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Electron microscopy of some primary receptors in the sucker ofOctopus vulgaris

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Summary

Electron microscopic observations are reported concerning the structure of sensory cells found in great numbers in the sucker ofOctopus vulgaris. These primary receptors have a variable number of cilia, whose structure closely resembles those previously described in motile cilia of vertebrates as well as invertebrate animals. The possibility that the intraepithelial receptors may be chemo-sensitive rather than mechanoreceptors is suggested. The structural complexity of the proximal ends of the cilia as well as the different numbers found in each cell remain to be interpreted in relation to the sensory nature of the cell.

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This work was done at University College London, while I was in receipt of a Medical Research Council grant.

I am indebted to Prof.J. Z. Young, F.R.S. for his stimulating support and advice, to Dr.E. G. Gray who advised and made this work possible. My thanks are due to Mrs.M. Nixon for helping with the manuscript, Mrs.J. I. Astafief for making the drawings and to Mr.S. Waterman for the photographs.

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Graziadei, P. Electron microscopy of some primary receptors in the sucker ofOctopus vulgaris . Z.Zellforsch 64, 510–522 (1964). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01045122

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01045122

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