Summary
The fine structure of receptor and epithelial cells in the retina of the pacific hagfish, Polistotrema stouti, has been investigated and compared with previous observations made in the atlantic hagfish, Myxine glutinosa. The receptor cells in Polistotrema have cylindrical outer segments which consist of numerous discs arranged perpendicularly to the long axis of the cell. Characteristic synaptic bodies (synaptic lamellae) occur at the receptor base. Membranous inclusions in the epithelial cells suggest phagocytosis of outer segments. In Myxine, the outer segments are whorl-like, and synaptic bodies are absent at the receptor base. There are no signs of phagocytosis in the epithelial cells. The results are discussed from a functional and phylogenetical point of view.
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This work was supported in part by grants 2124 and 2127–36 from Statens Naturvetenskapliga Forskningsråd, and in part by grants from Axel och Margaret Ax: son Johnsons Stiftelse and Fonden för främjande av ograduerade forskares vetenskapliga verksamhet, Stockholms universitet.
I am indebted to Dr. R. Olsson for many helpful discussions; to Dr. N. Henderson, University of Washington, and Dr. S. Johnson, Hopkins Marine Station, for provision of material; to Miss W. Carlsson and Miss Y. Lilliemarck for able technical assistance; to Miss B. Mayrhofer for excellent drawings; and to Dr. T. Barnard for critically reading the manuscript.
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Holmberg, K. The hagfish retina: Electron microscopic study comparing receptor and epithelial cells in the pacific hagfish, Polistotrema stouti, with those in the atlantic hagfish, Myxine glutinosa . Z. Zellforsch. 121, 249–269 (1971). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00340676
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00340676