Summary
Tissues that have the ultrastructural characteristics of nervous tissues are associated with ciliary and muscular elements of the pluteus larva of Strongylocentrotus purpuratus. The nerve cells are found along the margins of the ciliary bands, which are composed predominantly of spindle-shaped ciliated cells. The nerve cells contribute axonal processes to a tract of axons, which runs at the base of the ciliary band throughout its length. Axonal tracts, in the esophagus, lie beneath the circumesophageal muscles. Branched microvilli, which have been interpreted as sensory receptors, are located on the oral side of the main ciliary band and connect with the nerve cells in the ciliary band. The nervous structures described here, and other tissues of the pluteus that have been previously described as nervous, are compared on the basis of their association with receptor and effector organs, and their ultrastructural characteristics.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Bullock, T.H., Horridge, G.A.: Structure and function in the nervous systems of invertebrates, Vol. 1. San Francisco and London: Freeman and Company 1965
Buznikov, G.A., Chudakova, I.V., Berdysheva, L.V., Vyazmina, N.M.: The role of neurohumors in early embryogenesis II. Acetylcholine and catacholamine content in developing embryos of sea urchins. J. Embryol. exp. Morph. 20, 119–128 (1968)
Buznikov, G.A., Sakharova, A.V., Maukhin, B.N., Markova, L.N.: The role of neurohumors in early embryogenesis IV. Fluorometric and histochemical study of serotonin in cleaving eggs and larvae of sea urchins. J. Embryol. exp. Morph. 27, 339–351 (1972)
Cobb, J.L.S., Pentreath, V.W.: Anatomical studies of simple invertebrate synapses utilizing stage rotation electron microscopy and densitometry. Tissue and Cell 9, 125–135 (1977)
Gustafson, T.: Cell recognition and cell contacts during sea urchin development. In: Cellular recognition (T. Smith and R.A., Good, eds.), pp. 47–60. New York: Appleton-Century-Crofts 1969
Gustafson, T., Lungren, B., Treufeldt, R.: Serotonin and contractile activity in the echinopluteus. A study of the cellular basis of larval behavior. Exp. Cell Res. 72, 115–139 (1972a)
Gustafson, T., Ryberg, E., Treufeldt, R.: Acetylcholine and contractile activity in the echinopluteus. A study of the cellular basis of larval behavior. Acta embr. exp. 2, 199–223 (1972b)
Gustafson, T., Toneby, M.: How genes control morphogenesis. Amer. Sci. 59, 452–462 (1971)
Hinegardner, R.T.: Growth and development of the laboratory cultured sea urchin. Biol. Bull. 137, 465–475 (1969)
MacBride, E.W.: The development of E. esculentus, together with some points on the development of E. miliaris and E. acutus. Phil. Trans. B 195, 285–327 (1903)
MacBride, E.W.: Textbook of embryology Vol. 1 Invertebrata, p. 692. London: Macmillan Publishing Co. 1914
Mackie, G.O., Spencer, A.N., Strathmann, R.R.: Electrical activity associated with ciliary reversal in echinoderm larvae. Nature (Lond.) 223, 1384–1385 (1969)
Millonig, G.: Advantages of a phosphate buffer for OsO4 solutions in fixation. J. appl. Phys. 32, 1637 (1961)
Mortensen, T.H.: Studies of the development and larval forms of echinoderms, p. 253. Copenhagen: G.E.C.Gad. 1921
Ozaki, H.: Localization and multiple forms of acetylcholinesterase in sea urchin embryos. Dev. Growth and Diff. 16, 267–279 (1974)
Pentreath, V.W., Cobb, J.L.S.: Neurobiology of echinodermata. Biol. Rev. 47, 363–392 (1972)
Pitelka, D.R.: Basal bodies and root structures. In: Cilia and Flagella (ed. Sleigh, M.A.), pp. 437–470. New York: Academic Press 1974
Reynolds, E.S.: The use of lead citrate at high pH as an electron-opaque stain in electron microscopy. J. Cell Biol. 17, 208 (1963)
Richardson, K.C., Jarett, L., Fiuke, E.H.: Embedding in epoxy resins for ultrathin sectioning in electron microscopy. Stain. Technol. 35, 313 (1960)
Ryberg, E.: The localization of cholinesterase and nonspecific esterase in the echinopluteus. Zool. Scripta 2, 163–170 (1973)
Ryberg, E.: The nervous system of the early echinopluteus. Cell Tiss. Res. 179, 157–167 (1977)
Strathmann, R.R.: The behavior of planktotrophic echinoderm larvae: mechanisms, regulation, and rates of suspension feeding. J. exp. mar. Biol. Ecol. 6, 109–160 (1971)
Strathmann, R.R., Jahn, T.L., Fonesca, J.R.: Suspension feeding by marine invertebrate larvae: clearance of particles by ciliated bands of a rotifer, pluteus, and trochophore. Biol. Bull. 142, 505–519 (1972)
Watson, M.L.: Staining of tissue sections for electron microscopy with heavy metals II. Application of solutions containing lead and barium. J. biophys. biochem. Cytol. 4, 475–479 (1958)
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Burke, R.D. The structure of the nervous system of the pluteus larva of Strongylocentrotus purpuratus . Cell Tissue Res. 191, 233–247 (1978). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00222422
Accepted:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00222422