scholar 

  • Reynolds, E. S.: The use of lead citrate at high pH as an electronopaque stain in electron microscopy. J. Cell Biol.17, 208–212 (1963).

    Google Scholar 

  • Smith, J. E.: The structure and function of the tube feet in certain Echinoderms. J. Mar. Biol. Ass.22, 345–357 (1937).

    Google Scholar 

  • —: The motor nervous system of the starfish,Astropecten irregularis (Pennant) with special reference to the innervation of the tube feet and ampullae. Phil. Trans. B234, 521–558 (1950).

    Google Scholar 

  • Souza Santos, H. de: Estudo da ultraestrutura dos pés ambulacrários deAsterina stellifera (Hupé)-Echinodermata-Astéroidea. Bolm. Fac. Filos. Ciênc. Univ. S. Paulo25, 175–229 (1965).

    Google Scholar 

  • —: The ultrastructure of the mucous granules from starfish tube feet. J. Ultrastruct. Res.16, 259–268 (1966).

    Google Scholar 

  • Warshawsky, H., andG. Moore: A technique for the fixation and decalcification of rat incisors for electron microscopy. J. Histochem. Cytochem.15, 542–549 (1967).

    Google Scholar 

  • Watson, M. L.: Staining of tissue sections for electron microscopy with heavy metals. J. biophys. biochem. Cytol.4, 475–478 (1958).

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Zoology, Bedford College, University of London, England

    R. Coleman

Authors
  1. R. Coleman
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Additional information

I am indebted to ProfessorN. Millott for his help and encouragement during the course of this work, to Mr.Raynor L. Jones for his expert technical assistance, and to Dr.H. G. Vevers and the Zoological Society of London.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Coleman, R. Ultrastructure of the tube foot sucker of a regular echinoid,Diadema antillarum Philippi, with especial reference to secretory cells. Z. Zellforsch. 96, 151–161 (1969). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00338763

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00338763

Keywords

Search

Navigation