ALBERT

Notes: Pyroantimonate precipitate indicates that the epithelium of the proximal tubule is the only segment of the tubular nephron of the fresh water lamprey where large accumlations of cations are distributed. Unusually large amounts of reaction product are located within the lateral intercellular spaces and within vesicles closely associated with the plasma membrane at the lateral and basal surfaces. This technique suggests the continuity of these vesicles with the plasma membrane and alludes to the possibility of an endomembranous system of vesicles and the intercellular spaces as vehicles for ion transport. Lateral intercellular spaces of proximal tubules of lower vertebrates may play a different role in kidney function that their counterparts in higher vertebrates.Osmium-zinc iodide has a specificity for certain cells within the proximal, intermediate, and distal segments, but no structural differences are noted when these cells are compared to unstained cells. Smooth endoplasmic reticulum remains unstained in the distal segment but the stain has a strong affinity for elements of the Golgi apparatus, lysosomes, and the nuclear envelope of all cell types. This technique does not suggest a structural or functional similarity between cells of the distal segment and the chloride cells of the gills of teleosts.

Notes: Anatomical analysis of the forebrain and midbrain of Anelytropsis, Dibamus and feyliniids reveals structural similarities with those of skinks and snakes. Skinks and feyliniids are probably derived from a common ancestral stock. This is suggested by mutual reduction of several telencephalic nuclei, by similar trends in the development of the dorsal thalamus, and by similarities in the lamination of their optic tecta. Anelytropsis, Dibamus, feyliniids and snakes show interdigitation of the periventricular gray zones of the optic tectum and enlargement of lamina 7 of the posterior colliculus. Of these three taxa, Dibamus is most similar to burrowing snakes and many of its brain characters are intermediate between skinks and burrowing snakes. These similarities may suggest common ancestry between Dibamus and snakes rather than parallelism.

Notes: It is possible to monitor the electrical activity of the motor neurons of Drosophila by recording the electrical activity of the muscle fibers. We have found that it is possible to specify the location of the subcuticular terminations and to describe the orientation within the thorax for the individual muscle fibers, because of the large size of the fibers and because the surface anatomy of Drosophila is known in detail. A map has been made to indicate the location of the muscle fibers with respect to superficial landmarks. The importance of the stereotaxic map for physiological studies is discussed.

Notes: The functional anatomy of pulmonary ventilation in Thamnophis elegans was studied by electromyography. Flow of air into and out of the lungs follows a triphasic pattern and occurs while the glottis is held open by a dilator muscle. Non-ventilatory rest periods characterized by a closed glottis and lack of ventilatory movements occur between breaths. Exhalation is caused by contraction of a pair of dorsolateral sheets of muscle that extends from the ventral surface of the vertebral column to the medial surfaces of the ribs and a pair of ventro-lateral sheets that extends from the medial surfaces of the ribs to the mid-ventral skin. Inspiration is powered by contraction of a series of rib levators and retractors. The last phase of the ventilatory cycle is a passive expiration that may be caused by elastic recoil of the walls of the filled lungs and relaxation of muscles used during inspiration. The site of respiratory pumping is shifted craniad after large prey items have been completely ingested. The significance of this shift and its anatomical basis are considered.

Notes: As seen in transverse section, doublet elements of the axial unit of spermatozoa of Haematolocchus medioplexus, a frog lung-fluke, possess walls made up of protofibrillar subunits 50-60 Å in diameter. The partition between A and B members of a doublet element often show extra protofibrils which may partially occlude the “lumen” of the A tubule. Each A tubule possesses outer and inner lateral arms which repeat at longitudinal intervals of about 215 Å and which appear to be structurally dissimilar; the outer arm is expanded at its free end and the inner arm often connects to the B tubule of the adjacent doublet element. Regularly-spaced radial links connect the central sheath of an inner core complex to the A tubules of the peripheral doublet elements. Tests for magnesium-activated ATPase activity provide evidence that the enzyme is associated with the surfaces of doublet elements and the surface of the central sheath. Finally, study of an axial unit which developed in an abnormal manner suggests that normal differentiation of an axial unit may depend on the elaboration of a core complex and radial links.

Notes: This is the first demonstration of an apparent acrosome reaction by the use of negative staining (phosphotungstic acid) and electron microscopy. It is also the first report of such a reaction in spermatozoa of an oligochaete annelid (Lumbricus terrestris). The morphology of the negatively stained unreacted acrosomal complexes is entirely comparable to that seen in sectioned material. After reaction, a short straight filament is extruded and the compartmentalization seen in unreacted spermatozoa is no longer visible. In the flagellar axoneme there are short cross-bridges linking the two central singlet microtubules at 150-170 Å intervals. Two fibrous elements are also present, forming, with the singlets, a tetragon. All four of these structures apparently change their elastic properties after incubation in distilled water for two hours, so that instead of following the doublet microtubules in gentle coils, the central complex components fall as a unit in jagged configurations.

Notes: Serial sections of embryonic rat eyes were stained with hematoxylin and eosin, quantified (by counting pycnotic and viable nuclei), reproduced by camera lucida on wax plates, and moulded into reconstructions in order to study the normal progression of cellular death during morphogenesis. At least nine distinct necrotic loci (A through I) can be distinguished. Immediately following contact between the retina and surface ectoderm (day 11) degenerating cells were observed in (A) the ventral extent of the optic vesicle, beginning in the mid-retinal primordium and continuing ventrally in the optic stalk, (B) in the rostral optic stalk base, and (C) in the surface ectoderm encircling the early lens placode. No degeneration was observed in the dorsal half of the presumptive retina, in the entire pigment epithelium, or in the lens placode proper. During day 11.5 the lens placode thickens and forms a degenerating locus (D) in its ventral portion opposite the underlying pycnotic zone in the retina (A). During day 12 the ventral pycnotic zone (A) divides into two subunits (A1 and A2). Invagination of the lens displaces its marginal and ventral components (C and D) so that they come to occupy the lens pore area and presumptive corneal epithelium. Simultaneous invagination of the retinal rudiment juxtaposes the pigment epithelium which concurrently forms a necrotic area (E) adjacent ventrally to that in the retina (A1). Degeneration appears in the caudal optic stalk (I). The density of viable cells decreases adjacent to pycnotic areas in the retina and pigment epithelium and increases within these death centers. During day 13 the optic fissure forms within the subunits of the ventral pycnotic zone (A1 and A2). Degenerations are seen in the dorsal optic stalk (F) and in the walls of the optic fissure (G and H). Throughout these stages necrosis appears only in those portions of the eye rudiment where invagination is either retarded or completely absent.In part, these observations suggest that cell death serves (1) to retard or inhibit invagination within death centers, (2) to integrate the series of invaginations which mould the dorsal optic cup and optic fissure, (3) to assist formation of the pigment epithelium monolayer, and (4) to orient the lens vesicle within the eye cup. The spatio-temporal relationship between necrotic loci suggests that pycnotic cells in the retina may influence their production in the lens and pigment epithelium. Preliminary observations on the mouse, pig, and human substantiate those on the rat.

Notes: The ultrastructural features of cardiac muscle cells and their innervation were examined in the tarantula spider Eurypelma marxi Simon. The cells are transversely striated and have an A band length of about three microns. H zones are indistinct and M lines are absent. Thick and thin myofilament diameters are approximately 200 and 70 Å respectively. Eight to 12 thin filaments usually surround each thick one. Accumulations of thick and thin myofilaments occur perpendicular to the bulk of the myofilaments in some cells. The Z line is discontinuous and thick filaments may pass through the spaces in the Z line. Extensive systems of sarcoplasmic reticulum and transverse tubules are present; these form numerous dyadic junctions in both A and I band regions. Sarcolemmal invaginations form Z line tubules; lateral extensions of the plasma membrane portion of these invaginations form dyads. Nerve branches of the cardiac ganglion make multiple neuromuscular synapses with at least some of the cardiac muscle cells. Both large granular and small agranular vesicles are present in the presynaptic terminals. Intercalated discs similar to those present in other arthropod hearts occur between the ends of adjacent cardiac muscle cells.

Notes: A cinematographic analysis of the unrestrained walking, trotting, galloping, jumping and landing movements of 11 adult cats was undertaken to provide previously unavailable information concerning the demands imposed on the nervous system for the control of low and high speed movements and the demands imposed by such natural movements on muscle performance and proprioceptive response.With due regard for the swing (F and E1) and stance (E2 and E3) phases of the step cycle of an individual limb, single frame analysis of the film permitted measurement of instantaneous angles of the lower spine, hip, knee, ankle and metatarsophalangeal joints. Appropriate lever arm measurements were also made on 50 freshly dispatched cats and 25 cadavers such that the Law of Cosines could be used to calculate instantaneous lengths of select hind limb muscles that would apply to the natural movements of adult cats of small (1.5-2.5 Kg), intermediate (2.6-3.5 Kg) and large (3.6-4.5 Kg) size. Muscle displacements were analyzed relative to maximum and minimus in situ lengths and the lengths associated with quiet standing. Use was also made of a previous electromyographic analysis of hind limb muscles during unrestrained locomotion (Engberg and Lundberg, '69).The sequential relations between the four phases of the step cycle are maintained as forward speed increases from walking ( 〈 2 mph) to high speed galloping ( 〉 16 mph). There are significant differences in the time consumed by each phase, however, with a greater reduction in the E3 phase, little reduction in the E2 and E1 phases and virtually no reduction in the F phase. When each phase is expressed as a relative percentage of the duration of the total step cycle, the greatest reduction is again in E3 with little change in the E2 phase. In contrast F and E1 phases increase in the percent of time they occur in each cycle, with the greatest increase in the F phase. For all speeds, analysis of the phase relations between movements of various sections of the hind limb revealed a remarkable unity of knee and ankle joint movement. The hip joint is largely out of phase with the knee and ankle during E1 and E2, all three joints being in phase in F and E3. The digits are essentially out of phase with the other joints except in the stance phase of the gallop.Rates and extents of muscle displacement during natural movements are greater than might be anticipated when expressed in absolute mm's and mm/sec but not when considered in relation to maximum and minimum in situ length and the length associated with quiet standing (Ls). During stepping a progressive increase in forward speed results in: (a) a greater usage of muscles at lengths between Ls and maximum in situ length; (b) for knee and ankle extensors, pronounced increase in the lengthening contraction associated with the E2 (yield) phase of step; and, (c) for both flexor and extensor muscles, an increased active phase of lengthening or near isometric contraction immediately prior to periods of active shortening. In contrast to these changes in active muscle status, the change from walking to galloping has little effect on the extent and rate of passive muscle displacements, particularly the F phase stretch of extensors.For the soleus muscle, calculations were made of the relation between changes in overall muscle length during natural movements and the length of the average muscle fiber and the tendon of insertion. These measurements revealed that the increases in fiber length when passive and decreases in length during active shortening are less than would be anticipated from the extensive liteature on extirpated fibers. In contrast, the increase in fiber length when active is greater than would be expected from the admittedly sparse literature on this subject.The results of this study are discussed largely in relation to two points of neurophysiological interest: the physiological range of muscle stretch as it pertains to the responsiveness of muscle spindles and tendon organs; and those mechanical aspects of lengthening contractions that give insight into the neural control of stepping. For exciting both spindles and tendon organs passive muscle stretch and shortening contractions are shown to be relatively ineffective and lengthening and isometric contractions particularly effective movements. It is suggested that, just as recent literature has emphasized the co-activation of efferent alpha and gamma motoneurons as a muscle becomes active, so too is there a synchronous activation of afferents, particularly the Ia and group II endings of muscle spindles and Ib endings of tendon organs. Finally the thesis is advanced that, while it has been convenient to separate E2 from E3 in the description of the stance phase of the step cycle, extensor muscles are actually undergoing a single mechanical event: an active stretch-shorten cycle for knee and ankle extensors and an active isometric-shorten cycle for hip extensors. This hypothesis has significant implications for the neural control program that regulates the stepping sequence in that it emphasizes the extent to which appropriate changes must be preprogrammed in the mechanical properties of muscles for the smooth execution of stepping.

Notes: Cytological and cytochemical methods were used to identify and characterzie six distinct regions of the crayfish kidney: coelomosac, labyrinth I and II, and nephridial canal I, II, and III. Cells of the coelomosac possess cytoplasm which is strongly PAS-positive, but poor in RNA and protein. Their nuclei possess unusual projections which extend to the basal plasmalemma. Labyrinth I contains columnar cells rich in glycogen. Labyrinth II is characterized by a distended lumen and by shorter cells with high cytoplasmic RNA, many possessing a large intracellular vacuole. A PAS-positive brush border is unique to the two portions of the labyrinth. Cells in the nephridial canal show strong reactions for RNA and Mg++-dependent ATPase. In nephridial canal I and II, cells are flattened to cuboidal with the lumen being more distended in nephridial canal I than anywhere else in the tubule. In nephridial canal III, the cells are large and columnar, and the cytoplasmic RNA concentration is greatest apically. Nuclei in all regions of the tubule epithelium, except coelomosac, are large and react strongly for protein. Coelomosac nuclei and those in blood cells are condensed and contain little protein. The cytoplasm of blood cells displays a significant amount of RNA, and traces of polysaccharide material.These observations demonstrate the presence of highly specialized morphological and histochemical alterations along the length of the kidney tubule and indicate sequential modification of urine in the lumen. Evident morphological and cytochemical likenesses between analogous regions of the mammlian nephron and the crayfish kidney tubule suggest that basic physiological similarities may also exist.

Notes: In the tiger salamnder the distribution of optic fibers, as revealed by the Fink-Heimer method, is compared with the localization of acetylcholinesterase, as revealed by histochemical methods. AChE activity coincides with optic nerve axons in the optic fiber layer of the retina, in the optic nerve, in the optic tracts and in every optic projection. Reginons of optic fiber terminals show heavier activity than optic fibers of passage. Comparison with other vertebrates is also made.

Notes: The spleen of the adult gerbil (M. unguiculatus) is characterized by the absence of venous sinuses and ellipsoid sheaths. The follicle (white pulp) is separated from the surrounding red pulp by a distinct marginal zone. The cell types in the marginal zone are common to both the follicle and red pulp. Separating the marginal zone from the follicle is a vascular channel of capillary dimension, the marginal sinus. A number of terminal segments of the arterial vessels within the follicle were observed to form a direct connection with the marginal sinus. Ultrastructurally, discontinuities were evident within the walls of the marginal sinus that would permit passage of both cellular and plasma components from the marginal sinus to either marginal zone or the follicle.

Notes: The innervation of each of the muscles involved in mediating head movement in the desert locust Schistocerca gregaria is described in detail. The number of motor neurones to each muscle and the neutral pathway and ganglion of origin of each are deduced from both histological and electrophysiological evidence. Only two of the muscles are, on histological evidence, innervated by as few as four different neurones, while several receive more than ten, and one at least 13. Individual muscles are shown physiologically to receive, in a few cases, as many as six different motor neurones. At least six muscles are innervated by motor neurones originating in more than one ganglion. One group of four muscles consisting in total of less than 100 muscle fibres receives more than 20 different motor neurones from three different ganglia through three or four different nerve roots. In these muscles, many single muscle fibres receive innervation from at least two different ganglia. It is concluded that the segmental nature of an insect muscle can not be deduced solely from a knowledge of the ganglion of origin of the motor innervation to that muscle. The innervation patterns that exist today must reflect past evolutionary development, but changes in the peripheral distribution of motor neurones, or migration of motor neurone cell bodies from one ganglion to another, or the development of additional motor neurones, or several of these factors together, must have formed a part of that development.

Notes: 1. Forty-eight species of oribatids in 37 families representing most of the superfamilies were collected from various environments (littoral, salt marsh, litter, sod, and freshwater) and sectioned.2. The coxal gland is composed of a sacculus and a labyrinth in all stages of all oribatid species. Muscles, originating on the body wall, insert at several points on the thin-walled sacculus which opens into the labyrinth. The labyrinth has an internal, chitinous supporting skeleton. The type A labyrinth has 3-180° bends, producing four parallel regions, and occurs in all inferior oribatids. The type B labyrinth has 1-180° bend, producing two parallel regions, and occurs in all superior oribatids. The coxal gland duct and the lateral gland duct join, penetrate the body wall, and empty into the posterior end of the podocephalic canal. All oribatids have lateral accessory glands, but only inferior oribatids have rostral and medial glands. Three ductless coxendral bodies are always present.3. The labyrinth length in oribatids is correlated with body size and the environment of the species. Oribatids from sod, leaflitter, or moss show a simple correlation of labyrinth length (X) to total body length (Y) where Y = 4.64X. Freshwater species have a labyrinth length greater than that of comparably sized terrestrial species and salt water (littoral) species have a labyrinth length less than that of comparably sized terrestrial species. There is a greater reduction in labyrinth length in species restricted to salt marshes than in species not restricted to salt marshes.4. The probable function of oribatid coxal glands is osmoregulation. Hemolymph filtration would occur across the sacculus by positive hemolymph pressure and contraction of the sacculus muscles. Resorption of ions would occur in the labyrinth, which is noncollapsible due to the internal skeleton. The hypothesis is that in freshwater species the rate of filtration is high and resorption of ions would have to be very efficient, therefore they have an elongated labyrinth; but in salt water species water loss must be minimized and preservation of ions would be a disadvantage, therefore they have a shortened labyrinth. Excre ion may also be a function of the coxal glands. The lateral gland may possibly function as an endocrine gland involved with production of a molting hormone. The rostral glands in inferior oribatids may have a salivary function.5. The coxal glands of Peripatus, some millipedes, apterygote insects, decapod crustaceans, and all arachnid orders are homologous. The Tetrastigmata, Notostigmata, Cryptostigmata, and soft ticks have typical arachnid coxal glands. The coxal glands of higher Prostigmata may be modified into salivary, silk, or venom glands. The coxal glands in Mesostigmata, Astigmata, and hard ticks are lacking or highly modified.

Notes: The blood system of the flabelligerid polychaete, Flabelliderma commensalis has been explored by dissection, light and electron microscopy and absorption spectrophotometry. The main longitudinal vessels are the dorsal, ventral, perineural, sub-oesophageal, supra-oesophageal and heart. Each segment has a segmental vessel which communicates with the dorsal vessel in thoracic setigers and the gut sinus in abdominal setigers. Branches of the segmental vessels in setigers 2-9 supply the gonads. A blood sinus envelopes most of the gut. Circulation is maintained by the pumping of the heart which immediately supplies blood to the supra-oesophageal ganglion, the branchiae and the palps. These are paralleled by a system of collecting vessels. The sinus of the supra-oesophageal ganglion receives a number of different axonal endings, some of which may be neurosecretory. The retroperitoneal vessels in their most developed form are composed of an intima, longitudinal and circular muscles and a peritoneum. The heart vessel contains a cardiac body whose cells appear to contain vacuoles of blood pigment. The blood pigment exhibits the absorption characteristics of a chlorocruorin with maxima at 438, 558 and 606 nm.

Notes: Attachment of muscle of the integument was studied in two species of Balanidae, Balanus balanoides and B. improvisus with electron microscopy. Specilalized epithelial cells (tendon cells) intervene between the muscle and overlying cuticle. An extensive desmosome-like junction exists between these two tissues. The tendon cell contains huge amounts of microtubules aligned parallel to the long axis of the inserting muscle. Tension exerted by contracting muscles is conveyed to the chitinous exoskeleton via the specially organized tendon cells and the extensive myo-tendinal cell junctions.

Notes: Among ants, Cataglyphis bicolor shows the best performance in optical orientation. Its eye is of the apposition type with a fused rhabdom. Morphological studies on the general struture of the eye as well as the effect of light have been carried out with transmission and scanning electron microscopy.An ommatidium is composed of a dioptric apparatus, consisting of a cornea, corneal process and a crystalline cone, the sensory retinula, which is made up of eight retinula cells in the distal half and of an additional ninth one in the proximal half. The ommatidia are separated from each other by two primary pigment cells, which surround the crystalline cone and an average of 12 secondary pigment cells, which reach from cornea to the basement membrane.The eye of Cataglyphis bicolor possesses a light intensity dependent adaptation mechanism, which causes a radial and distal movement of the pigment granules within the retinula cells and a dilatation of cisternae of the ER along the rhabdom.Until now, no overall order in arrangement of retinula cells or direction of microvilli has been found from ommatidium to ommatidium. Such an order, however, must exist, either on the retina or the lamina level, since we have proven the ant's capacity for polarized light analysis.

Notes: Wild-collected adults of Bombina orientalis are bright green dorsally and red to red-orange ventrally. As a prelude to an analysis of the differentiation of pigment cells in developing B. orientalis, we describe structural and chemical aspects of the fully differentiated pigment pattern of the “normal” adult.Structurally, differences between dorsal green and ventral red skin are summarized as follows: (1) Dorsal green skin contains a “typical” dermal chromatophore unit comprised of melanophores, iridophores, and xanthophores. Red skin contains predominantly carotenoid-containing xanthophores (erythrophores), and skin from black spot areas contains only melanophores. (2) In ventral red skin, there is also a thin layer of deep-lying iridophores that presumably are not involved in the observed color pattern. (3) Xanthophores of red and green skin are morphologically distinguishable from each other. Dorsal skin xanthophores contain both pterinosomes and carotenoid vesicles; ventral skin xanthophores contain only carotenoid vesicles. Carotenoid vesicles in dorsal xanthophores are much larger but less electron dense than comparable structures in ventral xanthophores.The presence of carotenes in ventral skin accounts for the bright red-orange color of the belly of this frog. Similar pigments are also present in green skin, but in smaller quantities and in conjunction with both colored (yellow) and colorless pteridines. From spectral data obtained for xanthophore pigments and structural data obtained from the size and arrangement of reflecting platelets in the iridophore layer, we attempt to explain the phenomenon of observed green color in B. orientalis.

Notes: This study describes intercellular bridges in the ovaries of neonatal gerbils. Electron microscopy has revealed the presence of true intercellular bridges, connecting oogonia or oocytes, in ovaries of newborn gerbils. The cytoplasm of the intercellular channels is similar to that of the connected cells, with mitochondria, smooth and rough endoplasmic reticulum, and free ribosomes present. Lysosomes are also occasionally present in the intercellular bridges and they may be involved in early waves of oocyte atresia. An electrondense substance, 350-500 Å thick, is located immediately beneath the unit membrane of the intercellular bridges. Accumulation of electron-dense material increases the thickness of the walls of the intercellular bridges, supporting and maintaining the patency of the channels. It is suggested that the intercellular channels probably allow the interchange of nutrients, organelles, and possibly regulatory materials as well.

Notes: A comparative study of the forelimbs of the semifossorial prairie dog, Cynomys gunnisoni, and the scansorial tree squirrel, Sciurus niger, was focused on the musculoskeletal design for digging in the former and climbing in the latter. Based on lever arm mechanics, it was expected that the forelimb of the prairie dog would show features appropriate to the production of relatively large forces and that of the fox squirrel to relatively great velocity. Force and lever arm measurements were made of select forelimb muscles at the shoulder, elbow, and wrist joints for a series of angles in both species. Contraction time and fatigue indexes were determined for the same forelimb muscles. Contrary to expectation, in the few cases in which significant (P 〈 .05) differences were found, the forces, lever arms, and torques (force times its lever arm) were greater in the smaller fox squirrel. The observed variation in the torques produced fits the demands on the forelimb during climbing and digging as estimated from films. Several forelimb muscles of the fox squirrel show significantly higher mean contraction times than do the homologous muscles of the prairie dog. There were no significant differences between the two species in the fatigability of the selected forelimb muscles, although the mean fatigue index was always higher (less fatigable muscle) in the prairie dog. Similarities in the forelimbs of these two sciurids suggest that only minor modifications may have been required of the ancestral forelimb in order for descendent forms to operate successfully as climbers and diggers.

Notes: The anatomy of neurons of the stomatogastric nervous system of Ascheta domesticus was studied using heavy metal iontophoresis through cut nerve ends followed by silver intensification. Nineteen categories of neuron are described and compared with neurons known from the stomatogastric nervous system of other insects. Possible functions for the neurons are suggested. Motor neuron candidates are suggested for all parts of the gut served by the stomatogastric nervous system, and axons of sensory neurons of the anterior pharynx are located. There are four neuron types that cannot readily be assigned motor, sensory, or interneuron functions: large dorsal cells of the frontal ganglion; the two neurons of the nervus connectivus, and two categories of neurons in the median neurosecretory cell group of the pars intercerebralis, the axons of which are contained in the stomatogastric nerves.

Notes: In the pedicellar segment of the fly antenna there is a large campaniform sensillum. The central projection of the sensory cell (LCC) of this large campaniform sensillum is described from labeling with horseradish peroxidase (HRP) and cobalt. The LCC projects bilaterally to several regions of the brain and subesophageal and thoracic ganglia. The LCC processes in these termination areas were analyzed in relation to other neural processes, including the remaining antennal sensory and motor projection. This analysis was aided by combining HRP labeling with Golgi silver impregnation. Based on earlier findings and the present data we suggest that the LCC, with its various outputs in, e.g., antennal and leg motor centers, serves as a multifunctional sensory path involved in control functions necessary in flight.

Notes: During the long starvation period (November to June) of the lizard (Varanus exanthematicus), pancreatic B cells undergo profound modification. The degeneration of β granules observed in electron microscopy appears correlated with the diminution of the immunoreactive insulin-like content of the pancreas. The analogy between the phenomena observed here and those reported in animals treated with alloxan is discussed.

Notes: The structure and crystallography of the internal shell of the pulmonate gastropod slug Limax maximus were studied at the levels of light and scanning electron microscopy, revealing patterns of shell ontogeny and morphogenesis. The calcified portion of the slightly convex ovoid shell is composed of a single palisade layer of calcitic crystals. Numerous projections, 100 μm in width at the dorsal tip, are found on the dorsal surface of the shell and coincide with local nucleation sites of primordial calcium salt deposition onto the periostracum. With continued calcification these projections coalesce ventrally, forming the single crystalline shell layer. The organic portion of the shell includes the periostracum and an extensive PAS-staining conchiolin. In EDTA-etched preparations, conchiolin appears as a spongy network of fibers throughout the shell. Both horizontal and vertical components of the conchiolin are present, the former of variable thickness and occurring in an intercrystalline manner, the latter always occurring normal to the horizontal set. Macromorphogenic growth is characterized by three distinct temporal stages. Primary growth occurs radially from the umbonal region. Secondary growth is synonymous with shell thickening. Tertiary growth is characterized by both a lateral component, in which the shell extends beyond the primary growth boundaries, and a ventral component, in which the shell continues to grow in thickness. SEM of the ventral shell surface reveals a pattern of growth at the crystalmatrix interface. Proteinaceous fibers of the conchiolin occur unidirectionally in horizontal rows. Zones of incipient calcitic crystallization onto these hypostracal fiber bundles are contrasted by zones of increasing crystallization until the fibrous template (reduced hypostracum) is completely covered by crystals.

Notes: Electron microscopy shows that the pharyngeal lining of the larval lamprey Petromyzon marinus is a structurally complex epithelial system that can be separated into eight epithelial types: gill lamellar, gill interlamellar, goblet cell, protective, terminal (taste) bud, preciliated, ciliated in tracts, and ciliated in grooves. Furthermore, these epithelial types encompass at least sixteen different cell types based on ultrastructure and, in some cases, correlative histochemistry (PAS, Alcian blue). Common to nearly all the epithelial types are basal cells and intermediate cells. These two cell types are seen as undifferentiated. Among mature cells, structural specialization as proceeded in three directions: (1) elaboration of mitochondria, probably related to molecular transport (ion-uptake cells, chloride cells); (2) ciliogenesis (preciliated and ciliated cell types); and (3) production of mucous secretory granules (mucous-platelet cells, goblet cells, superficial protective cells, columnar mucous cells, “cobblestone” cells, and marginal and dark cells in the terminal buds). Many of the functions of the cell types relate to the process of suspension feeding in this animal.

Notes: A small short muscle frequently acts across a joint in parallel with a vastly larger and longer muscle; therefore it should play a minimal role in the mechanical control of that joint. This study provides evidence suggesting that the small member of such a “parallel muscle combination” (PMC) may serve an important sensory feedback role. The spindle densities of large and small members of PMCs in man and the dog were determined and compared. Epaxial PMCs controlling canine intervertebral joints were dissected and tissue samples were embedded in paraffin, sectioned transversely to the muscles' long axis and, stained with hematoxylin-periodic acid-Schiff (PAS). Representative tissue sections were projected on to stereological grids and the percentage volume of spindles was determined. Data existing in the literature were used to ascertain spindle densities in human PMCs controlling joints in the cervico-occipital region and the extremities. The spindle density for each muscle in a group of PMCs controlling a particular motion was listed, and the mean spindle densities were determined for both the large and the small members of the group. Student's unpaired t test was used to determine the significance of the differences between mean spindle densities. Linear regression was calculated and the data were plotted graphically.In all PMCs examined, the spindle density of the small muscles was significantly higher than that of their large counterparts. It is therefore proposed that the small muscles of PMCs may function as “kinesiological monitors” generating important proprioceptive feedback to the central nervous system.

Notes: The internal reproductive apparatus of female Platynotus punctatipennis is composed of the paired ovaries, paired lateral oviducts, common oviduct, spermatheca associated with its accessory gland, and a bursa copulatrix. The accessory (colleterial) glands are absent. The ovary is made up of a large number of telotrophic ovarioles which are covered by a double-layered peritoneal sheath. The terminal filament is separated from the germarium by the basement membrane of the latter and consists of a syncytial core surrounded by the peritoneal sheath. Nutritive cords are absent. The pedicel shows highly eosinophilic and PAS-positive secretion of obscure origin. The spermatheca reveals a number of interesting features. It is composed of a pair of sperm-storing tubules, enclosed in a very thin muscle layer. A winecup-like structure, provided with a thick coat of circular muscles, connects the spermathecal gland with thespermathecal duct. Four types of intimal linings occur in the spermatheca and its associated structures. The wine-cup-like connection and four types of intima are entirely new features observed. Histology of the various parts of the reproductive apparatus is described.

Notes: The formation of somites, coelomic sacs, splanchnic mesoderm, fat bodies, circular system, gonads, and musculature in the embryo of the primitive moth, Neomicropteryx nipponensis Issiki, is described. The following paired somites are formed: the labral, antennal, intercalary, mandibular, maxillary, labial, three thoracic, and 11 abdominal. Small but distinct coelomic cavities appear in all these somites. Labral somites differentiate into the labral muscles, stomodaeal muscles, and dorsal dilator muscles of the pharynx. Antennal somites differentiate into the antennal muscles, aorta, and the ventral dilator muscles of the pharynx. Intercalary somites are short-lived, disintegrating to liberate many free cells into the yolk. The suboesophageal body is not formed. Mandibular somites differentiate into the mandibular flexor and extensor muscles. Maxillary and labial somites differentiate into the splanchnic mesoderm, fat bodies, and into muscles of the maxillolabial region. Three pairs of thoracic and ten pairs of abdominal somites split into the splanchric and somatic mesoderm. The 11th abdominal somites merge into the proctodaeal mesoderm, and differentiate into the musculature of the hindgut. The heart is formed by the fusion of the cardioblasts derived from the first thoracic to the tenth abdominal segment. The aorta arises from the antennal median mesoderm. Blood cells are derived from the median mesodermal cells of the maxillary to the tenth abdominal segment. Germ cells appear at the mediodorsal corner of each somite in the fifth abdominal segment. They become enclosed with a mesodermal sheath to form a pair of rudimentary gonads in this segment. Major muscles in the head, thorax, and abdomen of the fully grown embryo are described.

Notes: The architectural and histochemical properties of the anatomically distinct compartments of the semitendinosus muscle (ST) of mice, rats, guinea pigs, and rabbits show that the ST is composed of two separate compartments aligned in series - a destal compartment (STd) and a proximal one (STp). The STp is further subdivided into a ventral head (STpv) and a dorsal head (STpd). The muscle fibers were arranged in parallel to the line of muscle pull within each compartment. The STd has the longest and the STpv the shortest fibers in all species. The physiological cross-sectional area and the estimated tetanic tension was greatest in the STd. Based on the staining pattern for myosin ATPase (alkaline preincubation) and an oxidative indicator (NADH or SDH), the STpv has the highest percentage of slow-oxidative (SO) or SO plus fast-oxidative-glycolytic (FOG) fibers of any portion of the muscle. The differences in fiber-type distributions and architectural designs of the separate compartments suggest a specialization of function of the individual compartments.

Notes: The three-dimensional structure of the organ of Bellonci in the marine amphipod Gammarus setosus and the relationship between its sensory cells and concretion are described using light, transmission, and scanning electron microscopy, with chemical treatment for cell lysis, calcium chelation, glycogen staining, and lanthanum labelling. The organ is encapsulated and has three units called fuselli. Each is enclosed by two fusellar cells which generate and release calcium granule strands into the cores of the fusellar concretions, which are united in the center of the organ. The surface of each fusellus is traversed by spiral dendrites entering dorsally and ending ventrally. The spiral dendrites arise from sensory neurons contained in a palm-shaped ganglion in the center of the capsule, beyond which they are twisted like a rope before reaching the concretion. The spiral dendrites are linked in pairs by gap and tight junctions and each gives origin to two pairs of 9+0 sensory cilia 30 μm apart. The ciliary distal segments give rise to long tubules which are in contact with the calcium granule strands. The ciliary proximal segments are expanded by many long mitochondria which interdigitate with the branched striated ciliary rootlets. The concretion is suspended in the capsule cavity by axons originating from four neurons of a remote mechanoreceptor. The structure of the organ suggests that it is a sensory organ involved in the reception and integration of a variety of stimuli.

Notes: The fine structure of the kidney and the bladder of the bullfrog (Rana catesbeiana), the bullfrog tadpole, and the mudpuppy (Necturus maculosus) were studied with special attention to the innervation of renal tubule cells and bladder epithelial cells. In the bullfrog kidney, nerve terminals and varicosities were frequently associated with the tubule cells, apparently in an increasing order from the proximal tubule to the connecting tubule. Although these terminals and varicosities did not directly contact the tubular cell membrane, an aggregation of synaptic vesicles on the side facing the tubule was considered as morphological evidence that neurotransmitter can be released here and can affect the transport activity of the tubule cells. The association of nerve varicosities with canaliculi cells in the connecting tubule was also demonstrated. In the bullfrog tadpoles, renal tubule cells were occasionally innervated. In the mudpuppy, renal tubule cells were only poorly innervated. The epithelium of the bullfrog bladder was commonly innervated. Nerve terminals with synaptic vesicles were located very near basal cells and even contacted them directly on rare occasions. In the mudpuppy, the innervation of the bladder epithelium was observed infrequently. The bullfrog tadpoles did not possess an apparent bladder. In all materials studied, renal arterioles and bladder smooth muscle cells were innervated.

Notes: The morphology of the rectal pads of two cockroaches, Blattella germanica and Blaberus giganteus is described and contrasted with that of Periplaneta americana, studied previously. The columnar absorptive cells of the three species are similar in structure. However, Blattella and Blaberus rectal pads have a second type of cell, termed the secondary cell, that is not present in Periplaneta. The secondary cells are embedded in the pad epithelium and have crypts of cavities opening into the subepithelial sinus. In addition, a multilayered sheath is present between the pad cells and the sinus. The sheath acts as a barrier, perhaps of low permeability, between the subepithelial sinus and the pads. It is interrupted only at the borders of the secondary cells. A mechanism for fluid absorption is presented and the possible role of secondary cells is discussed. It is proposed that the secondary cells reabsorb solute from the sinus and that this solute can then be recycled through the pad cells. Structures resembling neurosecretory terminals within the cavities of the secondary cells may be involved in regulation of recycling. The arrangement of the rectal pads in these insects has structural and perhaps functional similarities with other transporting systems, particularly the cryptonephric system.

Notes: Light and electron microscope studies indicate that the old ependyma just proximal to the plane of amputation in early lizard tail regenerates shows a sequence of morphological changes which suggests that it as well as the new ependyma growing into the regenerate may play an active role in the initiation and maintenance of early tail regeneration.The old ependyma close to the plane of amputation undergoes hypertrophy and/or hyperplasia causing a partial closure of the central canal and pseudostratification. Its nuclei shift from an original apical position to a basal one. The ependymal processes become more prominent and extend to the pia, a condition not found more rostrally. There is also a significant increase in the amount of Golgi substance and a moderate increase in the rough endoplasmic reticulum. These observations lead to the thought that these cellular changes may be an expression of enhanced secretion and other activities in the old and new ependyma just proximal or distal to the plane of amputation.

Notes: Statistical analyses of chromatophore densities and morphological states in wild type, burnsi, and kandiyohi: adult Rana pipiens integument yielded the conclusion that disruptive pigmentary pattern is permanently defined by regional chromatophore densities. Spatial chromatophore patterning is enhanced and rendered more visible by the morphological and physiological differences among chromatophores within the various pattern regions. Specifically, (1) chromatophores were differentialy distributed among pattern regions, (2) greater complexity of gross disruptive patterning had greater underlying melanophores densities, (3) there were significant density differences among non-sib individual animals, among fertilization, and among shipment batches, but not among full-sibs, and (4)kandiyohi individuals had more while burnsi individuals had fewer total melanophores than wild type. A stellate morphology was significantly correlated with high melanophore density, although the relationship of melanophore density to melanophore morphology differed among pattern regions and among genotypes. The functional interrelationships of density and morphology, and their role in disruptive patterning and coloration, are discussed.

Notes: The male rotifer copulatory organ is composed of a urethral canal extending from the tip of the copulatory organ internally to a layer of microvilli. The microvilli project from two different cell types, referred to as the internal and peripheral microvillar cells according to their location. At this microvillar junction a second canal, the vas deferens, continues posteriorly and enters the sperm duct region of the testis. The channel of the vas deferens is formed from the inner wall of three separate cells; the cap, intermediate and basal cells. Peripheral to these cells and parallel to them for their entire length, cross sections of seven prostate gland cells can be observed. Anteriorly, these gland cells are connected to the basal end of the microvillar layer via a short neck region, through which glandular secretion occurs only during copulation. The mechanism of secretion appears to be a form of exocytosis whereby the secretory granule membrane fuses with the cell plasmalemma so that rupturing at the point of fusion will release the granule content into the neck region.The prostate gland cells contain an abundance of autophagic vacuoles while most of the other cells of the copulatory organ contain primary lysosomes and cytolosomes. These organelles may be associated with the aging process in rotifers, or, as in the case of the prostate gland-autophagic vacuoles, with a fast organelle turnover during secretion.

Notes: Spermatogonia of the nine-banded armadillo, Dasypus novemcinctus mexicanus, were studied morphologically using light and electron microscopy and examined histochemically using light microscopy. Immature flat type spermatogonia have ovoid or irregular nuclei with loosely condensed chromatin. Free ribosomes are abundant while profiles of rough endoplasmic reticulum are scarce. Smooth endoplasmic reticulum is a prominent feature occasionally taking an unusual cylindrical form. Mature spermatogonia exhibit rounder nuclei with greater degrees of chromatin clumping. Smooth endoplasmic reticulum is no longer prominent whereas profiles of rough endoplasmic reticulum are quite common. Occasional lysosomal configurations are found in mature spermatogonia.The majority of spermatogonial cells exhibit weak to moderate reactivity when stained with the periodic acid-Schiff (PAS) reaction. Certain cells in each tubular cross section stain vividly with this reaction and the PAS positivity is removable with salivary amylase. Because of nuclear characteristics, position of the cell immediately upon the basal lamina, intensity of the PAS reaction and the relative paucity of the vividly staining cells, it is suggested that they are members of the immature spermatogonial cell line, perhaps acting as stem cells. None of the several other histochemical procedures employed was capable of selectively demonstrating these cells.

Notes: The duodenal glands of four marsupial species, the kangaroo, native cat, marsupial mouse, and bandicoot, form a narrow lobular collar immediately distal to the gastrointestinal junction. In two species, the koala and wombat, the duodenal glands are diffuse and scattered along the intestinal tract distal to the gastrointestinal junction for considerable distances. The glands of all species examined empty independently into the intestinal lumen. Histochemical studies indicate that the latter two species, the koala and wombat, elaborate an acid mucin whereas the former species produce a neutral mucosubstance. Ultrastructural examination shows that generally the duodenal glands are comprised of large pyramidal cells that show a definite polarity, with basally-placed nuclei and apically-situated secretory granules. Species differences, with regard both to the morphology and nature of the secretory granules and to the proportions of cell organelles, exist. The diversity of diet between species is discussed.

Notes: Cytodifferentiation of the myoepithelial cells (MEC) of the rat submandibular gland (SMG) was observed by studying the prenatal and postnatal development of the gland in vivo and in vitro by light and electron microscopy. The anlage of the SMG first appeared on the fourteenth day of gestation and, from its earliest inception, was surrounded by an intact basal lamina. Presumptive myoepithelial cells were first seen at 18 days of gestation coinciding with the onset of secretion in the rudiment. These cells were flattened, peripherally located and subjacent to the epithelial basal lamina. Initial deposition of cytofilaments in the MEC's was observed during the first three days following birth and fully matured cells were seen as early as one week after birth. Presumptive and immature MEC's were observed undergoing mitosis, but once cytofilament deposition had begun in the cells they did not divide. Myoepithelium developed in relation to embryonic secretory structures and were only observed surounding acini and intercalated ducts in the adult gland. New myoepithelial cells were formed as long as new acinar-intercalated duct units were formed. Myoepithelial cells did not produce secretory type granules at any time during their development or in their mature state.Development of the MEC's in vitro paralleled that in vivo and supported the above observations.

Notes: Larval compound (jointed) setae of the polychaete Nereis vexillosa Grube were examined by scanning and transmission electron microscopy and by polarization microscopy. Long-bladed spinigers and short-bladed falcigers are described. The proximal shaft of each of these types of setae flares distally into a serrated collar and encloses the proximal end of a toothed blade. The collar projects on one side as a boss. The blade and the cortex of the shaft have longitudinal channels. A large excentric cavity in the shaft (the medullary channel) contains a loose meshwork of trabeculae. In the distal part of the shaft these trabeculae are aggregated into diaphragms. The seta is invested with an electron dense layer of enamel. Juvenile setae contain both chitin and protein. With respect to the long axis of the seta, the blade and the cortex of the shaft are positively birefringent and the medullary diaphragms are negatively birefringent. KOH extraction renders the setae negative to a test for protein and reverses the sign of birefringence of the cortical material of the shaft.

Notes: The marine priapulid Priapulus caudatus has a voluminous body cavity filled with a blood-like fluid containing erythrocytes and leucocytes (amoebocytes). The hematocrit of animals weighing 0.5-14 gm was 2-10%. The erythrocytes contain a hemerythrin blood pigment. The structure of the coelomocytes was studied by light and electron microscopy. The erythrocytes are nucleated and contain marginal bands, vacuoles and occasionally crystals. The cytoplasm has few organelles. The leucocytes are amoeboid motile cells, the cytoplasm of which contains numerous organelles. The most conspicuous of these are oval particles, probably representing developmental stages of lysosomes. Most of these organelles contain tubules stretching from one pole to another. In the hind part of the animal, certain tissues, primarily the posterior warts contain large numbers of coelomocytes. The histological picture is complicated, showing some resemblance to the lymphoepithelial tissues of vertebrates.

Notes: The dissected tooth bearing bones of 20 specimens of Amia calva (Pisces:Holostei) ranging from the third to tenth season have been examined radiographically and in alizarin red S stained and cleared specimens. Although forms of alternate (1:1) tooth series replacement (sensu Edmund, '60) were frequently observed, even in the youngest, immature specimens, many examples of irregular replacement were recorded. In several bones, the maxillae in particular, series with every third (2:1) or fourth (3:1) tooth replacing were seen and possible patterns of 2:2, were recorded. It is concluded that these data are not consistent with the Zahnreihen concept but support a morphogenic field concept of tooth development.

Notes: The first description of vertebral development in a plethodontid salamander is presented. Eurycea bislineata has larvae that hatch at a rather early stage of development. Somites and the notochord appear early. Somitic differentiation is slight, and no distinct sclerotome can be found. As a result, there is no clear primary segmentation of the skeletogenous tissue. No evidence of a sclerocoele can be found. The amount of sclerotomal cells surrounding the notochord is very low, relative to other tetrapods. Yet discrete perichordal rings of cells do form, in nearly midsegmental positions, and these give rise to the intervertebral cartilages. Osteogenesis of the centra is initiated prior to hatching and is coincidental with ossification of the neural arch. There is no sign of a neurocentral suture. The centrum forms as a thin shell of bone directly from sclerotomal cells. The notochord is a prominent feature of the vertebral column throughout life, retaining its integrity until late in life when some disintegration occurs locally. The notochord is filled with cartilage midvertebrally in late larval stages, and some additional cartilage forms later in life. The intervertebral cartilage enlarges greatly in late larval life. An opisthocoelous joint forms in this cartilage, apparently as a result of differential changes in the cells of the perichordal ring rather than by an invasion of cells from an external source. The intervertebral cartilage is a dominant structural and highly important functional feature of the adult vertebra. In metamorphosed individuals it may become extensively mineralized, and it consists of many different structural kinds of cartilage.The cranio-vertebral joint seems to form in a single segment, contrary to the condition reported by some early investigators. It is complex, and consists of articulations between the odontoid process of the atlas and the occipital arch, as well as between the occipital condyles and atlantal cotyles. The notochord plays a dominant role in the early development of the odontoid, but then changes radically and is absent in the adult process.The anterior trunk region seems to be much more conservative than posterior parts of the column. The patterns of nerve routes and nature of development of the ribs and rib bearers differs greatly from conditions elsewhere in the column. The rib patterns are similar to presumed ancestral conditions. Rib development on the sacral and caudosacral vertebrae is in some ways more similar to that of the anterior vertebrae than of the central trunk vertebrae.Quantitative aspects of variation in the vertebrae of adult salamanders are presented. There is more regional variation and less site variation than would be expected from literature reports.Evolutionary aspects of the origin of the cranio-vertebral joint, transverse process and ribs, patterns of segmentation, and centrum development are considered in the light of the new information on Eurycea. There is no evidence that more than one vertebra is involved developmentally or evolutionarily in the cranio-vertebral joint. The most generalized condition of rib bearers in living salamanders is one in which the dorsal and ventral bearers are in cartilaginous continuity during development. There are many variations on this theme in living species. It is inappropriate to speak of a resegmentation of the sclerotome in Eurycca, even though the adult vertebra is a transsegmental structure, because there is no primary segmentation of the scanty sclerotome. The important feature found in vertebral development in all tetrapods is the perichordal tube and its subsequent differentiation. Questinos concerning precise homologies of the salamander vertebral centrum with those of other vertebrates cannot be answered by data from development sequences with currently used criteria of homology. On the other hand, it appears that all centra, regardless of subdivision, are homologous in all tetrapods.

Notes: The Oberhautchen of scales from the dorsal, parietal, and ventral regions of Sceloporus occidentalis (Iguanidae), Gerrhonotus multicarinatus (Anguinidae), and Anniella pulchra (Anniellidae) were examined with a scanning electron microscope. At low magnification, all scales of S. occidentalis exhibit well-defined outlines of cells belonging to the Oberhautchen layer and the previously overlying clear layer. The dorsal and parietal cells of this species exhibit a minutely dentate Oberhautchen that forms tooth-like spinules 0.2 to 0.5 μ long and arranged in irregular rows. Minute pits 0.1 to 0.3 μ in diameter characterize the Oberhautchen of a ventral scale.Cell outlines are not evident on the scales of G. multicarinatus. The Oberhautchen of dorsal and parietal scales of this species is prominently laminated. Laminae are less prominent on scales of the lateral fold, and no intrinsic surface structure is evident on a ventral scale. In contrast, the fossorial anguinomorph Anniella pulchra exhibits Oberhautchen surfaces with practically no intrinsic microornamentation. However, what appear to be outlines of Oberhautchen cells are visible on the dorsal and ventral scales.These observations suggest that modifications of Oberhautchen microornamentation may have evolved to reduce friction with the substrate or other scales. The lack of pronounced microornamentation of the Oberhautchen on some body scales may indicate that a complex interdigitation between clear layer and Oberhautchen cells is not essential to the sloughing process.

Notes: Stolonic growth has been compared among several genera of calyptoblastic (Campanularia flexuosa, C. calceolifera, Gonothyraea and Sertularia) and gymnoblastic (Pennaria, Bougainvillia, Eudendrium and Cordylophora) hydroids with respect to such features as the (1) complexity and uniformity of the tip movements, (2) constancy of growth cycle duration, (3) variability in growth among cycles, (4) growth rate, and (5) variability of retractions among cycles.The “growth cycle,” previously described in C. flexuosa, is the basis for elongation in all species observed. Its pattern is indistinguishable between the Campanularia species; however, at the generic level the tip movements show peculiarities which delineate each genus from all others. In addition, the movements in all calyptoblasts are uniform from cycle to cycle and comparatively simple, whereas those of the gymnoblasts are complicated by the variable appearance of one or more secondary forward thrusts between crests.A dichotomy is seen between the calyptoblasts and most gymnoblasts in other respects as well. Cycle time is very predictable and cycle-to-cycle variability in growth is relatively narrow in all calyptoblasts. However, in most gymnoblasts both features are much more loosely regulated: only Pennaria shows some degree of control to its timing mechanism, and only in Bougainvillia and Eudendrium does the uniformity of growth per cycle reach the calyptoblast level.On the premise that calyptoblasts are evolutionarily the more advanced group, simplicity and regularity of growth movements are concluded to be the evolved, and complexity and variability the primitive, conditions. On this basis the evolutionary relations among the four gymnoblasts, as deduced from their stolonic growth behavior alone, are consistent in many but not all respects with those interpreted from morphological considerations.

Notes: In order to clarify the morphology of the circulatory system of amphioxus the blood vessels were investigated using modern techniques of light and electron microscopy.The pattern of circulation in amphioxus is forward ventrally and backwards dorsally. In addition, circulating corpuscles, usually associated with the blood of higher chordates, are absent.The circulatory system of amphioxus consists of well defined contractile vessels and vascular spaces or sinuses within a connective tissue matrix. The contractile vessels have a discontinuous endothelial lining resting on a basal lamina and are enclosed by a simple layer of contractile myoepithelial cells. Discontinuous endothelial linings occur throughout the vascular tree, including major and minor afferent and efferent vessels and blood sinuses. This is in contrast to higher animals where the endothelium forms a more or less continuous lining along the inner surface of the boundary layer.It is suggested that the endothelial cells of amphioxus, like the endothelial cells in capillaries of higher chordates, most likely play a role in the physiology of the circulatory system by removing residues of filtration from the basal lamina, thereby facilitating an exchange of materials to and from the surrounding tissues.

Notes: Cytoplasmic microtubules can be divided into two subpopulations: (1) those adjacent to the nucleus (perinuclear), and (2) those distributed between the myofilament bundles (nonperinuclear). Previous observations (Cartwright and Goldstein, '83) indicate total cytoplasmic microtubule numeric density increases to a maximum at 5-9 days and decreases to the steady value of the adult muscle. We have examined the numeric density (mean numbers of microtubule profiles per μm2 cross-sectional area) of the perinuclear subpopulation and compared it to the numeric density of the total cytoplasmic microtubule population in postnatally developing rat papillary muscle ages 1, 3, 5, 9, 21, and 42 days, and adult. The perinuclear region was defined as the area around the nucleus which extends to the 0.273 μm from the nuclear envelope. The density of perinuclear microtubules did not change with postnatal development. Our study suggests that perinuclear microtubules are a separate and relatively stable subpopulation of the total population of cytoplasmic microtubules and may serve a function different from that of the more variable nonperinuclear microtubules.

Notes: Each antenna of both sexes of adult Rhodnius prolixus has approximately 570 mechanosensitive neurons that innervate five morphologic types of cuticular mechanosensilla: campaniform sensilla, tapered hairs, trichobothria, and type I and type II bristle sensilla. Each campaniform sensillum and tapered hair is presumably innervated by one mechanosensitive bipolar neuron and probably functions in proprioception. The campaniform sensilla being located at the base of the scape could monitor the position of the antenna. Tapered hairs are found at the distal margin of flagellar segment I and projecting laterally from the bases of the pedicel and scape. They probably provide information about the relative positions of the antennal segments. Seven trichobothrium are located on the pedicel and three on flagellar segment I. Each trichobothrium has a long filamentous hair inserted into the base of a socket that extends inwardly as a cuticular tube and is innervated by one bipolar neuron with a tublar body, a parallel arrangement of microtubules associated with electron-dense material. The trichobothria may respond to small variations in air currents.Type I bristles occur at the base of the antenna and are the most numerous type of mechanosensillum; an average of 452 occur on each antenna of females and 440 on males. The bristle is curved toward the antennal shaft and is serrated distally. Type II bristles are located distally and are the second most numerous type of mechanosensillum; an average of 88 were counted on each antenna of females and 94 on males. The type II bristle is straight with small, longitudinal, external grooves and projects laterally from the antennal shaft. Each type I and II bristle sensillum is innervated by a bipolar neuron whose dendrite is divided into an inner and outer segment. The outer segment is encased by a dendritic sheath which may be highly convoluted and distally contains a tubular body. Two sheath cells are associated with each sensillum. Both types of bristle sensilla have a tactile function.The tubular bodies of both types of bristle sensilla have a complex structure indicating that they are very sensitive. Variations in the amount and arrangement of the electron-dense material at the tip of the tubular bodies may reflect differences in viscoelastic properties that underlie functional characteristics.

Notes: Fine structural study indicates that the neuromuscular system of stage I polyps of Aurelia aurita is exclusively ectodermal.The three major muscle fields are the radial muscles of the oral disc, the longitudinal muscles of the tentacles, and the muscle cords of the septae and the column; the muscle fields are in physical continuity at the peristomial pits and share a common innervation and type of myofibril. The myofibril is striated in the tentacle base, in the outer oral disc, and in the upper part of the muscle cord; it grades into a smooth muscle toward the tentacle tip, the mouth, and the lower part of the cord. There is a fourth field of longitudinal smooth muscle in the pharynx.The nervous system consists of an epithelial sensory cell in the tentacle and a single type of neuron found in the subepithelial layer of the tentacle, oral disc, and muscle cord. The lack of gap junctions suggests that there is no nonnervous conduction system. The subepithelial layer also contains three types of fibers and a type of soma which cannot be characterized as neuronal. The soma is identified as the “neurosecretory cell” described in Chrysaora. The absence of neuromuscular elements in the column and stolon distinguishes the Aurelia aurita collected from Washington, USA, from English polyps previously described.

Notes: The structure and interrelationships of the mouthparts and of the food canal and its accessory cephalic structures of the females of Simulium venustum are described through microscopic observations. The mouthparts that enter the would during feeding are the mandibles, maxillary laciniae, hypopharynx, and labrum and collectively form a “syntrophium.” The labium and labellar lobes, which do not enter the wound, ensheathe the syntrophium distally and must be retracted to allow biting.We present an interpretation of mouthpart function during biting that emphasizes how biting steps are accomplished and what sensory structures are used to monitor the process. Four phases of biting are identified: (1) initial penetration of the skin effected by the mandibles; (2) consolidation of mouthpart position involving anchoring the syntrophium into the wound by means of the barbed laciniae; (3) diet sampling and active feeding - food (blood) is pumped by three groups of muscles forming two functional pumps, one located in the cibarium, the other in the pharynx. These pumps are separated from each other and from surrounding regions of the food canal by valve muscles making the pumping process a complex and highly coordinated series of muscular contractions; and (4) mouthpart disengagement involving removal of the laciniae, thus releasing the syntrophium from the wound.

Notes: The external morphology of contact-chemoreceptive hairs (taste hairs) of six fly species, Calliphora vicina, Lucilia caesar, Musca domestica, Phormia terranovae, Sarcophaga carnaria and Stomoxys calcitrans, is described. The species can be distinguished by the differences between the patterns of taste hairs at the ventral side of their prothoracic tarsi. Taste hairs can be subdivided into morphological types, using the shape of the cuticle around the apical pore as criterion, even though this shape changes slightly on opening and closing of the pore. Light microscopical studies reveal that the nature and osmolarity of stimuli are decisive for the effect stimuli have on the shape of the top of the labellar hairs. The motions of the apical cuticle appear to be reversible.Gentle ultrasonic treatment preserves the shape of the cuticle of the top and the diameter of the pores on fluid stimulation. This technique makes it possible to study the effect of a previous stimulation on both tarsal and labellar hairs with the scanning electron microscope. It is supposed that stimuli can affect cuticular components around the pore, producing volume changes in that cuticle which alter the diameter of the pore.

Notes: During the breeding season, male anurans display clasping behavior by holding females with their forelimbs. This behavior is peculiar to males, and may require specializations in forelimb musculature. The present study revealed that five kinds of forelimb muscles were heavier in the male Japanese toad than in the female: the flexor carpi radialis (FCR), the flexor antibrachii medialis caput superius (FAMsup), the abductor indicis longus (AIL), the extensor carpi radialis caput superius (ECRsup), and the flexor antibrachii lateralis superficialis caput superius (FALSsup). In addition, one breast muscle, the coracoradialis (CR), was also heavier in males than in females. A quantitative analysis of muscle fibers processed for myosin ATPase activity showed that, in such “sexually dimorphic muscles” of the female, both fast (twitch) and slow (tonic) muscle fibers were of smaller diameter than in other forelimb muscles of both sexes (all male muscles plus “nondimorphic muscles” of the female). Moreover, both types of fibers were less numerous than in the corresponding muscles of the male. These results suggest that the “sexually dimorphic muscles” are used especially for clasping by the male and are degenerative or subnormal in the female. Slow muscle fibers were neither peculiar to, nor abundant in, these clasping muscles, although they may well be necessary for tonic and prolonged contractions of the forelimb muscles during clasping. The mechanism of sexual dimorphism may be a direct action of androgens on clasping muscles or an indirect action on clasping muscles via the innervating motoneurons.

Notes: Shells from eggs of the turtle Kinosternon flavescens were examined during different stages of development with light and scanning electron microscopy. Prior to initiation of the calcareous layer, organic spheres or cores appear on the outer surface of the shell membrane. Presumably, these cores nucleate deposition of the mineral layer of the eggshell. Growing shell units of the mineral layer are rounded and nodular in shape, crystallites of adjacent shell units do not interlock, and numerous spaces occur between shell units. As growth continues, most of the spaces between shell units are obliterated, and shell units become more elongate in form. The calcareous layer of partially shelled eggs resembles the calcareous layer of flexible-shelled eggs of emydids and chelydrids. Eggshells assume the morphology typical of rigidshelled chelonian eggs only at an advanced stage of shell formation. These observations indicate that rigid and flexible eggshells may form by fundamentally similar mechanisms, with length of shell growth being the primary determinant of whether shells are flexible or rigid.

Notes: Hymenopteran venom glands are epidermal glands that have evolved from female accessory reproductive glands. In the honey bee, Apis mellifera L., the venom gland shows many of the fine structural features of primitive glands. A honey bee venom gland is a simple, long, thin, distally bifurcated structure, opening into an ovoid reservoir. Along most of the length of the gland are similar secretory units that have four major components (secretory cells, duct cells, ducts, and end apparatuses), except in the part of the gland proximal to the venom reservoir, where the secretory units resemble those around the venom reservoir. In the latter secretory units a funnel structure occurs between the duct (which is shorter than that of the secretory units of the gland) and the end apparatus. This funnel may be important in protecting the secretory cells around the reservoir from the cytolytic activity of the complex chemical mixture constituting the venom.

Notes: Anatomical studies of cephalic bones and muscles combined with cine and high-speed videographic analyses of feeding demonstrate that Amphiuma tridactylum uses two distinct types of suction feeding. Small or relatively immobile prey generally elicit a stationary capture mode in which mouth opening precedes buccal expansion and there is no forward movement of the head of the salamander. Actively moving prey are captured by a rapid strike during which mouth opening and buccal expansion are synchronous and the extent of buccal expansion is greater than in stationary feeding. Differences between these feeding modes may be due to differences in the timing of contraction of the rectus cervicis muscle. Synchronous hyoid and mandibular excursions during the strike are probably generated by simultaneous contractions of the depressor mandibulae and rectus cervicis, whereas delay of hyoid excursions during stationary capture suggests sequential contraction of the depressor and rectus cervicis.

Notes: Silver impregnation of serial histological sections of the tubeworm Chaetopterus variopedatus revealed the presence of a subepidermal nervous system. The anterior nervous system is delimited by the first 11 segments and comprises (1) two dorsolateral cerebral ganglia and lateral instead of ventral nerve cords which are widely separated and thus connected by unusually long commissures, (2) a pharyngeal ganglion in the fourth segment which is connected to the cerebral ganglia by pharyngeal nerves and constitutes along with the pharyngeal plexus a stomatogastric or enteric nervous system, and (3) small, presumably segmental ganglionic swellings along the lateral nerve cords from which emerge commissures and parapodial nerves. No subesophageal ganglion or periesophageal connective could be identified. The lateral nerve cords converge toward the midline in the 12th segment to form the posterior nervous system comprising a pair of ventromedian nerve cords with their repetitive segmental ganglia from which emerge numerous short commissures and three segmental nerves coursing toward the dorsal and ventral regions of parapods and toward the neuropod. Light and electron microscopic investigations of cerebral and segmental ganglia showed an arrangement of inner neuropile and of unipolar neuron somata at the periphery. The neuropile comprises numerous neurites ranging in diameter from 0.5 to 10 μm and making polarized or symmetrical synaptic junctions with each other. The pharyngeal ganglion consists of a similar neuropile and of a large mass of cell bodies which is traversed by an elaborate network of sinuses and harbors three types of neurosecretory cells in addition to the conventional neuron somata. These findings are interpreted in the framework of the highly specialized morphological features and habits of Chaetopterus, and the welldeveloped stomatogastric system is considered to be related to control of the feeding activities.

Notes: Whenever individuals of the freshwater sponge Ephydatia fluviatilis belonging to different strains come into contact, they reject each other by building a nonmerging front. The present work describes the development, the structure, and the nature of the barrier secreted between two individuals. The observations reported give unequivocal data about the collagen nature of the incompatibility barrier. First, ultrastructural investigations reveal the presence of fibrils and microfibrils which are, respectively, typical of collagen and spongin. Second, incorporation of tritiated proline, a characteristic precursor of collagen and related products, is particularly intense in the front. The involvement of several cell types in the barrier formation is discussed. The allogeneic incompatibility reaction between E. fluviatilis individuals appears very close to the process of allograft chronic rejection that we formerly described for some marine sponges. Both phenomena are basically analogous to the process which fixes to and isolates the sponges from their substrate.

Notes: Motor units of the medial gastrocnemius (MG) and the single lateral gastrocnemius/soleus (LG/S) muscles of the opssum (Didelphis virginiana) were found to have uniformly slow contraction times relative to homologous muscles of the cat. Though a broad range of peak tetanic tensions was found among motor units from both muscles, most of the motor units were quite large relative to tension of the whole muscle. Comparison of the relative sizes of motor units showed that those of LG/S are significantly larger and slower than the units of MG. This suggests that the motor units of the two muscles may be differentially recurited during different behaviors.All of the MG and LG/S motor units were highly or moderately resistant to fatigue. Histochemical staining for NADH-diaphorase activity indicated consistently high levels of the enzyme in all of the fibers of both muscles. Apparently, all of the fast motor units consist of fast oxidative/glycolytic (FOG)-type muscle fibers. Our data provide functional evidence that the types of myofibrillar ATPase demonstrated by Brooke and Kaiser ('70), are not necessarily correlated to physiological classification of fiber types as slow oxidative (SO), fast oxidative/glycolytic (FOG), and fast glycolytic (FG) (Peter et al., '72).Perhaps compartmentalization of muscle fiber types may be a first step in the separation of muscles into multiple heads during the evolution of specialization to diverse locomotor habits among the mammals.

Notes: Sensory epithelia of the oral tube, a fungiform body anterior to the tentacles and of the terminal knob of tentacles, were studied in Ovatella myosotis by electron microscopy. All three epithelia consist of columnar support cells, sensory cells, and, except in the oral tube, numerous goblet cells. The epithelia differ significantly in their apical differentiations. In the oral tube an outer layer is formed by irregularly bent villi of support cells completely embedded in a surface coat. Cilia and cytofila of the dendrites of sensory cells intertwine throughout the entire depth of the villous layer. In the fungiform sensory body some of the villi of support cells are singly branched. Their basal region is free of a surface coat. In this region cytofila and cilia of dendrites form a spongy layer, some cytofila extending into the surface coat. In the tentacular terminal knob the villi of the support cells branch dichotomously once or twice, a single villus thus ending with 2-4 tips. Only these terminal twigs are invested with the surface coat. The cytofila and dendritic cilia are confined to a broad spongy layer underneath. Three types of dendrites are present. They differ in their number of cilia, structure of basal bodies and occurrence in the three epithelia. Dendritic cytofila are most abundant in the tentacular terminal knob and least numerous in the oral tube. The observations are discussed with respect to corresponding epithelia in other pulmonates, the homology of the fungiform body, and possible functional correlates of structural features.

Notes: Renal tubules in the dog shark, leopard shark, and red skate were examined histologically and analyzed histochemically for enzymes. Cells of the distal and collecting tubules exhibit extensive interdigitations and large intercellular spaces, suggesting that these tubules are sites of sodium reabsorption. Although Na-K-ATPase is very scarce to nonexistent in the distal and collecting tubules, very intense carbonic anhydrase activity in these segments indicates that they secrete large amounts of hyrogen ion and reabsorb sodium by H+/Na+ exchange process. Epithelial cells of the necks are not interdigitated, tightly join adjacent cells, and have low enzyme activities. They seem to be passively permeable to the water. Necks are attached to the distal tubules with scant intervening stroma. It seems likely that the stroma has a high osmotic pressure resulting from absorption of solutes in the distal tubules. Water may be reabsorbed from necks to stroma because of a concentration gradient of the solutes distributed between these sites.

Notes: Light and electron microscopy were used to examine the morphology of the mucosa of the diverticulum, anterior intestine, and transition zone in prefeeding and spontaneously feeding adult lampreys (Petromyzon marinus L.). Absorptive (either types A or B), ciliated, and enteroendocrine cells are present in all regions but the diverticulum and anterior intestine also possess zymogen (secretory) cells. Type A absorptive cells are restricted to the diverticulum and the rostral one-third of the anterior intestine and are characterized by abundant mitochondria and an extensive smooth tubular network. Type B absorptive cells, in the remainder of the anterior intestine and the transition zone, possess small numbers of these organelles but in the transition zone also have inclusion bodies. During feeding, abundant lipid droplets and lipoprotein (VLDL) accumulate in the cytoplasm of both types of absorptive cells and in the lateral intercellular and the perivascular spaces. Lipid is present to a limited extent in ciliated cells and is encountered only rarely in enteroendocrine and zymogen cells. Although the animals are obligate sanguivores, there is little evidence of iron within these mucosal cells. It is suggested that intestinal efficiency displayed by this animal is due in part to ion transport in osmoregulation in type A cells, lipid absorption in types A and B cells, and digestion through enzymes in zymogen cells.

Notes: Fourteen species of leiognathid fishes (Perciformes, Leiognathidae) from the Philippine Islands, Thailand, Japan, Indonesia, and Palau were examined for accessory secondary sexual dimorphism. Thirteen species exhibit either external dimorphism (a clear patch of skin on the flanks of males, a large clear patch of skin on the opercular margins of males, or a flank stripe in males) or internal dimorphism (large light organs in males) or both. Eight of the 14 species (and possibly as many as 11) exhibit both forms of sexual dimorphism. Two species show only internal light organ volume dimorphism, and one species shows neither external nor internal dimorphism. Sexual dimorphism is thus very common in leiognathids. The externally dimorphic skin patches are closely associated with the internally dimorphic light organ system in seven species (and possibly as many as ten), indicating a potential for light emission through the clear patches. A bioluminescent signaling function by males is therefore suggested for the sexual dimorphism in leiognathids, which may play an important role in the schooling behavior as well as in species and sexual recognition of these coastal fishes.

Notes: Among egg-brooding hylid frogs there is much interspecific variation in the degree of development of the young at hatching. In certain species of Gastrotheca the eggs hatch into free-living tadpoles, whereas in others (and in the genera Amphignathodon, Cryptobatrachus, Stefania and Hemiphractus) the eggs hatch directly into frogs. We examined the oral anatomy of tadpoles and embryos of 22 species of egg-brooding hylids in order to determine the morphological differences between free-living larvae and embryos of species having direct development. All free-living Gastrotheca larvae are morphologically similar and have a large array of oral structures directly associated with a suspension feeding way of life. Among those egg-brooding hylids without free-living larvae there is a complete gradation from those with all of the free-living tadpole oral structures to those with none. Different lineages retain different vestiges of free-living larval morphology, suggesting that direct development has evolved multiple times among these frogs. All of the morphological patterns in the direct-developing embryos can be accounted for by simple truncation or acceleration of the normal tadpole developmental program. We explore the possibility that certain Gastrotheca species with tadpoles may have evolved from species that lack larval stages. The development of oral structures in egg-brooding hylids provides insight into the phylogenetic significance of these charactes in other groups of anurans. Most significantly they reinforce the idea that microhylids evolved from ranoidlike ancestors.

Notes: With the use of rabbit antisera against crustacean hyperglycemic hormone (CHH), it is possible to describe a distinct immunopositive reaction in a group of neurosecretory cells in the medulla terminalis ganglionic X-organ2 (MTGX2), in the MTGX-sinus gland tract, and in a considerable part of the sinus gland from several species of prawns belonging to the Palaemonidae. By introductory studies on the CHH system in Palaemon serratus, we can postulate a sequence in the activity cycle of the CHH-producing cells on the basis of differences in staining intensity of the immunoreaction and such morphometric parameters as cellular and nuclear diameter. By studying the CHH-producing system in combination with variations in the glucose level of the blood, an “inverse relationship” is observed between the number of immunoreactive cells and the blood glucose level during different periods of the year as well as during different stages of the molting cycle. A “shift in phase” of this correlation during the diurnal cycle suggests that several rhythmical phenomena may play a role in the regulation of glycemia in Crustacea.

Notes: A large mechanosensory campaniform sensillum (LCS) is found close to the flagellum/pedicellus joint in the antennae of the blowfly Calliphora erythrocephala. The LCS possesses a single sensory cell, enveloping cells and a cuticular stimulus-conducting structure. The distal part of the sensory process is developed as a tubular body and is connected to the two parts of the stimulusconducting apparatus. The sensory cell is characterized by the complete absence of ciliary structures in the transition zone between dendrite and sensory process.

Notes: A three-dimensional muscle model with complex geometry is described and tested against experimental data. Using this model, several muscles were constructed. These muscles have equal optimum length but differ in architecture. The force exerted by the constructed muscles, in relation to their actual length and velocity of shortening, is discussed. Generally speaking, the constructed muscles with considerable pennation have great fiber angles, a great physiological cross section, a narrow active and steep passive length-force relation, and a low maximal velocity of shortening. The maximal power (force times velocity) delivered by the constructed muscles is shown to be almost independent of the architecture of the muscles. The steepness of the passive length-force relation is determined mainly by the shortest fibers within the group of constructed muscles, wheras maximal velocity of shortening and the width of the active length-force relation are determined mainly by the longest fibers.The validity of the three-dimensional muscle model with respect to some morphological and functional characteristics is tested. Length-force relations of constructed muscles are compared with the actual length-force relations of mm. gastrocnemii mediales and mm. semimembranosi of male Wistar rats. Moreover, actual fiber angle, fiber length, and muscle thickness of three mm. gastrocnemii mediales are compared with values found for constructed muscles. It is concluded that the three-dimensional muscle model closely approximates the actual muscle form and function.

Notes: Horseradish peroxidase histochemical studies of afferent and efferent projections of the trigeminal nerve in two species of chondrostean fishes revealed medial, descending and ascending projections. Entering fibers of the trigeminal sensory root project medially to terminate in the medial trigeminal nucleus, located along the medial wall of the rostral medulla. Other entering sensory fibers turn caudally within the medulla, forming the trigeminal spinal tract, and terminate within the descending trigeminal nucleus. The descending trigeminal nucleus consists of dorsal (DTNd) and ventral (DTNv) components. Fibers of the trigeminal spinal tract descend through the lateral alar medulla and into the dorsolateral cervical spinal cord. Fibers exit the spinal tract throughout its length, projecting to the ventral descending trigeminal nucleus (DTNv) in the medulla and to the funicular nucleus at the obex. Retrograde transport of HRP through sensory root fibers also revealed an ascending bundle of fibers that constitutes the neurites of the mesencephalic trigeminal nucleus, cell bodies of which are located in the rostral optic tectum. Retrograde transport of HRP through motor root fibers labeled ipsilateral cells of the trigeminal motor nucleus, located in the rostral branchiomeric motor column.

Notes: Two types of nerve cells, sensory and ganglion cells, were identified in the epidermis of the hypostome of Pelmatohydra robusta by light and electron microscopy. In the study of distribution of these cells, the presence of a circumhypostomal nerve ring in the epidermis was revealed, although hydras have been considered to possess only a diffuse nervous system or socalled nerve net. The nerve ring, which encircled the hypostome, was constituted by several clusters of ganglion cells, thick bundles of many neurites connecting these clusters, and a small number of individual ganglion cells located along the bundles. In the nerve ring, some of the lamellae protruding from the ganglion cells were frequently myelinated and wrapped the cell bodies of neighboring ganglion cells, and other lamellae were arranged in concentric circles.

Notes: The epithelium of the posterior intestine and hindgut of recently metamorphosed adult lampreys (Petromyzon marinus L.) prior to and during spontaneous feeding was examined using light and electron microscopy. These two regions differ slightly in their general morphology but possess the same mucosal cell types. Included are caveolated absorptive and mucous cells, which are not present in more cephalic regions of the intestine, and ciliated and enteroendocrine cells. During feeding, the caveolated cells undergo dramatic transformation in their structure, namely, through the acquisition of numerous heterophagic vacuoles. Due to their morphology and to the fact that there are low amounts of lipid, it is suspected that caveolated cells are primarily involved in the absorption of protein components from the ingested host blood and body fluids. Iron in caveolated cells may result from the degradation of ingested heme or reflect the excretion of bile products at this location in the intestine. Mucous cells are likely responsible for lubrication of the luminal surface and may be important as a stem cell for the mucosal epithelium.

Notes: This investigation describes the morphogenesis of the type I pneumocyte from the neonatal stage to the age of 3 months. Cells lining subpleural air spaces were photographed from electron microscopic serial sections and a three-dimensional representation of each cell was obtained by transferring the contours of the cell membranes from micrographs to transparent plastic sheets which were then spaced to scale and stacked. The portion of the reconstructed cell surface taking part in the formation of the blood-airbarrier increased extensively in postnatal stages when compared with reconstructed cells of prenatal stages. Reconstructed cell-surface irregularities decrease during distension. A cytoplasmic plate seen in the last stage studied may represent a forming alveolar pore.

Notes: Three hypothetical models of tongue movement of the walrus during suction feeding are examined. These models encompass the entire range of simple tongue retraction movements possible by examining 1) movement of the tongue directly to the rear following the curvature of the palate, 2) to the rear and ventrally in a straight line, and 3) ventrally in a straight line. The percent of muscular force available from the hyoglossus, genioglossus, and styloglossus that could be applied toward retraction as predicted by each model is calculated. The resistance that the tongue would provide during retraction is calculated using projected tongue areas and is combined with the above data from the muscles to provide an estimate of the percent of the total available force that is needed to retract the tongue for each model. A separate examination of the direction of tongue-induced wear striations on the palatal and lingual aspects of the teeth is used to help support or reject the three models.The model where the tongue is moved directly to the rear is supported by studies of both muscle force and tooth wear. In the mammalian groups that were compared to the walrus, there is a great deal of interspecific variation in movements of the tongue during suction feeding; no two groups can be considered to have identical stereotyped tongue movements.

Notes: The retina of the chick contains retinal cells of a morphology very similar to that of the horizontal cells, but the perikarya, axons, and axon terminals lie in the inner plexiform layer. The discovery of this neuronal ectopia appears to support the idea that some horizontal and amacrine cells derive from a common, freely migrating cell.

Notes: The cranial and cervical osteology of the European oystercatcher, Haematopus ostralegus L. is completely described from both whole skeletons and spirit specimens. Contrary to previous reports, the postorbital ligament shows variability in bifurcation and attachment, with the posterior branch, where present, attaching either to the suprameatic process or the zygomatic process. In addition, the quadrate ligament, which had been described as originating from the suprameatic process, appears instead to attach to the zygomatic process in some specimens. The caudal mandibular fenestra, earlier considered absent in oystercatchers, is present in all specimens examined. The cranium is additionally distinguished by a number of features which may be unique to oystercatchers. A fourth, previously unrecorded, division of the maxillopalatine strut is present, while the palatine process of the premaxilla is reduced to a thickening along the edge of the premaxillary process of the palatine. The distinctiveness of the oystercatcher cranium is particularly evident in the area of the quadratomandibular articulation, which possesses features potentially important for stabilizing the joint. A deep retroarticular notch is present, guiding a large medial jugomandibular ligament along the posterior margin of the articulation. A lateral mandibular tuberosity, which is received dorsally by an emargination of the jugal arch and quadrate, may act as an osteological brace, preventing posterior shifting of the closed mandible. The 15 cervical vertebrae are divided on the basis of structural criteria into three sections.

Notes: Many climbing mammals are able to reverse normal hind foot posture to effect the grip necessary to descend headfirst or to hang upside down. Such hind foot reversal is known in sciurids, procyonids, felids, viverrids, tupaiids, prosimians, and marsupials. The joint movements involved, however, have never been documented unequivocally although various interpretations (some contradictory) have been made. We report here radiographic data from species of the genera Didelphis, Felis, Nasua, Nycticebus, Potos, Sciurus, and Tupaia. In the six eutherians studied, three joints are involved, and there is a common pattern in the mechanism: crurotalar plantarflexion, subtalar inversion, and transverse tarsal supination. Hind foot reversal represents the development of an unusual degree of excursion at these joints, rather than the appearance of any new type of movement. In Didelphis the mechanism is quite different: a bicondylar, spiral tibiotalar joint is the principal site of inversion/abduction movements. This specialization is characteristic of didelphids and phalangerids, and occurs in the extinct multituberculates as well; it is not found in macropodids (which are like eutherians in crurotalar joint structure) or other marsupial families. This diversity in pedal structure and function is evidently the result of parallel evolution from the type of tibiotalar joint of cynodonts and early mammals. In Morganucodon the bulbous, hemispheroidal proximal surface of the talus bears two tibial facets. These facets are represented in didelphids and multituberculates as sulci, whereas in macropodids and eutherians they developed as the proximal and medial surfaces of the talar trochlea. Among living mammals, the primitive hemispheroidal joint is retained among monotremes as a ball and socket joint.

Notes: The sequence of appearance of the 17 different skull bones in the oriental fire-bellied toad, Bombina orientalis, is described. Data are based primarily on samples of ten or 11 laboratory-reared specimens of each of 11 Gosner developmental stages (36-46) representing middle through late metamorphosis. Ossification commences as early as stage 37 (hind limb with all five toes distinct), but the full complement of adult bones is not attained until stage 46 (metamorphosis complete). Number of bones present at intermediate stages is poorly correlated with external morphology. As many as four Gosner developmental stages elapse before a given bone is present in all specimens following the stage at which it may first appear. The modal ossification sequence is frontoparietal, exoccipital, parasphenoid, septomaxilla, premaxilla, vomer, nasal, maxilla, angulosplenial, dentary, squamosal, quadratojugal, pterygoid, prootic, interfrontal, sphenethmoid, and mentomeckelian. Most specimens are consistent with this sequence, despite the poor correlation between cranial ossification and external development as assayed by Gosner stage.The timing of cranial ossification in Bombina orientalis differs in many respects from that described for two other, distantly related anurans, the leopard frog (Rana pipiens) and the western toad (Bufo boreas). These include the total number and sequence of appearance of bones, and the timing of ossification relative to the development of external morphology. Interspecific variation may reflect differences in the timing of the tissue interactions known to underlie skeletal differentiation and evolution.

Notes: The ultrastructure of the Malpighian tubules, ileum, rectum, anal canal, and anal papillae of larvae of the mosquito Culiseta inornata was examined. The Malpighian tubules, rectum, and anal papillae have many of the ultrastructural features characteristic of ion transport tissues, i.e., elaboration of the basal and apical membranes and a close association of these membranes with mitochondria. The Malpighian tubules possess two cell types, primary and stellate. The larval rectum of C. inornata is composed of a single segment containing a homogenous population of cells. In this respect, the larval rectum of C. inornata is distinct from that of saline-water species of Aedes. The cells in the larval rectum of C. inornata, however, closely resemble those of one cell type, the anterior rectal cells, of the saline-water mosquito Aedes campestris with regard to cell and nuclear size, the percentage of the cell occupied by apical folds, and mitochondrial density and distribution. No similarities can be found between the rectum of C. inornata and the posterior segment of the saline-water Aedes, which functions as a salt gland. On this basis, we have postulated that the rectum of C. inornata does not function as a site of hyperosmotic fluid secretion. The ultrastructure of the anal papillae of C. inornata is consistent with a role in ion transport. The significance of these findings to comparative aspects of osmoregulatory strategies in mosquito larvae is discussed.

Notes: Among cockroaches in the subfamily of Oxyhaloinae, the adult males produce two essential and successively active chemical signals: the sex pheromone attracting females from a distance secreted by the sternal glands, and the aphrodisiac required for mating which is secreted by the tergal glands. The adult males of the seven species studied, Nauphoeta cinerea, Henschoutedenia flexivitta, Leucophaea maderae, Jagrehnia madecassa, Gromphadorhina portentosa, G. laevigata, and G. chopardi, possess well-developed sternal and tergal glands whose number varies according to the species and methods of mating (three to six sternal glands and four to seven tergal glands). These glands are basically composed of type three glandular units (glandular cell + duct cell) and type 2 cells (modified oenocytes) which exhibit no significant external cuticular modification except for tergite 2 of L. maderae. The extreme variance in development of these glands can be linked to sexual behavior. The hypothesis put forward here is that of a regressive evolution of the tergal glands, related to a modification of the role played by the aphrodisiacs which they secrete.

Notes: The gross morphology and histology of the alimentary tracts of three species of glassy perchlet; Ambassis productus, A. natalensis, and A. gymnocephalus from estuaries on the southeast coast of Africa were investigated. The anatomy of the digestive tracts in all three species was found to be similar. Well-developed dentition and pharyngeal teeth together with a distensible stomach and a low relative gut length (RGL) suggest a predatory and carnivorous habit for all three species.The relative gut lengths of Ambassis species from different estuarine systems are compared‥ Differences in RGL for A. productus and A. natalensis from the Kosi and St Lucia systems with fish from Mdloti estuary are discussed. It is suggested that decreased RGL for fish at Mdloti is attributable to decreased food availability and not to a lack in the calorific content of their diet.Histological investigation revealed the presence of the following regions: a pharynx; an oesophagus; a stomach differentiated into cardiac and pyloric regions; a duodenum or upper intestine; an ileum or lower intestine; and a rectum. Pyloric and rectal sphincters are present. The tunics of the above regions are described. The epithelium of the oesophagus contains taste buds and numerous mucus cells, and varies from stratified anteriorly to simple columnar posteriorly. The muscularis comprises dorsally and ventrally located inner muscle bundles and an outer circular layer. Both layers consist of striated fibres.Gastric glands are present in the mucosa of the cardiac stomach but are absent in the pylorus. Columnar absorbing cells and goblet cells are present in the epithelium of the upper and lower intestine. The rectum is distinguished from the intestine by the proliferation of mucous-secreting cells which are thought to aid defecation.

Notes: Cross sections through the middle segment of the anuran rectus abdominis muscle were analyzed morphometrically at nine stage of development, from early larval life through full maturity. The numbers, sizes, and relative distributions of twitch and slow muscle fibers, newly differentiated fibers, degenerating fibers, and satellite cells were determined at each stage. The data indicate that the muscle increases slowly in size and fiber content during early larval life. New fibers appear to form primarily along the medial margin of the muscle. During mid-larval stages, when thyroid hormone levels are rising, new fibers form throughout the medial portion of the muscle. At a slightly later stage, fibers in the lateral region of the muscle begin to degenerate. Structurally normal presynaptic elements are present on both degenerating fibers and the empty basal laminae of fibers that had been removed by phagocytes. Both fiber formation and fiber loss slow during midmetamorphic climax, at the time when thyroid hormone levels reach a peak in anurans and begin to decline. Degenerating fibers appear within the body of the muscle at the end of metamorphosis. By the end of the second postmetamorphic month, neither degenerating nor newly differentiated fibers are present. The muscle continues to grow through adult life primarily by fiber hypertrophy.

Notes: The adrenergic innervation of structures in the gills of brown and rainbow trout was studied with catecholamine fluorescence histochemistry.In the arterio-arterial vascular pathway, there was an innervation of the afferent and efferent lamellar arterioles, but the afferent and efferent filamental arteries and the secondary lamellae were devoid of any fluorescent nerve fibres. In S. trutta only, there was an additional innervation of the afferent and efferent branchial arteries and the base of the efferent filamental artery.The innervation of the arterio-venous vascular pathway was similar in both trout species. Many fluorescent nerve fibres were found on nutritive arterioles in the gill arch and interbranchial septum, and in the core of each filament between the surface epithelium and the wall of the filament venous sinus. No fluorescent nerve fibres were observed at the origins of the capillaries arising from the efferent filamental artery.The sympathetic nerve supply is provided to the gills mainly through the posttrematic nerve, with an occasional small contribution through the pretrematic nerve.The presence of adrenergic nerves in the gills is discussed in relation to the regulation of blood flow through the arterio-arterial and arterio-venous pathways.

Notes: The presence of both book lungs and a tracheal system in many spiders raises the question of the functional significance of this double respiratory system. The present physiological and morphometric study of the house spider (Tegenaria spp.) reveals that the diffusing capacity (Dto2) of the lungs alone suffices during rest and following exercise to meet measured rates of oxygen consumption (\documentclass{article}\pagestyle{empty}\begin{document}$ \mathop {\rm V}\limits^{\rm.} $\end{document}o2) at driving pressures (ΔPto2) similar to those calculated for vertebrate lungs. During moulting ΔPto2 may rise to more than double the vertebrate values, implying the possible insufficiency of book lungs during this critical life phase. Resting \documentclass{article}\pagestyle{empty}\begin{document}$ \mathop {\rm V}\limits^{\rm .} $\end{document}o2 is greatest (92 mm3/h · g) during the early morning and lowest (66 mm3/h · g) near midday: during moulting \documentclass{article}\pagestyle{empty}\begin{document}$ \mathop {\rm V}\limits^{\rm .} $\end{document}o2 rises to 278.7 mm3/h · g. In spiders recovering from exercise \documentclass{article}\pagestyle{empty}\begin{document}$ \mathop {\rm V}\limits^{\rm .} $\end{document}o2 is consistently greater than during rest: neither value is significantly reduced by blockage of the tracheal stigmas. Regression calculations of morphometric values for a hypothetical 100-mg Tegenaria yield a total lung volume of 0.578 mm3, a pulmonary surface area of 69.8 mm2, and a surface-to-volume ratio of 120.89 mm2/mm3. In spite of the similar thickness of the chitinous and hypodermal components of the air-hemolymph barrier (each ca. 0.2 μm in nonmoulting animals), the low permeability of chitin for oxygen makes this layer the greater barrier to diffusion. For a 100-mg specimen Dto2 is 3.5 mm3/h · torr: similar to that of a turtle (Pseudemys) on a gram-body weight basis.

Notes: The development of the polarity and bilateral asymmetry of the future adult zooid has been traced to their earliest morphological expression in the palleal bud of Botryllus. The account is based upon continued observation of living buds. The polarized antero-posterior and dorso-ventral axes are first expressed by the skewing of a symmetrical, hemispherical bud towards the anterior end of the parental bud. Identification of these axes is reinforced by the development of a loop-like blood circulation, the primary circulation, in the horizontal plane during the enlargement of the skewed hemisphere to form a stalked vesicle. Bilateral asymmetry is first expressed by the asymmetrical expansion of the vesicle stage. The right posterior corner of the vesicle expands further posteriorly and becomes more acute than the left posterior corner. This larger expansion persists throughout the development of the right atrial cavity, which finally expands across the mid-line to partially surround the gut. The bilateral asymmetry, expressed in the expanded vesicle, is reinforced by the development in sequence of a rounded gut rudiment and a pericardial rudiment in positions that would be expected from the asymmetry of the expanded vesicle. The first appearance of the gut rudiment occurs earlier than had been recognized previously. Conflicting accounts of the time and mode of formation of the pericardial rudiment have been clarified. The results of this study are discussed in the context of determination of bud territory, polarity and bilateral asymmetry.

Notes: Four glands of the house sparrow, chicken and turkey were examined histologically and for their content of amylase. These were the external and intermediate mandibular glands, the maxillary gland and glandula anguli oris of the sparrow and the anterior and posterior mandibular, maxillary and anguli oris glands of the chicken and turkey. Amylase was determined by a starch substrate slide method and by biochemical assay. General morphology and mucopolysaccharide staining are described.All four glands of the sparrow demonstrated significant amylolytic activity by the assay. In the external mandibular and anguli oris glands this activity could be traced to mucous and seromucous cells of origin by means of the starch substrate slide procedure. None of the glands of the chicken or turkey displayed significant amylolytic activity.

Notes: The distribution of monoamine (catecholamine and 5-hydroxytryptamine)-containing nerve cell bodies in the brain stem and hypothalmus of the frog (Rana temporaria) was investigated with the help of the histofluorescence technique of Falck and Hillarp ('62). At the level of the hypothalmus of this amphibian brain, catecholamine-containing nerve cell bodies are found mainly within three areas of the periventricular gray substance, namely the peroptic recess organ, the paraventricular organ and the lateral recess region. On the other hand, most of the 5-hydroxytryptamine (serotonin)-containing nerve cell bodies of the brain stem of Rana temporaria appear to be concentrated within the midbrain tegmentum. This huge mesencephalic nerve cell collection can be subdivided into medial and lateral groups. More caudally, at the level of the isthmic tegmentum, another group of 5-hydroxytryptamine-containing perikarya located close to the midline, within the so-called raphae region, is clearly outlined. The latter group of neurons extends caudally as far as the level of the medulla oblongata. In addition, a small group of catecholamine-containing nerve cell bodies is also found in the ventromedial portion of the rostral midbrain tegmentum, whereas a few other catecholamine type neurons are scattered throughout the lower brain stem of the frog and more especially near the ependymal wall of the fourth ventricle. As a whole, the 5-hydroxytryptamine-containing neuronal systems of the brain stem of Rana temporaria are much more elaborated than the catecholamine neuronal systems of the same structure.

Notes: The guinea pig soleus muscle is a convenient model for the study of slow-twitch intermediate (STI) fiber ultrastructure because it is composed entirely of fibers of this class. Such fibers were compared with fast-twitch red (FTR) and fast-twitch white (FTW) fibers from the vastus lateralis muscle.FTW fibers are characterized by small, sparse mitochondria, a narrow Z line and, an extensive sarcoplasmic reticulum arranged primarily in longitudinal profiles at the A band and with numerous expansions at the I band. Abundant mitochondria with a dense matrix and subsarcolemmal and perinuclear aggregations are typical of FTR fibers. These fibers contain a plexus of sarcoplasmic reticulum at the A band and a less extensive network at the I band. The Z lines are wider (890 ± 74 Å) than those of FTW fibers (582 ± 62 Å). STI intermediate fibers are distinguished from other types by wide Z lines (1205 ± 58 Å), a faint M band, and a less extensive sarcoplasmic reticulum. Compared to FTR fibers, STI fiber mitochondria are usually smaller with less notable subsarcolemmal accumulations.FTW fibers have a more limited capillary supply, rarely contain lipid inclusions, and thus may be restricted to phasic activity. Extensive capillarity, mitochondrial and lipid context, and fast contraction times indicate possible phasic and tonic roles for FTR fibers. STI fibers, characterized by numerous lipid inclusions, extensive capillarity, relatively numerous mitochondria, but slow contraction-relaxation cycles, are morphologically suited for tonic muscle activity.

Notes: The haemocytes of Calpodes ethlius are described with the light and electron microscopes. Five fine structurally distinct types are distinguishable. However only three of these, the granular haemocytes, sphaerule cells and oenocytoids can be positively identified using a series of histochemical stains on smears and on thick sections of araldite-embedded material. The classification is based entirely on the structural features even though several suggestions concerning their function can be made from their fine structure. Intermediates having features of more than one cell type suggest developmental relationships.