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Fine structure and function of the digestive tract of Cyathura carinata (Krøyer) (Crustacea, Isopoda)

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Summary

The entire gut of Cyathura carinata is lined by a cuticle indicating its completely ectodermal origin. By flattening of the epithelial folds and possibly also of reserve-folds of the plasma membrane the intestine is highly dilatable, an adaptation towards a rapid uptake of the food which is sucked in by means of specialized mouthparts, which pierce the body wall of its main prey, the polychaete Nereis diversicolor. Bundles of microtubules within the intestinal cells presumably represent cytoskeletal structures providing protection against mechanical stress. Spirally arranged muscle fibres, which form peculiar contact areas with the gut, can easily follow any dilatation. A few indications of the metabolic functions of the anterior gut epithelium have been found: Basally and apically located labyrinthine structures of the plasma membrane, apically located clear vesicles, positive reactions for lysosomal, mitochondrial and membraneous enzymes, a strikingly thin and loosely arranged cuticle through which food substances of low molecular weight may diffuse. The cells of the gut and also of the digestive caeca are interconnected by desmosomes, extensive pleated septate junctions, and gap junctions. In the pleon the gut is less dilatable and devoid of plasma membrane specializations. In this area tendon cells, particularly rich in microtubules, serve as attachment sites for the dilating muscles of the rectum. The digestive caeca synthetize and secrete digestive enzymes, mix food and enzymes in their lumen, resorb food molecules, store lipids and glycogen. In the glandular epithelium small cells, rich in rough ER, and a majority of large cells, rich in lipid droplets, occur which, however, are interconnected by a series of morphologically intermediate cells. All cells bear an apical brush border, form a basal labyrinth and contain high to medium activities of acid phosphatase, nonspecific esterases, ATPase, and succinic dehydrogenase. The ER-rich cells are far less frequent than in the omnivorous or herbivorous isopods (Sphaeroma, Idothea, Asellidae, Oniscoidea).

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Fachbereich IV, Universität Oldenburg, Ammerländer Heerstr. 67-99, D-2900, Oldenburg, Germany

    Johann-Wolfgang Wägele

  2. Anatomisches Institut, Universität Kiel, Olshausenstr. 40-60, D-2300, Kiel, Germany

    Ulrich Welsch & Waltraud Müller

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  1. Johann-Wolfgang Wägele
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  2. Ulrich Welsch
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  3. Waltraud Müller
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Wägele, JW., Welsch, U. & Müller, W. Fine structure and function of the digestive tract of Cyathura carinata (Krøyer) (Crustacea, Isopoda). Zoomorphology 98, 69–88 (1981). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00310321

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