The ultrastructure of the spiral notosetae ofNicomache maculata Arwidsson (Polychaeta, Maldanidae)

Summary

Scanning- and transmission electron microscopy show that the long, thin notosetae ofNicomache maculata are helical over much of their length, and that their finely feathered appearance is produced by a series of minutely spiny scales. The internal structure varies considerably from one end of the seta to the other. While a helical shape could result from a rotating or asymmetrical secretion-rate gradient across the chaetoblast, we raise the possibility that the spiral represents a warp in the seta following deposition of the setal material.