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Club-shaped gland and endostyle in larval Branchiostoma lanceolatum (Cephalochordata)

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Summary

The larval endostyle consists of two ridges of secretory cells, which correspond to the two paired muciparous bands in the endostyles of the adult Branchiostoma, most tunicates, and the lamprey ammocoete. The peculiar shape of the larval endostyle is an effective adaption for food-trapping in the asymmetrical body of the larva. Contrary to general belief, the internal opening of the club-shaped gland is the site of the secretory release, while the exernal opening is an inlet for sea water. The water is mixed with the mucous substance, probably containing neutral glycoproteins, which is produced in the gland tube. This material is released through the internal pore dorsally in the buccal cavity at a position where it is carried with the endostylar secretion towards the intestine. The club-shaped gland is not part of the food-trapping mechanism, but it is apparently an important larval gland which produces substances which may act in the processing of the food or in some other way may direct larval life.

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  1. Department of Zoology, University of Stockholm, S-106 91, Stockholm, Sweden

    R. Olsson

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  1. R. Olsson
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Olsson, R. Club-shaped gland and endostyle in larval Branchiostoma lanceolatum (Cephalochordata). Zoomorphology 103, 1–13 (1983). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00312054

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00312054

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