ALBERT

Notes: Teleost enameloid matrix has been proposed to be an ectodermal, mesodermal, or joint ectodermal-mesodermal product. To determine its origin we examined the ultrastructure of the inner dental epithelium (IDE), odontoblasts, enameloid, and dentin matrices of cichlid tooth buds at the stage of enameloid formation. © Alan R. Liss, Inc.Columnar IDE cells had apical and basal terminal webs and contained organelles associated with protein synthesis, including elongated secretory granules containing fibrillar material having cross-striations with 60-nm periodicity. The morphology of IDE secretory granules was typical of procollagen granules observed in a large variety of ectodermal and mesodermal cells synthesizing collagen. In contrast, the paucity of secretory granules within three odontoblast types indicates that these cells probably do not synthesize enameloid matrix. These observations are consistent with the idea that the bulk of the enameloid matrix is itself an ectodermal collagen synthesized and secreted by IDE cells.

Notes: The morphology and fine structure of the basilar recess and basilar papilla were investigated in four species of salamanders from the family Ambystomatidae. The otic relationships of the recess and papilla to the proximal part of the lagena and saccule are described, and new terminology is suggested for the periotic relationships of the basilar recess to a diverticulum of an intracapsular periotic sac. The basilar papilla consists of supporting cells united laterally by gap junctions, capped by microvilli uniformly arranged around a short, central cilium, and hair cells that typically show several synapses with a single afferent nerve fiber, each marked by a rounded synaptic body surrounded by vesicles. In contrast to anuran basilar papillae, efferent nerve terminals were observed in synapse with hair cells and, rarely, upon afferent fibers. The distal half of the ambystomatid papilla contained hair cells capped by tall ciliary bundles, with kinocilia that show swellings near their tips with delicate attachments to adjacent tall stereocilia. A tectorial body covers only this region of the papilla. Hair cells with shorter stereocilia, situated in the proximal half and at the papillar margins, are related only to filamentous extensions of the tectorial body. The ambystomatid basilar recess and papilla are compared to auditory end-organs in other vertebrates, and it is suggested that a basic distinction can be made between aural neuroepithelia in amniotes versus that in nonamniotic vertebrate ears.

Notes: Length-force relations, both active and passive, and twitch contraction characteristics were quantified for left medial gastrocnemius muscles of four young, four adult, and four old male Wistar rats. Muscle and bundle optimum length and muscle weight were also determined and subsequently used for calculation of a number of morphological characteristics of the muscles. Fiber optimum length was derived from muscle bundle optimum length. Generally, physiological characteristics remained constant during growth. There was no change either in active tension at muscle optimum length or in active working range relative to fiber optimum length, relative passive fiber stiffness, active force relative to passive force at optimum length, twitch contraction time and twitch half relaxation time at optimum length. A number of morphological changes, however, did take place in the medial gastrocnemius muscle during growth. Fiber optimum length increased but only by about 2 mm from youth to old age, whereas muscle optimum length increased by approximately 14 mm, presumably owing to extensive hypertrophy of the muscle fibers during growth. The priority for force of the medial gastrocnemius muscle (defined as the quotient of physiological cross-sectional area of a muscle and the cubed root of its volume, a measure independent of architecture and dimensions of muscles) increased during growth. This increase indicates that during growth the muscle shifts relatively more towards force generation than towards excursion generation. These findings are discussed in view of existing scaling theories.

Notes: An atlas of the brain of the horseshoe crab Limulus polyphemus is developed. All of the neuronal groups are identified and named, and regions of neuropil are segregated and named where possible. The nomenclature incorporates functionally neutral earlier names and assigns geographical names to newly distinguished structures. The atlas provides a basis for correlating the results of neuroanatomical, neurophysiological, and neurochemical studies, which yield information about individual neurons or groups of neurons in this species

Notes: In addition to the supralabial glands (strips of glandular tissue lying along the maxilla), most snakes of the family Colubridae possess an enlarged oral gland lying behind the eye and emptying near the rear maxillary teeth, the Duvernoy's gland. Duvernoy's gland is most probably homologous to the venom gland of viperid and elapid snakes, and occasionally has been implicated in cases of human envenomation. Although of possible medical concern, there is reason to believe that secretion from this gland serves a biological role different from that of the venom gland, namely a role primarily in digestion rather then largely in rapid prey immobilization. The parenchyma of the Duvernoy's gland comprise two cell types, a serous cell containing numerous, electron-dense secretory granules, and myoepithelial cells. There are no mucous cells in the parenchyma; instead cells of this type are located exclusively in the lining epithelium of the main duct. Numerous unmyelinated nerves pass between secretory acini. Observations of the supralabial gland reveal that this gland, in addition to serous cells, also contains mucous cells and a putative third cell type we designate as an intermediate cell.In cellular morphology, Duvernoy's gland is closest to the venom gland of elapids, and least like the venom gland of viperids. Compared to the venom glands in both families of venomous snakes, Duvernoy's gland lacks a large luminal secretory reservoir. Emptying of Duvernoy's gland is thought to involve release of secretion granules into the lumen, and movement of the secretory product from there may be supplemented by mechanical pressure exerted externally by nearby contracting striated mucles. These differences in structure and mechanism of secretion release are taken as evidence that although they are homologous, the two types of glands, Duvernoy's and venom glands, are functionally distinct.

Notes: Regional differences of the surface of planarian gastrodermal cells are emphasized by staining with ruthenium red (RR). It is proposed that such differences reflect functional diversity of the luminal, lateral, and basal surfaces of the cells. The luminal surface is coated with a uniform layer of the RR-positive substance, which penetrates into the intercellular space at the intermediate junction. The septate junction situated just beneath the intermediate junction shows a permeability barrier to the RR tracer. At the basolateral surface, however, RR stains the septate junction in which the electron density of individual septa is enhanced remarkably. The gastrodermal cells are delineated entirely with RR-positive substance passing freely through the gap junction fuses into the outer leaflets of adjacent plasma membranes. The irregularly dilated intercellular space at nonjunctional appositions includes a slight deposit of RR-positive substance which attaches to the plasma membrane. The basal surface is underlined by the continuous basal lamina, which consists of the lamina lucida and the lamina densa. The lamina densa has a conspicuous affinity for RR. The lamina lucida is characterized by irregular deposits of RR-positive substance, some of which concentrates on the hemidesmosomal portions. Treatment with the enzyme hyaluronidase prior to staining with RR abolishes the staining of the basal lamina. As a result, the material of the lamina densa appears flocculent.

Notes: The morphology and histology of the tongue in Sphenodon punctatus are described and used to infer function and to determine character state polarities in lepidosaurs. The tongue lacks an anterior notch and is covered with filamentous papillae, including specialized gustatory papillae containing taste buds. Lingual glands are restricted to mucocytes covering the papillae. Three intrinsic tongue muscles are identified and shown to be discrete fiber systems and not merely elaborations of the M. hyoglossus. These muscles interact with a connective tissue skeleton, particularly three septal planes, to cause changes in tongue shape. Tongue protrusion is probably caused by hyoid protraction and contraction of posterior genioglossus fibers; retraction by hyoid retraction, hyoglossus contraction, and contraction of anterior genioglossus fibers.It is argued that taste is important in prey discrimination and possibly in courtship. Vomeronasal function is probably mediated by inhalation and not tongue movement.Insertion of genioglossus fibers into the buccal floor is a derived feature of lepidosaur tongues. Derived features of squamate tongues include an anterior bifurcation, a divided genioglossus comprising medial and lateral portions, ventral transverse and circular muscle fiber systems around the hyoglossus, and the presence of a median septum. The tongue of the squamate family Iguanidae shares many plesiomorphic features with Sphenodon.

Notes: The epithelium of the ileum of Locusta migratoria is composed of a single layer of columnar cells surrounded on the luminal side by cuticle and on the haemocoel side by a circular muscle layer. Where the circular muscles contact the epithelium, longitudinal muscles are present and the epithelium is slightly reduced. Elsewhere, a subepithelial sinus separates the epithelium from the circular muscle layer. The epithelial cells are characterised by extensive infoldings of the apical and basal cell membranes, which in the latter case, produce a maze of interconnecting channels and spaces. Mitochondria are closely associated with both apical and basal infoldings, although the bulk of these organelles is located in the cytoplasm underlying the infoldings of the apical plasma membrane. Vesicles of assorted sizes occur throughout the cytoplasm. They are particularly abundant in the apical region, where they appear to be produced by pinocytosis. Larger vesicles, containing either material of varying electron density or smaller vesicles, occur in the medial and basal regions of the cells. The contents of some of these vesicles have, in section, a lamellar appearance, composed of concentric layers of material. Similar vesicles are present in the basement membrane as well as the cells and connective tissue of the subepithelial sinus. Microtubules and groups of ribosomes commonly occur throughout the cytoplasm, and lipid-like droplets are also present in some of the cells. Ultrastructural features of the epithelial cells are discussed in relation to current knowledge of the function of the ileum.

Notes: This work is concerned with the ultrastructural organization and some histochemical features of the vacuolar cells of the demosponge Oscarella lobularis. Vacuolar cells are characterized by large clear vacuoles containing an aqueous fluid. They are commonly found in the mesohyl of this sponge and tend to constitute a sort of parenchyma in the choanosome. Mobile cells of the mesohyl appear to differetiate into vacuolar cells through the progressive formation of wide cytoplasmic lacunae. We have identified four types of cells showing progressive transformation toward the vacuolar cell type. Precursors (types 1-4) of the vacuolar cells probably derive from endopinacocytes, since they share several histochemical and ultrastructural characteristics with them. Our data support the notion that vacuolar cells are involved in the synthesis of collagen, act as a mechanical support of the sponge body, and are eventually extruded from the sponge through the canals of the aquiferous system.

Notes: The innervation of the mandibular nerve of the worker honey bee was investigated primarily with methylene blue vital staining. Results on the motor innervation were compared with those of earlier work, yielding some corrections and new findings. The nerve to the mandibular abductor muscle not only carries motor fibers but also supplies sensory branches to the head integument and to the presumptive proprioceptors which probably monitor movements of the proboscis. A small neural mass which is equipped with two systems for proprioception is situated at the point where the mandibular nerve divides into its major branches. One system is composed of receptor muscles stretched between the anterior tentorial arm (AT) and the mandible and multipolar cells. The other is composed of elastic strands between AT and the apodeme of a smaller branch of the mandibular adductor and tripolar cells. The former is stretched by mandibular abduction and the latter by adduction. The two systems collectively are called the mandibular muscle receptor organ. There are two groups of receptor muscles: the outer receptor muscle, which is located outside the neural mass, and the inner receptor muscle located within. Only the latter is innervated by multipolar cells. Another, single, multipolar cell is attached to the surface of the tendon of the inner receptor muscle. A further pair of bipolar-multiterminal cells attaches to the epidermis at the extremity of the apodeme of the mandibular adductor. One originates from the mandibular nerve and the other from the labral nerve. Both presumably respond to the epidermal expansion caused by mandibular abduction.

Notes: A tympanohyal bone is reported in dolphins for the first time. The exceptional occurrence of this element in the bottlenose dolphin (Tursiops truncatus) and its location in a furrow of the tympanic can be taken as a vestige of an ancestral conformation indicating that, in cetacean ancestry, uncoupling of the periotic from the mastoid must have taken place laterally and dorsally to attachment of the hyoid arch and the stylomastoid foramen. There is a good correspondence between morphology and topographical relations of structures surrounding the facial canal in toothed whales and terres-trial mammals (especially perissodactyls and artiodactyls).During early cetacean evolution, the tympanic had to undergo strong modification because of its functional correlation with the periotic. In precetaceans, the tympanic was probably loosely attached to neighboring skull bones, while at the same time it was suspended from the periotic via the tympanohyal. The earliest known cetaceans obviously lost this indirect osseous suspension but retained the peripheral attachments of the tympanic. In advanced archeocetes, two of these attachments are maintained but have shifted onto the periotic. In modern dolphins, the tympanic is in firm osseous contact exclusively with the periotic (tympano-periotic complex). Both elements are isolated from the skull acoustically and form a separate mechanical unit specialized for high-frequency underwater sound perception.

Notes: The ultrastructure of the morula cells of Eupentacta quinquesemita and the distribution of these cells in the dermal connective tissue are described. Morula cells are abundant in the dermis and appear to function in the maintenance of the extracellular matrix (ECM) as a source of ground substance material. The synthetic activity of these cells is described in detail. Morula cells are filled with large secretory vesicles containing three electrondense materials which are derived from rough endoplasmic reticulum and Golgi activity. The synthetic product of these cells contains glycosaminoglycans and is secreted into the ECM by degranulation. The ultrastructural and histochemical similarity of the degranulation product to the ECM ground substance suggests that they are comprised of the same material. Morula cells appear to function primarily in connective tissues where ground substance predominates. The cells often contain secretory vesicles at various stages of formation, all of which eventually mature and degranulate. The synthetic pathway of the morula cells appears to result ultimately in the complete disruption and death of the cells. The function of morula cells in the holothuroid ECM is discussed, and the synthetic activity of the cells is compared with that of other secretory cells.

Notes: Early events during mouth formation in embryos of the starfish Pisaster ochraceus have been studied with scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). Embryos examined by TEM were fixed in glutaraldehyde with Alcian blue, a dye which preserves extracellular materials. Initially, mesenchyme cells migrate off the tip of the archenteron, leaving a defect in the cell layer that is covered by the basal lamina. This region of “naked” basal lamina bulges into the blastocoele and forms a hemispherical blister. At the same time that this is occurring, filamentous and conical processes extend from the inner surface of the presumptive stomodeal ectoderm cells which are located directly opposite the bulge of basal lamina. These processes penetrate the ectodermal basal lamina and project “naked” plasmalemma into the blastocoele. Shortly after this, the blister of endodermal basal lamina becomes irregular in shape, and scattered cells are found both within the blister and between it and the presumptive stomodeal ectoderm cells. Processes of endodermal cells appear to make contact with the filamentous processes of the stomodeal ectoderm cells. In other embryos which appear to be at a slightly later stage, the free basal lamina is conical in shape and is associated with at least one conical ectodermal process. In yet other embryos, the free endodermal basal lamina is either in contact with several other large processes forming a circular region of contact, or the free endodermal and ectodermal basal laminae are fused at the edge of the circle. Degeneration of both the ectodermal and endodermal basal laminae located within the circle, and subsequent invagination of the stomodeal ectoderm, appear to complete this process. The pulsations of stomodeal ectodermal cells seen throughout early stages in mouth formation may be involved in these events.

Notes: The vascularization of the distal accessory flexor muscle (DAFM) in the walking legs of the lobster, Homarus americanus, was examined with dye injection and electron microscopy. Vascularization of this flat, thin DAFM is via two vessels, one supplying the tendinal region of the muscle and the other the exoskeletal region. The vessels that originate from the single major limb vessel, subdivide extensively over the DAFM and form a profuse network that has hitherto gone unnoticed. The degree of vascularization of individual fibers was determined by periodic sampling along its length with thin-section electron microscopy. At each and every sampling station, individual fibers had several (seven to eight), small-diameter (4 μm) blood vessels in their cross-sectional profile. In contrast, nerve terminals of the excitor and inhibitor axon were rarely encountered. This high degree of vascularization was found amongst fibers that are from different regions of the DAFM and differ in the performance of their excitatory synapse but are similar in their structural and contractile properties.

Notes: The secondary palate of mammals is a bony shelf that closes the ventral aspect of the rostrum. The rostrum, therefore, approximates to a tapered semicylindrical tube that is theoretically a mechanically efficient structure for resisting the forces of biting, including the more prolonged bouts of mastication typical of mammals. Certain mammal-like reptiles illustrate stages in the development of the palate in which the shelves projecting medially from each premaxilla and maxilla do not meet in the midline. We evaluate several geometric properties of sections through the rostrum of the American opossum (Didelphis virginiana). For loading at the incisors and canines, these properties indicate the structural strength and stiffness in both bending and torsion of the rostrum and of single maxillae. We then repeat the analysis but progressively omit segments of the palatal shelf, a procedure which simulates, in reverse, the evolutionary development of the structure. The results demonstrate that the secondary palate contributes significantly to the torsional strength and stiffness of the rostrum of Didelphis and to the strength of each maxilla in lateromedial bending. The major evolutionary implications of the results are that the rapid increase in rostral strength with small increments of the palatal shelves may have been a significant factor in the development of the complete structure. The results indicate that there was a marked jump in torsional strength and stiffness when the shelves met in the midline, which is likely to have been important in the subsequent development of the diverse masticatory mechanisms of cynodonts and mammals. On the basis of this analysis the mammalian secondary palate may be interpreted as one of a number of methods, seen in the mammal-like reptiles, for strengthening the rostrum.

Notes: Data from adult birds, crocodilians, Sphenodon, squamates, turtles, and from the chick embryo are compared to test conflicting hypotheses of homology of the deep dorsal thigh muscles of birds and other reptiles. This comparison suggests that: (1) avian Mm. iliofemoralis externus and iliotrochantericus caudalis (herein renamed “iliofemoralis cranialis”) are homologous with M. iliofemoralis of other reptiles; (2) avian Mm. iliotrochanterici cranialis and medius are homologous with one of two divisions of M. pubo-ischio-femoralis internus found in other reptiles (pars dorsalis of Crocodylia); (3) avian M. iliofemoralis internus (herein renamed “cuppedicus”) is homologous with the other division of M. pubo-ischio-femoralis internus (pars medialis of Crocodylia). This hypothesis implies a minimum of seven transformations in the number of muscles and their positions of origin and insertion in the evolution of Aves, five of which are recapitulated during ontogeny of the chick. The traditional recognition of three muscles in the “iliotrochantericus group” is topographically accurate, but it is a misnomer and has been a source of misdirection when these muscles are studied in a phylogenetic context. Variations within Aves in the presence of the iliotrochantericus muscles (cranialis or medius) and the iliofemoralis muscles (externus or cranialis) are results of heterochronic perturbations of a conserved developmental program. Unlike most previous interpretations, this view of homology suggests that the evolution of avian bipedality was accompanied by few myological transformations, despite profound modification of the skeleton.

Notes: The ultrastructure of the parathyroid glands was studied in chick embryos developing normally in ovo or in shell-less culture (after removal of the eggshell). Shell-less chick embryos are significantly hypocalcemic relative to their in ovo counterparts. At 12 days of incubation, the parathyroid glands of shell-less embryos contain more lipid and show evidence of increased protein synthetic activity relative to those grown in ovo (more rough endoplasmic reticulum, presence of some dense secretory granules). The glands from in ovo embryos do not contain secretory granules at this age. At 15 days of incubation, the in ovo glands have developed signs of protein synthetic activity similar to those of the 12-day shell-less embryos. However, the parathyroids of the 15-day shell-less embryos appear strikingly more active than at 12 days, containing stacks of concentric RER membranes and increased numbers of secretory granules. By 18 days of incubation, the ultrastructure of the glands of the two groups is indistinguishable, both appearing to be more active than the 15-day shell-less group. Thus, protein synthetic activity of the parathyroid glands, as detected by ultrastructural alterations of the chief cells, normally appears to be initiated during the latter part of embryogenesis (by approximately 15 days incubation) and its onset can be stimulated at least 3 days prematurely by hypocalcemia.

Notes: The morphology of the opercularis system of anuran and caudate amphibians suggests that it acts to produce motion of the operculum that in turn produces fluid motion within the inner ear. The operculum and opercularis muscle form a lever system, with a narrow connection between the operculum and otic capsule acting as a fulcrum about which the operculum moves in response to forces applied via the muscle. The opercula of many species possess a muscular process on which the muscle inserts, thereby increasing the moment arm through which the muscle acts. The tonicity of the opercularis muscle allows tensile forces produced by substrate vibration or other mechanical energy applied to the forelimb to be effectively transmitted to the operculum; the elasticity of the connective tissue holding the operculum in place should act to return the operculum to its original position. The opercularis systems of frogs and non-plethodontid salamanders are similar structurally and functionally; that of plethodontid salamanders is structurally distinct but also functions as a lever system. Fluid motion produced by opercular motion could stimulate various end organs of the inner ear; the saccule, lagena, and amphibian papilla are in close approximation and wave energy could directly affect their otoconial or tectorial structures. In those anurans with a tympanic ear, the stapedial footplate and operculum articulate, but this articulation allows both to move independently. The stapes-tympanum complex and opercularis system therefore appear to be independent functional systems, and it is unlikely that the opercularis system modulates middle ear responsiveness. The general design of the opercularis system is consistent with a function in reception of substrate vibrations.

Notes: Species of the salamander genus Plethodon have a characteristically uniform morphology. Morphological conservatism at the level of interspecific comparisons, however, is not always reflected within species. Perhaps the most extreme example of intraspecific variation is the recent description of extensive variability in limb-skeletal patterning both within and between populations of the widespread species P. cinereus. We utilized limb regeneration following experimental amputation as a tool (1) to examine whether naturally occurring variant skeletal patterns result from limb loss and regeneration in nature, and (2) to assay the intrinsic (i.e., genetic) component of between-individual variation in mesopodial patterning. We observed the following. First, regenerate patterns are strikingly different from native patterns: interelement fusions in regenerates are typically between proximodistally adjacent cartilages, whereas interelement fusions in native variant limbs occur exclusively between laterally adjacent cartilages. Fusions also are over ten times more frequent in regenerates than in native limbs. Second, there is no strong correlation between native limb pattern (typical vs. variant) and the regenerate pattern. We conclude that variability in field-collected P. cinereus reflects extensive intrapopulation variation in limb-skeletal patterning during original limb development, rather than regeneration in nature, and that limb regeneration analysis provides no evidence of a strong genetic component to between-individual variation. Finally, unusual mesopodial patterns produced during limb regeneration may be related to the mechanical factors impinging on the regenerating limb in this terrestrial species.

Notes: The centra of Lepisosteus are perichondral ossifications of arcualia (i.e., arcocentra), whereas those of Amia are direct perichordal ossifications (i.e., autocentra) that enclose the arcualia. The preural centra of Lepisosteus are monospondylous, whereas the ural centra are formations of inter- and basidorsal arcualia. In contrast, the preural centra of Amia are diplospondylous, whereas preural centrum 1 (and sometimes preural centrum 2) and ural centra are monospondylous. The ural centra of Lepisosteus are expansions of dorsal arcualia, but those of Amia are expansions of the basiventral autocentrum. This explains the fusion of the neural arches with the ural centra and the presence of autogenous hypurals in Lepisosteus, in contrast to the situation in Amia in which the compound ural neural arch (the fused ural neural arches) is free, and the hypurals are fused to the ural centra. Lepisosteus possesses true epurals, which are modified neural spines, whereas in Amia the “epurals” are positioned between the neural spines like radials. Lepisosteus and Amia possess a polyural caudal skeleton with a one-to-one relationship between ural centra and hypurals; the number of hypurals may be reduced in adult Lepisosteus.

Notes: Samples of perirenal adipose tissue were obtained from four fetuses from each of seven crossbred gilts at each of three stages of gestation: 70, 90, and 110 days. Samples were routinely prepared for histochemistry and histology. At each age, the largest fat cell clusters were consistently located near points where large blood vessels entered the loose connective tissue. Cell-cluster size decreased with distance from the entry points of large blood vessels. Fat cells proximal to entry points of large arterioles and fat cells distal to entry points of large arterioles were the same size. Enzyme cytochemistry disclosed that reactions for glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenose (G6PDH), lipoprotein lipase (LPL) and NADH-TR enzymes were reduced in distal (relative to entry points of large arterioles) adipocytes compared with proximal adipocytes. Reactions for succinate dehydrogenase (SDH) and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) in adipocytes were not influenced by location within the tissue. Small fat cell clusters with sparse capillary beds surround arterioles in distal areas of sections from fetuses at 70, 90, and 110 days of gestation. In the proximal areas of sections from 110-day-old fetuses, arterioles were surrounded by large fat cell clusters with dense capillary beds. These characteristics serve to distinguish perirenal depots from subcutaneous depots in the fetus.

Notes: In an effort to understand the variation and probable origin of a female copulatory organ found in isopods of the asellote superfamily Janiroidea, the morphology of female reproductive structures among the Asellota was surveyed. Examples of four asellote superfamilies were studied using whole mount staining after potassium-hydroxide maceration or clearing with lactic acid. In contradiction to previous conclusions, the cuticular organ is shown to occur in the more primitive Asellota, although the position of its opening varies considerably. In the genera Asellus, and Stenetrium, Munna, and Santia, the cuticular organ originates adjacent to the oopore, and in the remaining janiroidean isopods, it is placed dorsally and usually anteriorly. This information permits a simple hypothesis explaining the origin of the cuticular organ: it was present in the proximate ancestor of the Asellota and evolved to the janiroidean condition by anterodorsal migration.

Notes: The spinal cord of two tetraodontiform fishes, the Japanese file fish (Navodon modestus) and the panther puffer (Takifugu pardalis), are unusual among vertebrates in having a markedly abbreviated spinal cord with a long and flattened filum terminale. Only the rostral short part of the cord of both species is cylindrical; the greater part of the cord is markedly flat. The majority of the spinal nerve roots leave the short cylindrical part. The flattened part of the cord contains the central canal, myelinated nerve fibers, and a few motoneurons surrounding the cauda equina, and it is histologically similar to the filum terminale of amphibians and mammals. The spinal cords of other teleosts, the sun-fish and angler, also are abbreviated and possess a filum terminale and cauda equina. These orders possess an enormous head and short trunk. However, the correlation between this body form and an abbreviated cord is not causal, since the tetraodontiform species described here show ordinary body proportions. The spinal cord may be abbreviated in tetraodontiform fishes in general.

Notes: Estivation in Protopterus is an episodic event characterized by elaboration of a cocoon as ambient water is withdrawn, a state of torpor, and distinctive cardiorespiratory and metabolic changes. Among the more striking of these features is a decrease in oxygen consumption, a complete reliance on air breathing to satisfy metabolic need, a slowing of the heart rate, and a drop in blood pressure. The initiating mechanism for these dramatic changes is not known. As yet, specific “estivating factors” have not been identified. However, the pattern of decrease in oxygen uptake during estivation and starvation are quite similar, suggesting that a common factor may be involved in both. Attempts to implicate suppression of thyroid function in the onset of estivation have been unconvincing. Although initiating mechanisms for estivation in Protopterus remain uncertain, once estivation sets in a variety of adaptive changes occur that enable the estivating lungfish to survive for months to years without ingesting food or water. Among these are oliguria and a shift in metabolic pathways. Although estivation in Protopterus has been characterized with respect to cardiorespiratory and metabolic parameters, no attempt is made to extrapolate from the biologic processes in Protopterus to other lepidosirenid lungfish or to other genera.

Notes: The cephalic muscles in three species of Entechinus, two species of Opheodrys, and Symphimus mayae display patterns of interspecific variation that are largely congruent with patterns of variation previously described for the skulls of these species. This congruence does not stem from direct correlation between the shapes of associated bones and muscles. In these colubrid snakes, most interspecific variations in muscle form involve changes in the shape or relative position of attachment points that appear unrelated to changes in the gross form of the bony surfaces forming the attachment points and produce no major changes in the architectural array of fibers in the muscle. Data presented here, combined with information from previous comparative studies of colubroid cephalic muscles, support the hypothesis that these muscles are limited in their potential variability by factors favoring parallel arrangements of fibers.

Notes: Formation of lateral vessels in the esophageal region of Prosorhochmus americanus embryos and coelomogenesis in the pygidial region of larval Magelona sp. are examined and compared. Earliest vessel rudiments of P. americanus are composed of a compact band of mesodermal cells (mesodermal band), lying on a layer of extracellular matrix (ECM) and lacking intercellular junctions. Rudiments are surrounded by presumptive muscle cells. Rudiments at later stages of differentiation possess lumina of differing sizes formed by a separation of apposing cell apices (schizocoely). Aohagrens junctions are apparent between lining cels of vessels following cavitation, and overlying muscle cells exhibit many myofilaments. Mesodermal bands of the recognized coelomate, Magelona sp. consist of glycogen-rich, mesodermal cells resting on ECM and joined by adhaerens junctions. Some of the cells possess a rudimentary cilium. Coelom formation occurs as a splitting of the cell band as is the case for P. americanus. Recognition of an accepted mode of coelomogenesis in P. americanus, correlated with morphological details of adult nemertine vessels, affirms the view that nemertine vessels are coelomic homologues.

Notes: Eggs of the asteroid Pisaster ochraceus demonstrate cortical granules, a thick vitelline membrane, and a poorly stained jelly coat similar to that seen on the eggs of other echinoderms. When fixed in the presence of alcian blue the jelly coat is seen to be made up of three regions, an inner layer consisting of a meshwork of fibres, a middle layer of thicker fibres, and a dense outer layer. At fertilization the cortical granules release their contents into the potential space between the vitelline layers and a low fertilization membrane consisting of the vitelline layer and a dense component of the corticle granule is formed. Initially the remaining contents of the corticle granules form an amorphous hyaline layer that fills the space between the plasma membrane and the fertilization membrane. At hatching a distinct hyaline layer is present. It persists at least to the bipinnaria stage and consists of four distinct layers. A similar layer is also located over much of the early embryonic endoderm but is lost from the regions involved in the formation of the mesenchyme cells, coelom, and mouth just before these events take place. Numerous large clear vesicles are located in the apex of all cells associated with a hyaline layer. Where the hyaline layer is lacking, only scattered vesicles are present suggesting that the vesicles may be involved in maintenance of the layer. Attempts to identify elements of the hyaline layer by immunofluorescence demonstrated that it appears to bind both antisera and control sera in a nonspecific manner.

Notes: Six fiber types have been described in the ambiens muscle of red-eared turtles. These include one slow oxidative type, two fast oxidative types, two fast oxidative and glycolytic types, and one fast glycolytic type. Fiber types are non-randomly distributed throughout cross sections of the muscle. There is a decreasing gradient of oxidative staining and an increasing gradient of glycolytic staining along an axis from the superficial to deep regions of the muscle. The slow oxidative fibers are predominantly located within one or two fascicles of the superficial surface of the muscle. The fast glycolytic fibers are predominant in deep fascicles.In contrast to previous reports of histochemically monotypic intrafusal fibers in turtle muscle, ambiens muscle spindles have been observed containing one to eleven intrafusal fibers, including two fiber types. Fiber diameter and area are consistently smaller than observed in most extrafusal fibers. Spindles are predominantly located in superficial and cranial fascicles of the ambiens muscle and are located in regions characterized by extrafusal fibers with high oxidative activity.

Notes: Ultrastructural examination of the head kidney of Periophthalmus koelreuteri (Pallas) (Teleostei, Gobiidae) revealed that the nephronic tubule cells are bound by tight junctions and desmosomes with little intercellular space. The first proximal segment (PI) consists of low columnar cells with well developed brush borders, indented nuclei, and numerous apical endocytic vesicles and lysosomes. A second cell type possessing clusters of apical cilia and lacking brush border and lysosomes is occasionally found between PI cells. The second proximal segment (PII) is formed of high columnar cells with brush border, regular spherical nuclei and numerous mitochondria located between well developed infoldings of the basal membrane. Single ciliary structures protrude into the lumen from PI and PII cells. The distal segment is lined by low columnar epithelium with few microvilli, regular spherical nuclei, numerous scattered mitochondria, and microbodies. The collecting tubule cells are cuboidal with few euchromatic nuclei, some mitochondria, and secondary lysosomes.

Notes: The feeding mechanism of the South American lungfish, Lepidosiren paradoxa retains many primitive teleostome characteristics. In particular, the process of initial prey capture shares four salient functional features with other primitive vertebrates: (1) prey capture by suction feeding, (2) cranial elevation at the cranio-vertebral joint during the mouth opening phase of the strike, (3) the hyoid apparatus plays a major role in mediating expansion of the oral cavity and is one biomechanical pathway involved in depressing the mandible, and (4) peak hyoid excursion occurs after maximum gape is achieved.Lepidosiren also possesses four key morphological and functional specializations of the feeding mechanism: (1) tooth plates, (2) an enlarged cranial rib serving as a site for the origin of muscles depressing the hyoid apparatus, (3) a depressor mandibulae muscle, apparently not homologous to that of amphibians, and (4) a complex sequence of manipulation and chewing of prey in the oral cavity prior to swallowing. The depressor madibulae is always active during mouth opening, in contrast to some previous suggestions.Chewing cycles include alternating adduction and transport phases. Between each adduction, food may be transported in or out of the buccal cavity to position it between the tooth plates. The depressor mandibulae muscle is active in a double-burst pattern during chewing, with the larger second burst serving to open the mouth during prey transport. Swallowing is characterized by prolonged activity in the hyoid constrictor musculature and the geniothoracicus.Lepidosiren uses hydraulic transport achieved by movements of the hyoid apparatus to position prey within the oral cavity. This function is analagous to that of the tongue in many tetrapods.

Notes: The cupula of the supraorbital neuromast in the lateral line canal of the clown knifefish contains vertical columns. In the central region of the cupula overlying the macula, these columns are densely packed, are relatively constant in size, and run from the base of the cupula to the surface of the cupula which is exposed to canal fluid. There are two types of columns, dark and light, which form elliptical compartments in planes of section that cut across the columns; the cupula therefore has the appearance of mosaic tile in such sections. The dark compartments contain tubules that extend from the base of the cupula at the junction with the macula to the top of the cupula. Each tubule is associated with the kinocilium of a single hair cell. The lateral parts of the cupula, not overlying the macula, also contain compartments, but these compartments differ in size and structure from those in the central region. In addition to the compartments, the central region of the cupula also contains spherical aggregates of droplets. These small aggregates, termed mora, are found principally in a layer within the central region of the cupula, but are also found outside this layer. Because of their light-reflecting properties, the mora can be used for noninvasive optical measurements in vivo of the motion of the cupula.

Notes: Light and electron microscopic examination demonstrated two types of non-endocrine agranular cells, cavity boundary cells and stellate cells, in the adenohypophysis of the South American lungfish, Lepidosiren paradoxa. The cavity boundary cells line the hypophyseal cleft and diverticulum and display few microvilli, occasional cilia, prominent junctional complexes, and many cytoplasmic microfilaments. The stellate cells are scattered in the glandular parenchyma and are devoid of microvilli and cilia. When adjacent, they are connected to one another by desmosomes. Pinocytotic vesicles or caveolae are frequently seen along the plasma membrane of the agranular cells adjoining the endocrine cells or abutting on the basement membrane. Possible roles of the agranular cells, physically and metabolically supportive functions, are discussed on the basis of their ultrastractural features.

Notes: The paired organ of Bellonci protrudes from the optic lobe of the giant Antarctic isopod, Glyptonotus antarcticus. It is linked to the cortex by a broad peduncle. No connection to the cuticle or “sensory pore organ” was found. A cluster of sensory-like cells forms two outer ciliary segments branching into numerous microvilli with microtubules. The putative sensory somata are irregular in shape and contain a very high density of glycogen granules. The two outer segments sprout from two pits of the soma in different directions, forming a right angle. Glial cells wrap around the sensory cells and also delimit lacunae into which bundles of microvilli project. These lacunae contain electron-dense granules of small size and with species-specific patterns. Lacunae and dense granules show features typical of a degeneration process in the sensory cells.This general morphology corresponds to the unilobular type of organ of Bellonci, known in other isopods; it differs from the plurilobular type with onion bodies found in other Crustacea.

Notes: Neuromast structure in Rana cancrivora larvae was observed by scanning and transmission electron microscopy. Neuromast units, each being composed of two or three neuromasts, are arranged in several well-defined lines in the head, body, and tail regions. The structure of neuromasts in these three regions is basically identical. The neuromast is composed of sensory, sustentacular, and mantle cells. The top of each neuromast has a hillocklike appearance, and is surrounded by four to six epidermal cells with tight intercellular junctions. Long kinocilia and many stereocilia occur in the apex of the neuromasts and are surrounded by numerous microvilli. Numerous granules are present on the apical portions of the mantle and the sustentacular cells. Four or five trapeziform mantle cells are connected closely with each other to form the shell of the neuromast. Large intercellular spaces occur between the mantle cells and the cells of the inner epidermal layers, and between the cells of the inner epidermal layer. Thus, at the apical parts of the neuromast intercellular junctions are tight and the intercellular spaces are more dilated in more basal areas. Morphologically the neuromasts of R. cancrivora larvae resemble those of generalized pond anurans, based on the grouping of Lannoo (Journal of Morphology 191:115-129, 1987a), although larvae of this species inhabit brackish water.

Notes: Orbital gland structure of the Atlantic bottlenose dolphin, Tursiops truncatus, was examined at the macroscopic, light microscopic, and electron microscopic levels. The gland completely encircles the ocular globe in a belt-like fashion near the conjunctival fornix but is considerably more developed medially. Duct openings are scattered throughout the fornix and over the surface of the palpebral conjunctiva. Microscopically, the gland has a tubuloalveolar arrangement; alveolar cells contain numerous secretory vesicles which can be interpreted as two structural types by light and electron microscopy. Histochemical staining demonstrates that both types contain glycosaminoglycans. Lipid analysis of the glandular secretion (dolphin tears) shows them to be non-oily and to contain only negligible amounts of cholesterol, triglycerides, phospholipids, and free fatty acids. The secretion is clear, slippery, and viscoelastic and well-adapted to protecting the eye and to reducing frictional forces between the eye surface and surrounding seawater.

Notes: The muscle fibers of the feline biceps femoris have tapered ends, across which tension is transmitted to the endomysium. The angle of taper of 11 ends, measured on scanning electron micrographs, varied between 0.16° and 1.18°. The muscle fibers are highly variable in cross-sectional shape. The shape of the fibers has been quantified as the ratio (form factor [FF]) of the measured perimeter to the calculated circumference of a circle having an area equal to that contained by the fiber perimeter. The FF for 173 terminal portions of fibers varied between 1.06 and 1.85 and was found to have a highly significant negative correlation with sarcomere length. The slope of the regression line suggests that the fibers maintain both volume and surface area as they change length. These studies suggest that isovolumic muscle fibers maintain a constant surface area by changing shape as they change length.

Notes: Salt glands of the domestic duck Anas platyrhynchos differ from those of the herring gull Larus argentatus and other birds. In ducks, each salt gland consists of distinct medial and lateral segments. Centrally located drainage ducts that extend along the entire length of these medial and lateral segments collect hypertonic fluid secreted by an array of lobules. Each lobule is formed by a single mass of branched tubules in which the direction of capillary blood flow is opposite to that of the secreted fluid. This fluid drains from the medial segment through an external duct that opens into the nasal cavity at the base of the vestibular fold. A duct from the lateral segment loops and opens onto the surface of the nasal septum. The structure and function of the secretory cells is reviewed briefly within the context of our study of the configuration of duck nasal salt glands.

Notes: A contrast radiographic study of pelvic fin drainage in rays reveals considerable differences in patterns of drainage among the species studied. The “typical” shark pattern of drainage, to the lateral abdominal vein, is also found in rays with shark-like morphology. However, variation in the connections of pelvic fin veins to muscular and cutaneous vessels of the pectoral fin occurs in the more “derived” batoid groups, with marked differences between rays of similar external morphology and mode of locomotion. There is a positive association between the pattern of fin drainage and the number of radial cartilages in the posterior (metapterygial) lobe of the pectoral fin. Variation in shark pelvic fin drainage may also be related to differences in pectoral fin morphology.

Notes: Dissections of Sudan black B stained specimens reveal that, of a complex of medial, intermediate, and lateral muscles of skates, presumed homologous to the cucullaris of sharks, only the lateral muscle is innervated by a branch or branches of the vagus and is inserted, in part, to the fused pharyngobranchials of the caudal visceral arches. The medial and intermediate muscles are supplied by separate branches of rostral spinal nerves and do not attach to the branchial skeleton. The lateral muscle therefore is the most likely homologue of the cucullaris (trapezius) of sharks and perhaps other fishes and tetrapods. The medial and intermediate muscles appear to be part of the axial musculature.

Notes: An immunocytological study of four different parts of the gut of Helix aspersa clearly demonstrates the presence of many cells and fibers immunoreactive toward antibodies directed to vertebrate (α, β-endorphin, α, β-MSH, ACTH 1-24 and ACTH 17-39, met-enkephalin, somatostatin, insulin, glucagon, P.P., serotonin) or invertebrate (FMRF-amide) peptides.These results are evidence of the presence of different substances related to known peptides or amines in the epithelial and connective tissue cells and nerve fibers of the snail gut. Immunocytochemistry may help to elucidate the morpho-functional characteristics of the enteroendocrine cells of H. aspersa.

Notes: A histochemical investigation of kidney and lower intestine of the European starling (Sturnus vulgaris) shows no carbonic anhydrase activity in proximal convoluted tubules, although activity is seen in similarly prepared sections of rat proximal tubules. Early distal tubule cells in the starling are stained throughout the cytoplasm and at the apical and highly infolded basolateral membranes. Late distal tubules lose apical activity and have reduced basolateral infolding, resulting in less intense staining. Darkly stained intercalated cells appear in the connecting tubules and cortical collecting ducts. Both of these segments also show intense basolateral staining. Medullary cones of the starling are highly organized, with central zones containing unstained thin descending limbs of loops of Henle, surrounded by both medullary collecting ducts with only scattered cells staining for enzyme, and by thick ascending limb segments. The latter contain many uniformly stained cells intermingled with occasional unstained cells. Scattered cells of the starling colonic villi demonstrate intense apical brush border membrane staining as well as cytoplasmic staining. Cells lining the cloaca stain less intensely. A biochemical assay for carbonic anhydrase was used to quantify enzyme activity in these tissues. Starling kidney contained 1.96 ± 0.33 (mean ± SEM) enzyme units/mg protein, less than half the activity seen in rat kidney. Stripped colonic epithelium contained 0.66 ± 0.15 enzyme units/mg protein. These quantitative results correlate well with the interpretations derived from the histochemical observations. The lack of proximal tubule carbonic anhydrase activity suggests that the avian kidney relies more on distal nephron segments to achieve net acidification of the urine.

Notes: The orientation of the fibers in the dermis of the tiger salamander, Ambystoma tigrinum, undergoes a dramatic repatterning at metamorphosis. The pre-metamorphic, larval dermis is a tight layer composed of crossed fibers that wind helically around the trunk. This condition is retained by neotenic adults which do not undergo metamorphosis. In contrast, the metamorphosed adult dermis consists of a superficial, loose network of fibers invested with large multicellular glands - -the stratum spongiosum - and a deeper tight layer of fibers - the stratum densum. However, unlike the crossed fibers of the pre-metamorphic dermis, there is no preferred orientation to the fibers in either layer of the post-metamorphic dermis.In order to evaluate whether these two distinctly different fiber patterns are constructed from biochemically similar fibers, the collagen types present in the pre- and post-metamorphic dermis were determined using SDS-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. Type I collagen is the predominant collagen of the dermis and the same major collagen types are present for all individuals, whether preor post-metamorphic. Thus, the major types of collagen that compose the dermal fibers do not change during metamorphic repatterning of the dermis.

Notes: In the first half of this century, several workers observed small, seemingly glandular structures attached to the ampullate glands of spiders. Hence, they were termed accessory ampullate glands. In juvenile Araneus cavaticus, two pairs of these structures are present (starting at least with third instars), one pair attached to the major ampullate (MaA) glands and the other pair attached to the minor ampullate (MiA) glands. In adults, two pairs of accessory MaA glands and two pairs of accessory MiA glands are present. The two latter-formed pairs of accessory ampullate glands are clearly the remnants of those ampullate glands which atrophy shortly after adulthood is reached. Morphological similarities between these accessory ampullate glands and those present in juveniles provide an indication that the latter also have their origin in functional ampullate glands.A reduction in the number of ampullate glands following the last molt occurs in many spiders. The reason(s) for these reductions is unknown. In penultimate spiders close to ecdysis, we have observed that while the larger pairs of MaA and MiA glands (those that are retained in the adult) are undergoing molt-related changes which apparently render them nonfunctional, their smaller counterparts are seemingly unaffected and functional. This raises the possibility that the principal role of the smaller ampullate glands may be to assume functions during the pre-ecdysial period which are normally in the domain of the larger ampullate glands. If true, then their degeneration after the last molt would make economic sense.The presence of cylindrical spigots in juvenile females starting with fourth instars is documented.

Notes: Three basic types of cells are distinguished in the rat vomeronasal epithelium at birth: bipolar neurons, supporting cells, and basal cells. Neurons at this time include both immature and differentiated cells. By the end of the first postnatal week, all neurons show morphological signs of maturity in their cytoplasm, including abundant granular and smooth endoplasmic reticulum, neurotubules, dense lamellar bodies, apical centrioles, and tufts of microvilli. During the third week microvilli are more frequently encountered and appear to be longer and more branched. Supporting cells appear well-developed by the second day after birth. During the first ten days of life, supporting cells lose their centrioles and all of the complex associated with ciliary generation in the apical zone. Basal cells appear to be more numerous in newborns than in older animals. Protrusions projecting into the lumen are frequently observed in the epithelium of newborn animals, both on the dendrites of neurons and on supporting cells. After the third week, such protrusions are only observed in the transitional zone between the sensory and the non-sensory epithelia of the vomeronasal tubes. In this transitional zone, a fourth cell type showing apical protrusions with microvilli differentiates. Cytoplasm in this type resembles that of neighboring ciliated cells but has no cilia or centrioles. These transitional cells are considered to be cells in an intermediate state of differentiation, between that of the differentiated neurons and supporting cells of the sensory epithelium and that of the predominate ciliated cells of the non-sensory epithelium. The results suggest that by the end of the third week the vomeronasal epithelium is morphologically mature.

Notes: The wall of the stomach of the tigerfish is described and compared with that of other vertebrates. Light microscopic and ultrastructural characteristics of the stomach wall correspond to a large extent to those of other vertebrates, although some differences are found. The mucosa contains (1) surface epithelium characterized by narrow columnar cells with abundant mucous granules; (2) gastric glands consisting of pepsinogenic cells of variable height, containing tubulovesicles and bearing microvilli; (3) five granulated cell types located basally in the epithelium (types 1-5); and (4) lamina propria and muscularis mucosae. Connective tissue separating smooth muscle fibers of the muscularis mucosae constitutes a stratum compactum. The submucosa contains a loose connective tissue, a tunica muscularis of inner circular and outer longitudinal layers, and a serosa of mesothelium and subjacent connective tissue. Immunocytochemical tests with antisera to five polypeptides show gastrin/cholecystokinin (CCK), vasoactive intestinal polypeptide (VIP) immunoreactivities in some cells of the gastric glands, and somatostatin in cells lying among epithelial cells lining the gastric luminal surface or gastric pits.

Notes: Previous studies by Stephens and McNulty and Strecker and Stephens have demonstrated that foil barriers placed between the mesonephros and lateral plate at stages 12 to 15 inhibited limb development, but foil barriers placed between the neural tube and somites at stages 11 to 12 resulted in limbs with normal skeletal patterns. It was concluded that some influence present in the paraxial region of the embryo at stages 11 to 15 is necessary for normal limb development. The present study was undertaken to localize that influence more precisely. Foil barriers were placed in the lateral edge of the somites or segmental plate of stage 10 to 15 chick embryos. Barriers placed into stage 13 to 15 embryos resulted in chicks with normal limbs, but barriers placed into stage 10 to 11 embryos resulted in chicks with defective limbs. Barriers inserted just lateral to Hensen's node at stages 6 to 8 resulted in embryos with defective or absent wings. We also grafted stage 4 to 9 presumptive limb territories with and without Hensen's node. Explants without Hensen's node formed limb-like structures in 1% of the cases. Explants with Hensen's node formed limb-like structures in 27% of the cases. When barriers were implanted and a node was placed on the lateral side of the barrier, limbs formed in 40% of the cases. These data suggest a medial to lateral progression of some as yet unknown morphogenetic influence necessary for normal limb development and we hypothesized that the influence may initially emanate from Hensen's node.

Notes: The limb bone skeleton of the moa, a family of extinct ratite birds endemic to New Zealand, is described with particular reference to the anatomical and functional significance of osteological landmark form variation. The results generally support the existing classification of moa. Four genera, Megalapteryx, Anomalopteryx, Dinornis, and Pachyornis, were found to be evolved within moa, with Emeus and Euryapteryx possibly being more primitive. Megalapteryx was found to be less mobile than other moa genera. The Dinornis species were found to be more cursorial and more mobile relative to other moa. They may also have had a different center of gravity. A marked development of the lower leg in Anomalopteryx suggested a digging habit associated with food procurement.

Notes: A detailed description of muscular and skeletal features of the pelvi-cloacal region of the amphisbaenian Blanus cinereus reveals that the species has real hind limbs articulating with a real pelvic girdle. Arguments support this homology: 1) a link with the vertebral column; 2) a movable articulation, showing all the features of a diarthrosis, between the femur and the acetabulum; 3) all the long bone characteristics for the femur which distally bears a horny element. The morphological peculiarities of the amphisbaenian pelvic girdle are generally close to those of lizards, but the pubis seems to be more reduced. For the same number of precloacal vertebrae, the amphisbaenians have more appendicular elements than lizards have, and this composition recalls that of the Leptotyphlopidae, Aniliidae, and Boidae. The account provides more information concerning the aponeuro-tendinous system associated to the skeleton of the girdle and the hindlimb, the musculature, and the interrelations between the different structures of the pelvi-cloacal region.

Notes: Programmed cell death is an integral and ubiquitous phenomenon of development that is responsible for the reduction of wing size in female moths of Orgyia leucostigma (Lymantriidae). Throughout larval and pupal life, cells of the wing epithelium proliferate and interact to form normal imaginal discs and pupal wings in both sexes. But at the onset of adult development, most cells in female O. leucostigma wings degenerate over a brief, 2-day period. Lysosomes and autophagic vacuoles appear in cells of the wing epithelium shortly after it retracts from the pupal cuticle. Hemocytes actively participate in removing the resulting cellular debris. By contrast, epithelial cells in wings of developing adult males of O. leucostigma do not undergo massive cell death. Wing epithelium of female pupae transferred to male pupal hosts behaves autonomously in this foreign environment. By pupation, cells of the female wing apparently are committed to self-destruct even in a male pupal environment. Normal interactions among epithelial cells within the plane of a wing monolayer as well as between the upper and lower monolayers of the wing are disrupted in female O. leucostigma by massive cell degeneration. Despite this disruption, the remaining cells of the wing contribute to the formation of a diminutive, but reasonably proportioned, adult wing with scales and veins.

Notes: We describe the localization of lipids in the wall and superficial ooplasm of the largest avian ovarian follicles by the use of different fixatives and light and electron microscopy. We demonstrate that each yolk globule is always accompanied by one or more highly osmiophilic and sudanophilic alcohol insoluble yolk masses, which we have called satellite yolk. Together with the protein containing yolk globule it forms an integral morphological part of a compartmentalized, bipartite yolk system. Cytochemical, histoautoradiographic, biochemical, and light and electron microscopical aspects of satellite yolk were studied. At the start of satellite yolk formation in the 3-4 mm diameter follicle (when the oocyte begins to yellow) the distribution of the microcirculation of the follicle wall becomes printed on the underlying superficial ooplasm of the oocyte. The oocyte then presents so-called yolk mountains (containing satellite yolk), only localized below the thecal capillary sinus and not below the efferent and radially perforating thecal veins (black hole regions). We also describe the structural continuity between the thecal intercellular spaces and the microvilli-associated extracellular spaces of the granulosa cells via the basement membrane. The thecal cells present centripetal extensions into the basement membrane and the basement membrane material extends centripetally into the granulosa microvillar channels. Therefore, at least two cellular barriers are crossed when fat or fat precursors are transported from the thecal capillary sinus to the ooplasm.

Notes: Embryos of the poeciliid Heterandria formosa develop to term in the ovarian follicle in which they establish a placental association with the follicle wall (follicular placenta) and undergo a 3,900% increase in embryonic dry weight. This study does not confirm the belief that the embryonic component of the follicular placenta is formed only by the surfaces of the pericardial and yolk sacs; early in development the entire embryonic surface functions in absorption. The pericardial sac expands to form a hood-like structure that covers the head of the embryo and together with the yolk sac is extensively vascularized by a portal plexus derived from the vitelline circulation. The hood-like pericardial sac is considered to be a pericardial amnion-serosa. Scanning and transmission electron microscopy reveal that during the early and middle phases of development (Tavolga's stages 10-18 for Xiphophorus maculatus) the entire embryo is covered by a bilaminar epithelium whose apical surface is characterized by numerous, elongate microvilli and coated pits and vesicles. Electron-lucent vesicles in the apical cytoplasm appear to be endosomes while a heterogeneous group of dense-staining vesicles display many features characteristic of lysosomes. As in the larvae of other teleosts, cells resembling chloride cells are also present in the surface epithelium. Endothelial cells of the portal plexus lie directly beneath the surface epithelium of the pericardial and yolk sacs and possess numerous transcytotic vesicles. The microvillous surface epithelium becomes restricted to the pericardial and yolk sacs late in development when elsewhere on the embryo the non-absorptive epidermis differentiates. We postulate that before the definitive epidermis differentiates, the entire embryonic surface constitutes the embryonic component of the follicular placenta. The absorptive surface epithelium appears to be the principle embryonic adaptation for maternal-embryonic nutrient uptake in H. formosa, suggesting that a change in the normal differentiation of the surface epithelium was of primary importance to the acquisition of matrotrophy in this species. In other species of viviparous poeciliid fishes in which there is little or no transfer of maternal nutrients, the embryonic surface epithelium is of the non-absorptive type.

Notes: The flagellum of the thysanopteran spermatozoon has been examined by electron microscopy and computer-aided image analysis. The flagellum consists of 27 microtubular elements that probably are formed as outgrowths from three separate basal bodies. Nine of the elements are normal microtubular doublets that carry dynein arms and nine are doublets without dynein arms. The remaining nine elements are microtubular singlets that apparently bear dynein arms and have the same appearance as A-subtubules of microtubular doublets. The 27 elements are arranged in a fixed pattern that consists of nine groups, each of which begins with a microtubular singlet and ends with an arm-less microtubular doublet. Computer-aided image analysis has shown that the A-subtubules of the doublets and the microtubular singlets have lumens with very similar patterns. The sperm tail is known to have some motility; it generates fast waves running along its length. The amalgamated axonemes hence act as a functional flagellum. The thysanopteran sperm tail is the only type of flagellum known to us that consists of microtubules in a highly asymmetric array.

Notes: Many arachnids lack extensor muscles at the femoropatellar (knee) joint of their legs and extend this joint with hydraulic pressure during locomotion. Pressure is generated through compression of the prosoma, but there is disagreement about which muscles are involved in this process. Many arachhnologists consider contraction of the musculi laterales, a group of modified extrinsic leg muscles, as the cause of high prosomal pressure and regard hydraulic extension as a derived feature. However, integration of results from phylogenetic and comparative anatomical studies supports the view that hydraulic extension is primitive in Arachnida and that fluid pressure is generated by contraction of endosternal suspensor muscles.The functional predictions of the musculi laterales and endosternite hypotheses were tested by measuring muscle activity and prosomal pressure during unrestrained locomotion in a primitively “extensorless” arachnid, the giant whipscorpion. The results corroborate the endosternite model and refute the musculi laterales model. Changes in the prosomal pressure baseline were correlated with changes in endosternal muscle activity, while the musculi laterales fired in a step-coupled pattern of discrete bursts that appeared to be incapable of generating the pressure observed during locomotion. Step-coupled fluctuations in prosomal pressure were observed but were apparently caused by rapid flexing of the femoropatellar joints of the fourth leg pair rather than contraction of the musculi laterales.

Notes: In the fungiform papilla of Rana esculenta (Anura Ranidae), the Ca++-ATPase is mainly distributed on the basolateral membrane of the sensory area cells (i.e., neuroepithelial, supporting, and mucous cells). Apical membranes of all cells facing the surface present a slight enzymatic activity. Lateral wall cells have a strong Ca++-ATPase activity on basolateral and apical membranes. Strong Na+, K+-ATPase activity occurs on the apical surface of neuroepithelial cells. Ca++-ATPase activity is absent on the surface of endothelial cells of the capillaries located under the sensory area. These observations lead us to conclude that the sensory area of fungiform papilla is the selective way for calcium influx. Furthermore the absence of ATPase activity on the surface of the endothelial cells indicates that there is no functional barrier to calcium influx into capillary, and that calcium can be removed by vessels from the sensory area.

Notes: Spermatogenesis and sperm ultrastructure were studied by transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) in the longidorid Xiphinema theresiae. All germ cell stages, except spermatogonia, are present in the testes of young adult males. The nonflagellated, slightly elongated sperm displays little intraspecific variation and, although never polarized into a head and tail region, has a remarkably precise form, with a high degree of internal organization. Incipient fingerlike pseudopodia appear in the young spermatid and increase to such an extent that the adult sperm has a conspicuous “woolly” appearance. Microfilament bundles encircle the perinuclear mitochondria in the spermatid, and seem to be closely associated with the evaginated plasma membrane, especially in the spermatozoon. A large nucleus with nuclear envelope is prominent in the spermatocyte, but the envelope is absent in the young spermatid. Mitochondria are present in all germ cell stages and undergo certain morphological changes (e.g., in size and number, presence or absence of cristae), as well as changes in intracellular movements during spermatogenesis. Membranous organelles are prominent in the spermatocyte, but disappear in the older spermatid. Annulate lamellae and a residual body (i.e., cytophore) are conspicuous in the spermatocyte and spermatid, respectively; the spermatozoon clearly lacks a refringent body (i.e., acrosome).

Notes: The morphology and distribution of muscle spindles of jaw and tongue muscles in the mallard were examined in serial transverse sections of single muscles and in horizontal sections of a whole head. Our observations on spindle morphology are in agreement with previous descriptions of spindles in birds. Some spindles differ in their innervation and the pattern of intrafusal muscle fibers. The spindles of individual adductor and pterygoid muscles are distributed unevenly. Some adductor muscles lack spindles, whereas those of other muscles are confined to limited areas. Jaw opening muscles and extrinsic tongue muscles lack spindles. The stretch of extrafusal muscle fibers could be estimated from the difference in sarcomere length for birds with the beak open and closed. Not all muscle fiber groups are stretched evenly over the whole range of jaw opening. Only those fiber groups that are continuously stretched during jaw opening contain spindles.

Notes: Living embryos of three species of South American annual fishes, Cynolebias constanciae, C. nigripinnis, and C. whitei, were observed from fertilization through the 10-somite stage. A description of normal stages of development applicable to all three species of Cynolebias is presented. Cleavage (stages 1-10) is meroblastic and produces a typical teleost blastoderm. Following cleavage (stages 11-13) blastomeres segregate into two populations, viz., (1) a population of deep blastomeres that will disperse as single motile cells, and (2) a hemispherical shell of outer blastomeres that flattens to form an enveloping cell layer (EVL). When epiboly of the EVL and the yolk syncytial layer (YSL) commences (stage 14), deep blastomeres clump together as a consolidation mass and then migrate outward as single cells on the YSL. When epiboly is concluded (stage 19), deep blastomeres have completely dispersed. If diapause does not intervene, the dispersed phase lasts only a few days. Subsequently, the dispersed cells come together to form a definitive aggregate (stage 27). Embryogenesis within the reaggregated mass of previously dispersed cells produces a typical teleost embryo.Early development in Cynolebias resembles that of other South American annual fishes, such as Austrofundulus, in that a phase of deep blastomere dispersion and reaggregation spatially and temporally separates epiboly from embryogenesis. Several features of development markedly differ from Austrofundulus. There are far fewer (250 vs. 2,500) deep blastomeres. Deep cells of Cynolebias are flattened rhomboids with filipodial extensions in contrast to the amoeboid cells of Austrofundulus. Blastomeres of dispersion and reaggregation stages in Cynolebias send out numerous cell surface extensions onto the YSL and in contact with one another, and often line up in rows as do some African annual fishes, e.g., Nothobranchius. During Dispersion II (stage 21), Reaggregation I (stage 22), and Reaggregation II (stage 23), deep cells move in an oriented pattern with respective mean velocities of 3.48 ± 0.91, 1.28 ± 0.46, and 1.31 ± 0.31 μm/minute. Cells move toward a granular mass of unknown composition, located at the YSL-yolk interface in the lower hemisphere of the egg. This mass appears to coincide with the site of cell reaggregation.

Notes: Several surfperches (Embiotocidae), including the black surfperch, Embiotoca jacksoni, exhibit a specialized prey handling behavior known as winnowing, in which ingested food and non-nutritive debris are separated within the oropharyngeal cavity. Prey items are swallowed, and unpalatable material is ejected from the mouth. Winnowing is believed to play an important role in the partitioning of food resources among sympatric embiotocids. We present a mechanistic model for this separative prey processing based on high-speed video analysis, cineradiography, electromyography, and buccal and opercular cavity pressure transducer recording.Winnowing by embiotocids is characterized by premaxillary protrusions repeated cyclically with reduced oral gape. Protrusion is accompanied by depression of the hyoid apparatus and adduction of the opercula. Alternating expansion and contraction of the buccal and opercular cavities generate regular pressure waveforms that indicate bidirectional water flow during processing. Separation of food from debris by Embiotoca jacksoni occurs in three phases. The prey-debris bolus is transported anteriorly and posteriorly within the oropharyngeal cavity and is then sheared by the pharyngeal jaws. Mechanical processing is complemented by the rinsing action of water currents during hydraulic prey transport.The feeding apparatus of Embiotoca jacksoni is functionally versatile, although not obviously specialized relative to that of nonwinnowing surfperches. Protrusion of the premaxillae and depression of the hyoid apparatus are critical to both prey capture and subsequent prey processing. The pharyngeal jaws exhibit kinematic patterns during separation of food from debris distinct from those observed during mastication of uncontaminated prey. This behavioral flexibility facilitates resource partitioning and the coexistence of E. jacksoni in sympatric embiotocid assemblages.

Notes: Quantifying shape is a broad problem in the morphological sciences. Most techniques for numerically describing shape abstract the shape into the most logical ideal Euclidean dimension. The fractional, or fractal, dimension is a simple computation that expresses shape in real, rather than ideal, space. The structured walk technique developed for the fractal analysis of rugged boundaries is applied here to the contour of the human sagittal suture in order to discriminate the separate morphological patterns of interfingering and interlocking. These attributes contribute differentially to the suture's “complexity,” a concept often used in biomechanical hypotheses. Previous techniques for estimating sutural complexity do not isolate small-scale from large-scale morphological patterns. Results indicate that despite the visual appearance of great variation, human sagittal sutures are remarkably consistent in the degree of complexity expressed separately by large-scale interfingering lateral excursions and small-scale interlocking ruggedness. There is no significant correlation between the absolute or bregma-lambda chord length of the human sagittal suture and its degree of complexity as determined by the structured walk technique.

Notes: Spermatophores in a squid, Todarodes pacificus, were observed by light and electron microscopy and were further analyzed by X-ray microanalysis (XMA) of frozen thin sections. Each spermatophore consists of a sperm mass, a cement body, an ejaculatory apparatus, and some fluid materials, all of which are covered by an outer tunic. The outer tunic consists of about 20 membranous layers, each containing straight, parallel microgrooves. Each layer's microgroove pattern is roughly in an orthogonal arrangement with respect to the next layer's pattern. The sperm mass, which is the only cellular component, consists of a sperm rope which is coiled more than 500 times. Most of the spermatozoa in the rope are arranged regularly and are enveloped in materials which are well-stained by Alcian blue. The cement body is located between the sperm mass and ejaculatory apparatus and has a hard outer shell with an arrowhead-like structure, presumably for penetration into the tissue of the female. Calcium and phosphorus are present in the shell of the cement body, which also has an affinity for alizarin red. The ejaculatory apparatus consists of two tubes, designated as the inner tunic and the inner membrane.After the spermatophoric reaction, a sperm reservoir is formed at the anterior end of the extruded and inverted ejaculatory apparatus. The sperm reservoir, which encases the sperm mass, is composed of the cement body at the anterior end and the inner tunic of the ejaculatory apparatus at the posterior end.

Notes: Spermiogenesis in the South American leptodactylid frog Odontophrynus cultripes was analyzed ultrastructurally. The spermatids undergo morphological modification while still enclosed in microtubule-rich processes of Sertoli cells. Electron-dense plates resembling junctional structures appear in regions at which the spermatids lie in close contact with the surface of Sertoli cell processes. Spermatid differentiation can be divided into five distinct stages based mainly on chromatin condensation. In the late stages, the densely compacted chromatin loses reactivity to ethanolic phosphotungstic acid (E-PTA). Helical arrangements of microtubules appear in the cytoplasm that surrounds the spermatid nucleus after the second stage. The acrosomal vesicle differentiates into a cone-shaped acrosome that caps the anterior region of the nucleus. The connecting piece, located in the flagellum implantation zone, has transverse striations, and is continuous with the axial rod. The tail is formed by a 9 + 2 axoneme, an undulating membrane, and an axial rod that is rich in basic proteins as demonstrated by E-PTA staining.

Notes: Morphology of the chromaffin cells of Triturus cristatus during a complete annual cycle has been investigated. General ultrastructural characteristics are similar for all chromaffin cells, including numerous small mitochondria, well-developed Golgi apparatus and rough endoplasmic reticulum with short cisternae. The primary difference among cells is the type of the chromaffin granules they posses. These are of two kinds: adrenalin (A) and noradrenalin granules (NA). Both types are simultaneously present in the chromaffin cells but with different ratios during the year. During December-January and May-August, NA granules largely prevail, while in September-November and February-April, A and NA granules are present in about equal quantities. The total quantity of catecholamine granules, however, is relatively constant throughout the year. These findings suggest that T. cristatus has a single type of chromaffin cell, the granule content of which varies according to different functional states. The catecholamines are apparently discharged by exocytosis.

Notes: The palatoquadrate and associated dermal bones have significant evolutionary transformations among teleostomes and provide numerous features that characterize teleostomian subgroups. The palatoquadrate forms the upper part of the mandibular arch and is present as a single cartilaginous element in the early ontogeny of teleostomes, except for some advanced teleosts such as siluroids where it is divided into pars autopalatina and pars pterygoquadrata. During ontogeny, the palatoquadrate may ossify as a unit, with a pars autopalatina (absent in Acanthodii), pars quadrata, and pars metapterygoidea in teleostomes (e.g., primitive acanthodians and actinopterygians, onychodonts, and rhipidistians). However, the palatoquadrate may remain cartilaginous (e.g., chondrosteans) or it may ossify as separate elements (e.g., autopalatine, metapterygoid, and quadrate) as occurs in advanced acanthodians, Polypterus and advanced actinopterygians, and advanced actinistians. From the single-unit pattern, separate autopalatine, metapterygoid, and quadrate evolve in parallel in the three teleostomian subgroups. Therefore, it is necessary to distinguish between actinopterygian and actinistian autopalatines and among acanthodian, actinopterygian, and actinistian metapterygoids and quadrates. A palatoquadrate fused with the neurocranium occurs in parallel in dipnoans.There are differences in the timing of ossification of the autopalatine, metapterygoid, and quadrate. The autopalatine ossifies late in ontogeny in Polypterus, Amia, and primitive teleosts (absent in lepisosteids and osteoglossmorphs), whereas both metapterygoid and quadrate ossify early in ontogeny. The early ossification of the autopalatine is characteristic of clupeocephalan teleosts. During ontogeny, tooth plates (not forming a separate dermometapterygoid) fuse with the metapterygoid in actinopterygians.Pars autopalatina, pars metapterygoidea, and pars quadrata are regions at the three corners of the single-unit palatoquadrate present in primitive teleostomes; there are no clear limits among these regions, but they may be identified by their processes, articular facets, and topographical relationships with surrounding bones and the orbit. Autopalatine, metapterygoid, and quadrate are chondral bones, perichondrally ossified. Dermal elements such as dermopalatine(s), entopterygoid, ectopterygoid, and tooth plates may cover the palatoquadrate medially. The predermopalatine that originates in front of pars autopalatina in Cladistia and the “dermopalatine” that lies medial to the ectopterygoid in Ginglymodi are specializations of these groups. A dermopalatine fused with the autopalatine is characteristic of clupeocephalan teleosts. Highly specialized tendon bone pterygoids are found in some teleosts (e.g., siluroids). The presence of both maxilla and lacrimal lateral to the pars autopalatina is synapomorphous of osteichthyans. The eye supported by the bony palatoquadrate is a teleostomian synapomorphy. Dermal elements support the eye in actinopterygians, the entopterygoid in advanced actinopterygians, but the ectopterygoid in lepisosteids.A quadratojugal is a synapomorphy of osteichthyans but exhibits a number of transformations in connection with the vertical pit-line and the preopercular canal; a quadratojugal bearing the vertical pit-line is the primitive condition for osteichthyans. Ontogenetic evidence does not support the homology of the membranous posterior process of the teleostean quadrate with the quadratojugal. The lack of a quadratojugal and the presence of the elongate posterior or posteroventral process of the quadrate is a synapomorphy of teleosts.

Notes: In addition to the cholinergic innervation described in the sphincter of the efferent filament arteries (Bailly and Dunel-Erb, ′86), an aminergic component has been demonstrated by specific techniques. The Falck fluorescence technique reveals a network of nerve fibers displaying a green fluorescence characteristic of catecholamines. At the ultrastructural level two types of fibers are present, one with clear vesicles and another with densecored vesicles. Axo-axonal synaptic relationships exist between the two types. Results of 5- and 6-OHDA (hydroxydopamine) treatments confirm the presence of an aminergic component.These observations support the notion of a dual innervation: cholinergic and adrenergic of, respectively, parasympathetic and sympathetic origin. The presence of presynaptic modulation is suggested. The aminergic component could inhibit or reduce the release of acetylcholine from cholinergic nerve endings. These results suggest that the sympathetic innervation modulates the vasoconstriction effect of the parasympathetic component.

Notes: Among the acanthopterygian fishes, the Labridae possess the most highly integrated and specialized pharyngeal jaw apparatus. The integrated feature involves many osteological components and aspects of muscle form, architecture, composition, and function. The upper jaw articulates by means of a true diarthrosis with the pharyngeal process of the parasphenoid, whereas the lower jaw has established physical contact with the cleithrum. Complex muscle fusions have contributed significantly in the development of a double muscle sling operating the lower jaw. The original levator externus 4 fuses with the central head of the obliquus posterior, whereas the original levator posterior combines with the lateral head of the obliquus posterior as well as with the adductor branchialis 5.During the masticatory cycle, both upper and lower jaws undergo complex movement orbits resulting in shearing and crushing functions. Shearing occurs as the forward moving upper jaw collides with the dorsally held lower jaw. Crushing is effected by an extreme posterodorsal movement of the lower jaw against the retracted upper jaw, thereby establishing full occlusion of the teeth.The specialized morphological and functional design of the labrid pharyngeal jaw apparatus is similar to that found in cichlids. In sharp contrast to primitive acanthopterygian fishes, the Labridae and Cichlidae exhibit a spectacular morphological diversity that parallels their ecological diversification. Our combined functional and historical analysis has established a correlation between the complex integration of the pharyngeal jaw apparatus and morphological and ecological diversity in the Labridae and Cichlidae.

Notes: Previous studies have shown the existence of a sphincter in the efferent filament artery of the teleost gill and its constrictory response to acetylcholine (ACH) and vagal stimulation. This study deals with the muscular organization of this sphincter and the distribution of its innervation as elucidated by degeneration methods and cytochemistry. The sphincter innervation is supplied by the protrematic vagus nerves. Nerve endings filled with cholinergic-type vesicles are located in close association with the adventitial smooth muscle cells and display a strong acetylcholinesterase (ACHE) activity. Section of the protrematic vagus nerve induces a nearly complete degeneration of the sphincter innervation. ACHE-positive nerve cell bodies are present both in the sphincter area and in the protrematic vagus nerve. These results suggest that innervation of the sphincter in the efferent filament artery is cholinergic through the activity of postganglionic axons of the parasympathetic system.

Notes: Dramatic depression in granule volume density and size was measured in acinar cells of postnatal rat pancreas following the initiation of feeding. Volume density decreased about threefold from 45% at birth to 16% 2 days thereafter. Mean granule diameter decreased from 1.50 μm to 0.80 μm, an 85% decrease in corresponding granule volume. At the same time, numerical density approximately doubled. At 2 days after birth, cells with smaller granules had lower volume densities, and differences in mean granule volume between cells accounted for most of the differences in volume density. Although the distribution of granule diameter in newborns was lognormal, the distribution at 2 days was heavily skewed to larger sizes. This was the result of skewed distributions within individual cells and not an artifact of sampling. The results corroborate the central role of granule volume in determining changes in the volume density of zymogen granules in the pancreas and suggest that zymogen granules can act as capacitors that can change size as a function of the enzyme contained within.

Notes: A comparative study of four genera of arvicolid rodents (Clethrionomys, Eothenomys, Alticola, and Synaptomys) presents the first complete description of limb myology for any member of this recently evolved, highly successful family. The study also identifies four forelimb and four hind-limb muscles that exhibit characters of value to systematic analyses within the group. In no instance was postcranial myology sufficient to distinguish among species of Clethrionomys or to distinguish Clethrionomys from Eothenomys. Moreover, in some instances Synaptomys, a genus traditionally presumed primitive within the family, possessed the apomorphic condition for a myological character when compared to the four genera of cricetine rodents that served for outgroup comparisons.

Notes: Egg capsules of Syndisyrinx franciscanus, an intestinal parasite of sea urchins (Strongylocentrotus spp.), consist of a bulb, which contains the embryos, and a stalk-like filament. The wall of the bulb is about 12 μm thick and is composed of sclerotized proteins. The end of the bulb opposite the attachment of the filament bears a reticulum of hatching sutures. Transmission electron microscopy discloses that hatching sutures traverse the entire thickness of the capsule wall. The inner 9-10 μm of sutures are a uniform 20 nm in width and contain a trilaminar cementum. The outer 2-3 μm of sutures are 15 nm to more than 500 nm in width and contain an electron-lucent cementum. The latter may contain an irregular, median, electron-dense layer or, more commonly, electron-dense granules. The outside of some capsules is partially covered by a thin, electron-dense material.A previous study showed that sutures in intact capsules of Syndisyrinx franciscanus are not affected by host digestive fluids, but are severely weakened immediately prior to hatching owing to activities of the embryos. The hypothesis that the embryos secrete a hatching enzyme is supported by findings that sutures of intact capsules are not affected by externally applied trypsin, but become weakened when capsules are cut open and then incubated in trypsin. Scanning electron microscopy reveals that the outer parts of sutures often remain intact after hatching. We hypothesize that the ability of sutures to resist enzymatic attack from the outside, but not the inside, results from differences in the chemical properties of the cementums in outer and inner parts of sutures.

Notes: The iris of the toad Bufo marinus is directly photosensitive and will constrict in response to light striking only the iris. This is true even when the iris is isolated from the rest of the eye, and therefore from reflex neuronal influences initiated in the retina. This autonomous response is probably mediated by the sphincter pupillae muscle, since no specialized photoreceptors are present in the iris, nor does the sphincter exhibit any specializations likely to subserve a purely photoreceptive function. The photosensitive sphincter appears typical of smooth muscle and, like mammalian sphincters, possesses many intercellular junctions. The iris possesses a well-developed neuronal plexus with fibers projecting into the sphincter muscle layer. Nerve terminals contain small, agranular (30-70nm) and large, dense-cored (80-120nm) vesicles. No consistent postsynaptic specializations are seen on any cells of the iris, including the cells of the sphincter muscle. The anterior pigment epithelial cells of the iris appear specialized and resemble the myoepithelial dilator muscle described by Kelly and Arnold ('72) for the iris of rats.

Notes: The cell-lineage of Bithynia tentaculata L. has been studied through the formation of the fourth quartet of micromeres, i.e., the 81-cell stage. Up to the 28-cell stage, the cleavage pattern is radially symmetrical, and the divisions take place synchronously in the quadrants. Bilateral symmetry is established by the formation of the mesentoblast 4d at the future dorsal side. A resting stage preceding the formation of 4d is lacking. The mesentoblast 4d is formed earlier than the other fourth quartet cells, and it divides twice before 4a-4c are formed. Bilateral symmetry in the molluscan cross becomes apparent by different divisions of the tipcell and the basal cell in the dorsal arm. Dorsoventrality is progressively corroborated by the divisions in the second and third quartets of micromeres, which take a different course in the A and B quadrants on the one side and in the C and D quadrants on the other side.

Notes: Two modes of shedding of rod disc membranes were observed by electron microscopy in bullfrog retinas illuminated for various periods from 10 min to 2 hr. One mode is “autonomous shedding” whereby rods shed disc packets directly into the subretinal space. Most of the discarded disc packets are subsequently brought into contact with villous apical processes of pigment epithelial (PE) cells and are ultimately engulfed by these cells. When some of the shed disc membranes remain in the subretinal space, it appears that these remanants may be phagocytized by ameboid phagocytes. The other mode is “cooperative shedding” whereby rods shed disc packets with the participation of pigment epithelial ensheathment. Shedding of a disc packet from a rod tip, and enclosing of the rod tip by a broad, sleeve-like apical process of a PE cell, take place simultaneously. The separated disc packets may be immediately engulfed by the PE cells without risk of failure. Both villous and sleeve-like types of apical processes of PE cells in the bullfrog lack pigment granules, in contrast to the finger-like apical processes that do contain pigment granules. Villous and sleeve-like apical processes that do contain pigment granules. Villous and sleeve-like processes therefore probably belong to the same category as the leaf-like apical processes of PE cells in mammalian retinas.

Notes: High-speed cinematography shows that Suncus murinus (Crocidurinae) masticates fast (mean 5.5, 5-10 masticatory cycles per sec). Their grasping behavior is not stereotyped. The unilateral mandibular movements combine vertical, anteroposterior, and lateral displacements; and any masticatory sequence may include crushing, repositioning, shearing, and grinding components. Size and consistency of food influence the duration of individual chewing cycles. As food is transferred to the new working side, the chewing direction reverses, either near maximum closure or near maximum opening. An unfused mandibular symphysis permits tilting movements of the two halves of the mandible. Food may be squeezed between the lower incisors. The working side tilts outward during closing; this may improve shearing or grinding action. The closing phase is posteriorly directed. Thus, the masticatory movements of these shrews differ from those that have been described in many other mammals.

Notes: The presence of adrenergic innervation was investigated in four different vascular segments of the neotenic tiger salamander, Ambystoma tigrinum, by histofluorescent staining for catecholamines. The segments were the respiratory section of the gill, the branchial shunt vessels, a vascular plexus in the pulmonary artery, and the dorsal aorta. No adrenergic fibers were detected in the respiratory section of the gill or the pulmonary arterial plexus. In contrast, the branchial shunt vessels contained both adrenergic varicosities and catecholamine-containing cell bodies. These cells resemble Type I cells of the mammalian carotid body and amphibian carotid labyrinth. Adrenergic innervation of the dorsal aorta was sparse and restricted to the adventitia. The results suggest that adrenergic nerves may directly regulate blood flow in the gill, and thus gas exchange, by controlling vascular resistance of the branchial shunts. The contractile state of the dorsal aorta may also be under adrenergic control. In addition, it is suggested that the adrenergic cells of the branchial shunts may serve a receptor function in being sensitive to arterial blood gases.

Notes: Scanning and light microscopy investigations of the anterior alimentary canal of the pear psylla, Psylla pyricola Foerster (Homoptera: Psyllidae), revealed the morphology of the labium and stylets, as well as the presence of sensory structures and a valve in the precibarium. The labium consists of three telescoping segments with an internal labial groove, which surrounds and supports the stylet bundle. Also a part of the labial groove is the internal labial clamp. The stylet bundle is comprised of paired styliform mandibles and maxillae, which interlock to form the food and salivary canals. The stylet bundle proximal to the labium forms a large loop within a membranous crumena. When fully retracted the coiled stylets are under tension. Stylet extension generates increasing tension so that when retracted the stylets readily recoil within the crumena. Penetration of leaf tissues by the stylet bundle is dependent on the interaction between stylet muscles, opening and closing of the labial clamp, the barbed stylet tips, and the ventral position of the labium.Proximal to the crumena the paired stylets separate and diverge at the entrance of the precibarium, which is formed by the interlocking of the epi-and hypopharynges. There are 18 sensory structures in the precibarium, as well as a precibarial valve. These structures appear to be homologous to similar structures observed previously in aphids and leafhoppers. The morphology and the location of the precibarial sensilla suggest that, like the precibarial sensory organs of aphids and leafhoppers, they are gustatory and probably mediate acceptance or rejection of plant fluids, thus playing a major role in locating tissues for feeding.

Notes: In seven species of lungless salamanders, family Plethodontidae, ranging from medium to very small in body size and from small to very large in cell size, the morphology of the eye and the retina were investigated. Haller's rule was only partially corroborated. While the smallest species had the relatively largest eyes, the largest two species, having the largest cells, showed the third and fourth largest eyes of the series. An effect of cell size was also found with regard to eye morphology. Small species with small cells as well as large species with large cells had relatively small retinae and relatively large lenses. In contrast, small eyes with relatively large cells had absolutely and relatively large retinae and relatively small lenses.The retinae of all investigated plethodontids showed a morphology typical for land vertebrates with two fiber and three nuclear layers. Rods, cones and double cones could clearly be distinguished. A fovea or area centralis was not found. Retina ganglion cell and photoreceptor counts show that the number of these elements was lower than in salamandrids. However, determination of the resolution power of miniaturized eyes based on morphological and behavioral data shows that this does not seem to constitute a functional disadvantage. The morphological and functional properties and constraints of eyes of miniaturized salamanders are discussed.

Notes: Cells considered to be migratory in the cerebral cortex of adult lizards are ultrastructurally of two types. Nuclei in the first type have highly dispersed chromatin, creating a spongy appearance, whereas in the second type the chromatin is irregularly clumped. Both types of cells are closely associated with processes of radial ependymal glia cells, which perhaps orient their migratory pathways. Cells with spongy chromatin show an increase in cytoplasmic organelles and progressive chromatin condensation as they travel from the ependymal layer to the granular layer. Possibly these cells account for the neuronal increase that takes place in the granular layer during postnatal life. Cells with chromatin clumps are very scarce; ultrastructurally they resemble immature reptilian astroglia cells.

Notes: The medulla of renculi from kidneys of Ringed seals (Phoca hispida) is completely enclosed by cortex except at the hilum. Within the renculus, the fibromuscular coat of the calyx separates from the transitional epithelium at the level of the corticomedullary junction, where the intrarencular arteries also diverge into the parenchyma. Flat ribbons of this stromal tissue form an arborized framework near the medullary side of the intrarencular arteries and the larger of the arcuate arteries derived from them. The ribbons, which are clearly distinct from periarterial connective tissue, are composed of coarse collagenous fibers, elastic fibers, and smooth muscle cells, all oriented in the direction of the long axes of the ribbons, and myofibroblasts. The proportion of smooth muscle cells decreases and that of myofibroblasts increases with increasing distance from the calyx. At the base of the medullary pyramid, the elements of the framework diminish in width and ultimately blend with the surrounding interstitial tissue. The stromal framework, or basket, is homologous with the Sporta perimedullaris musculosa of cetacean kidneys.

Notes: A morphological comparison was made of the green livers of male and female lampreys (Petromyzon marinus L.) collected during the upstream (prespawning) migration. Light and electron microscope histochemistry for iron, and both thin sections and freeze-fracture replicas in the electron microscope, revealed some sexual dimorphism in these livers. Ferric iron is much more abundant in the liver of females and is present in the cytoplasmic matrix, in dense bodies, and in vacuoles of hepatocytes. The numerous vacuoles of females may be the deposition site of biliverdin and other bile components that would account for the darker green coloration of the liver compared to males. Hepatocytes in females are also characterized by prominent rough endoplasmic reticulum and Golgi apparatus that reflect the involvement of the cells in vitellogenesis. The presence of numerous lipid droplets in the hepatocytes of males indicates that the liver is an important storage site for fat. The lipid droplets are associated with electron-dense deposits of unknown nature. Large gap junctions typify the parenchymal cells of both male and female livers. Perisinusoidal and sinusoidal cells are similar to those in the nonparenchymal region in other vertebrate livers, namely, endothelial and Kupffer cells, lipocytes (Ito), and some granulated cells. The relationship of lipocytes to fibrous tissue and fibrogenesis is discussed.

Notes: The fine structure of the hemocytes and nephrocytes in Argas (Persicargas) arboreus is described and compared with that of similar cells in other tick species and insects. The hemocytes are of three types: prohemocytes, with a relatively undifferentiated cytoplasm lacking granular inclusions and probably serving as progenitors of the other hemolymph cell types; plasmatocytes, containing abundant mitochondria, cisternae of rough endoplasmic reticulum (RER), and free ribosomes, as well as some small granular inclusions; granulocytes, the predominant cell type in the hemolymph, containing numerous granules of variable electron density and maturity, and pseudopodia-like processes on the cell surface. Plasmatocytes and granulocytes are phagocytic and possibly also have other functions in the tick body. Cells with intermediate features appear to be in a stage of transition from plasmatocyte to granulocyte.Nephrocytes contain vacuoles enclosing fibrillar material, some electrondense granules, and moderate amounts of the active organelles - mitochondria, RER, and ribosomes. The nephrocyte is surrounded by a basal lamina and its plasma membrane infolds to form many deep invaginations coated by a fine fibrillar material. Openings to these invaginations are closed by membranous diaphragms. Coated tubular elements connect the surface invaginations with large coated vesicles, which appear to be specialized for internalization of proteins from the hemolymph. The dense granules may represent an advanced stage of condensation of ingested protein and thus may be lysosomal residual bodies, or they may develop by accumulation of secretory products.

Notes: In this study we examined the possible inductive role of the dental papilla from polyphyodont lizard tooth germs. Flank skin sheets of quail ectoderm enzymatically separated from dermal tissue were recombined with lizard tooth papillae and placed on semisolid medium and cultured for 2 days. Subsequently, the recombinants were removed and placed on the chorioallantoic membrane of chick hosts and incubated for 6 days. After this period of 8 days in explant, control tissues differentiated according to their own phenotypes. Lizard dental papilla alone differentiated as fibroblasts. Quail flank skin ectoderm differentiated into epithelial sheets. Intact lizard tooth buds developed into teeth with dentine and incipient enamel. In the best experimental recombinants, advanced and relatively well-constructed teeth were observed, with clear indications of hard tissue deposition in association with quail epithelium. The results show that mesenchyme of the adult lizard dental papilla and embryonic quail ectoderm of heterotopic origin are capable of carrying out the complex sequence of morphogenetic interactions involved in normal odontogenesis.

Notes: Sperm development in Ornithodoros (Pavlovskyella) erraticus includes the formation of subsurface cisternae in the primary spermatocytes, which divide meiotically to secondary spermatocytes and ultimately to spermatids. During spermiogenesis the spermatid undergo morphological transformation including polarization of the nucleus and subsurface cisternae, formation of a cisternal tube, and modification of the subsurface cisternae to cellular processes surrounded by cisternal vesicles. Further transformation occurs after spermatids are introduced into the female. The spermatid cisternal tube now invaginates to form an inner cord surrounded by an outer sheath. The invaginated inner cord elongates anteriorly as the outer sheath continues to invaginate posteriorly during spermiogenesis. With further elongation, the spermatid membrane ruptures anteriorly, leaving the inner cord exposed as the outer surface of the maturing sperm. Posteriorly, the original plasma membrane invaginates to form an acrosomal canal which becomes surrounded by an acrosome. The hemispherical anterior end of the mature sperm is covered with rows of projections separated from the remainder of the sperm by a row of fringed processes. Except for the posterior end, the rest of the sperm is covered by longitudinally distributed electron-dense cellular processes and an outer mat of more electron-lucent tubular elements. Mitochondria and bundles of microfibrils are found beneath the cellular processes. Microfibrils are suggested to be the principal contractile organelles responsible for sperm motility. Cellular processes appear to be the main external motile structures, while movements of tubular elements and fringed processes may also contribute to sperm motility.

Notes: Marlins, sailfish, and spearfishes have a heat-producing tissue beneath the brain and adjacent to the eyes. This tissue warms the brain and eyes while the rest of the body remains at water temperature. The heater tissue is derived from the superior rectus eye muscle. Only a portion of this eye muscle contains normal skeletal muscle tissue; the rest consists of the modified muscle tissue that is associated with heat production. The heat-producing portion is supplied with blood through a countercurrent heat exchanger that originates from the carotid artery. The vascular rete prevents the heat being produced by the tissue from being dissipated at the gill. An unusual circulatory supply to the eyes and brain is associated with the presence of the heater tissue in these fishes.

Notes: The transport of sperm in the cloaca and adjacent regions of the female red-spotted newt was examined. It was found that within 1 min after sperm were introduced into the vent, they progressed in a random pattern past the apertures of the spermatheca (the gladular, sperm storage organ that opens from the anterior roof of the cloaca) forward to the anterior end of the cloaca and on into the posterior regions of the hindgut and bladder. Sperm did not enter the dorsal recess of the cloaca into which the oviducts and ureters open. After 1 day, few sperm remained within the cloaca lumen. Sperm were not transported into the cloacae of artifically inseminated, anesthetized females without prior administration of norepinephrine to their cloacal mounds. Treatment of the cloacal mounds of naturally inseminated females with an antagonist of neuromuscular transmission (lidocaine) decreased the numbers of sperm in the anterior cloaca relative to those of saline-injected control specimens. Neither dead newt sperm nor live rabbit sperm entered the spermatheca. Rabbit sperm, however, entered the oviduct. It is argued that passive and active mechanisms of sperm transport work in concert. Contractions of smooth muscle, which may be initiated during courtship, probably serve to draw sperm passively into the cloaca and up to and beyond the apertures of spermathecal tubules, but sperm, once in the vicinity of those apertures, probably swim actively into them.