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Structure, iodination and growth of the axial skeletons of Muricea californica and M. fruticosa (Coelenterata: Gorgonacea)

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Abstract

Axial skeletons of two closely related, sympatric species of gorgonians were examined for details of gross morphology, internal organization and fine structure. Banded fibers with a periodicity of 430 Å and oriented circum-axially to the longitudinal axis of the skeleton (i.e., lying on the plane perpendicular to the axis), were revealed by electron microscopy in the axial skeleton of Muricea californica; they indicate the presence of a collagen-like protein in the gorgoin of this species. No circum-axial fibers were found in the axial skeleton of M. fruticosa. Differences in fine structure are related to gross morphological differences in the skeletons. A sequence of events for the addition of new material to the axial skeleton (growth) is described based on histological observation. Iodine-125 is used as a tracer for the deposition of new skeletal material, and is suggested as a new method for studying gorgonian growth rates.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Scripps Institution of Oceanography, La Jolla, California, USA

    A. Szmant-Froelich

  2. Graduate School of Oceanography, University of Rhode Island, 02881, Kingston, Rhole Island, USA

    A. Szmant-Froelich

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  1. A. Szmant-Froelich
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Communicated by J. Bunt, Miami

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Szmant-Froelich, A. Structure, iodination and growth of the axial skeletons of Muricea californica and M. fruticosa (Coelenterata: Gorgonacea). Mar. Biol. 27, 299–306 (1974). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00394365

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00394365

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