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Structural analysis of the branchiae and dorsal cirri in Eurythoe complanata (Annelida, Amphinomida)

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Abstract

In many polychaete species filamentous, pectinate or arborescence branchiae may be present. In species with well-developed parapodia, such as Amphinomidae and Eunicidae, they are often associated with the notopodia. Mostly they arise close to the dorsal cirrus. Whereas the branchiae are regarded as the main site for respiration, the cirri function as segmentally repeated mechanosensory and chemosensory organs. To date, ultrastructural studies exist only for a limited number of polychaete species, especially with respect to the sensory appendages of parapodia. Therefore, the branchiae and dorsal cirri were investigated with CLSM, SEM and TEM in a species of Amphinomidae, Eurythoe complanata. These studies revealed that the branchiae are complex organs comprising blood vessels, highly developed circular and longitudinal musculature, neurite bundles, numerous sensory cells and a specialized epidermis and cuticle. The cuticle is thinner than on the trunk, and the blood spaces at the presumed respiratory sites are covered by cell processes, about 130–350 nm thin, thus providing a short diffusion distance. Ventilation is facilitated by a continuous, longitudinal ciliary band. In contrast to the uniform sensory equipment of the branchiae, several types of receptor cells are present on the cirri. Besides two different collar receptors as well as other uniciliated and multiciliated sensory cells, the basal joint of the cirri comprises a few phaosomous photoreceptor cells. These are of the rhabdomeric type, and although ectopic light sensitivity was known for other species, herein such cells are structurally characterized in polychaetes for the first time.

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Acknowledgements

We are grateful to the head of our department, Prof Dr. A. Paululat, Osnabrueck, for various kinds of support including hospitality of one of us (DW) and discussions. Thanks are also due to K. Etzold and W. Mangerich, Osnabrueck, for various kinds of technical assistance, particularly for introducing MH and LO to electron microscopy techniques. The project was in part funded by the NSERC (DW).

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  1. Department of Zoology and Developmental Biology, Fachbereich Biologie, University of Osnabrueck, 49069, Osnabrück, Germany

    Günter Purschke, Maja Hugenschütt, Lisa Ohlmeyer & Heiko Meyer

  2. University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, MB, Canada

    Dirk Weihrauch

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  1. Günter Purschke
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  2. Maja Hugenschütt
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Correspondence to Günter Purschke.

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We neither used endangered species nor were the investigated animals collected in protected areas; instead the animals stem from a laboratory culture. All applicable international, national and/or institutional guidelines for the care and use of animals were followed.

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Purschke, G., Hugenschütt, M., Ohlmeyer, L. et al. Structural analysis of the branchiae and dorsal cirri in Eurythoe complanata (Annelida, Amphinomida). Zoomorphology 136, 1–18 (2017). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00435-016-0336-5

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