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The fine structure of photoreceptors in two otoplanid species (Turbellaria, proseriata)

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Summary

The fine structure of the visual clubs was studied in two species of the family Otoplanidae, Otoplana truncaspina and Notocaryoturbella bigermaria. These clubs, which are found inside the cerebral capsule, are characterized by the presence of a disk-shaped photoreceptor process containing membranous laminar or tubular whorls. These cover both faces of the disk. A thin cytoplasmic layer is found between the two faces. This continues with projections which surround the disk border. The major projection, containing the nucleus, shows Golgi apparatuses, numerous vesicles of smooth endoplasmic reticulum, multi-laminar bodies, and mitochondria localized in the region bordering the disk cytoplasm. There are no pigmented cells. The affinities with other cerebral photoreceptors are discussed.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Istituto di Biologia generale dell' University di Pisa, Via Volta 6, I-56100, Pisa, Italy

    C. Bedini & A. Lanfranchi

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  1. C. Bedini
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  2. A. Lanfranchi
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This work was supported by a grant of Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche.

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Bedini, C., Lanfranchi, A. The fine structure of photoreceptors in two otoplanid species (Turbellaria, proseriata). Z. Morph. Tiere 77, 175–186 (1974). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00389903

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00389903

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