ALBERT

Notizen: During postnatal development of the pigeon, a large portion of the skeleton becomes pneumatized, displacing the hemopoietic bone marrow. The consequences of pneumatization on distribution and quantity of bone marrow as well as the availability of other sites for hemopoiesis have been investigated. Hemopoietic marrow of differently aged pigeons divided into five groups from 1 week posthatching (p.h.) up to 6 months p.h. was labeled with Fe-59 and examined by serial whole-body sections. Autoradiography and morphometry as well as scintillation counts of single bones and organs were also carried out. No sign of a reactivation of embryonic sites of erythropoiesis was found. Bone marrow weight and its proportion of whole-body weight increased during the first 4 weeks p.h. from 0.54% to 2.44% and decreased in the following months to about 1.0%. The developing bone marrow showed a progressive distribution during the first months of life, eventually being distributed proportionally over the entire skeleton, except for the skull. At the age of 6 months p.h. bone marrow had been displaced, its volume decreasing in correlation to increasing pneumaticity and conversion to fatty marrow. This generates the characteristic pattern of bone marrow distribution in adult pigeons, which shows hemopoietic bone marrow in ulna, radius, femur, tibiotarsus, scapula, furcula, and the caudal vertebrae.

Notizen: Artificially incubated fertile eggs from wild alligators have a significantly better hatch rate than those of captive, pen-reared alligators, possibly due to differences in the morphology of the eggshells. We compared the morphology of eggshells of wild alligators to those of captive alligators living in semi-natural environmental pens. Lengths and widths of eggs were measured and volume was determined, assuming an ellipsoid shape. Eggs were also evaluated for the quality of the eggshell (the presence or absence of rough deposits). Pieces of shell were cut from unincubated eggs and from eggs incubated for 55 days (just before hatching) and examined by scanning electron microscopy. Open pores on the outer surface of the shells were counted and thickness of the pieces was measured from micrographs. Results indicated that the number of pores on eggshells was lowest in eggs of captive alligators with early embryonic death. The number of pores was intermediate in eggs with early embryonic death from wild alligators, and the number of pores was highest in eggs with full-term embryos from wild or captive alligators. It is suggested that decreased porosity of eggshells may be associated with early embryonic death, is more prevalent in captive animals, and may, therefore, be related to poor hatch rate among penreared alligators.

Notizen: Adult hornets (Vespa orientalis; Hymenoptera, Vespinae) build the brood combs out of organic or mineral matter. The cement that serves to glue the building material together is secreted in their saliva, the latter hardening within seconds to form fibers or plates. This saliva-derived spittle overlies and unites the building particles laminally and vertically. The hornet larvae spin a cocoon within the brood cells, which is largely fastened to and supported by the cell walls and is composed of a network of silk fibers and interlinking flat surfaces. On the outside of the cocoon fibers are spherical button-like structures that are very rich in phosphorus. The chemical composition of the adult salivary cement and the larval cocoon fibers is similar: both contain the elements P, Mg, S, Cl, K, and Ca. The possible biological significance of these findings is discussed.Among social insects belonging to the Hymenoptera, there are three main groups that build a multitude of cells, namely, the paper wasps (Polistinae), the other social wasps or hornets (Vespinae), and the social bees (Apinae). The constructed cells serve mainly for rearing the brood, but in many instances (particularly among various Apinae) they also serve for storing honey and pollen. For building material, Apinae rely primarily on beeswax (a product secreted by the bee itself to which various amounts of plant resins are added). On the other hand, wasps (Polistinae and Vespinae) build mainly from matter collected in the nearby environment, be it organic matter such as tree bark, mineral matter, or a combination of the two.Much information has accumulated on comb and cell building among these insect groups (e.g., Wheeler, '23; Van der Vecht, '57, '65; Lindauer, '61; Michener, '61; Kemper and Döhring, '67; Wilson, '71; Guiglia, '72; Spradbery, '73; Edwards, '80; Brian, '83; Schremmer et al., '85). Species of Polistinae and Vespinae are prevalent in forest areas in Southeast Asia and in central and South America or in the temperate regions in both the northern and southern hemispheres, and they mainly use vegetable matter to build their combs. In contrast, species prevalent in the Mediterranean region, which is dry and relatively unvegetated during the wasp and hornet active season, rely more on nearby mineral than on plant matter. Comb building in the Oriental hornet is well known (Darchen, '64; Ishay et al., '67; Schaudinischky and Ishay, '68; Ishay, '73, '75a, b, '76; Ishay and Sadeh, '75, '76; Ishay and Perna, '79; Ishay et al., '82). Recently Ganor et al. ('86) described the cell wall in the V. orientalis comb, showing it to be composed of mineral particles collected near the subterranean nest, in contrast to the comb of two European species (V. crabro and Vespula) (Paravespula) germanica, which is built primarily of organic matter. Regardless of whether the building material is mineral or organic, the hornets utilize particles of sand or other minerals or pieces of wood wrapped and melded together by saliva. However, nothing is known about the cement or mortar used to glue together these “bricks.” The present investigation was initiated to increase our knowledge of this cementing substance.Combs of V. orientalis were collected from fields in the Tel-Aviv district in 1987 during the active season, which extends over most of the summer months. Because the combs are easily damaged, care was taken to remove them intact from the natural nest. Once removed, the combs were cleared of the existing brood (eggs, larvae, or pupae) and then stored carefully in dry glass vessels until examined. For the present study, combs were collected only from nests in Khamra soil, which is common in the Tel-Aviv district and along the coastal area of Israel. To investigate the morphology of the cement material in the comb, strips of comb wall as well as segments of the pupal silk dome were removed from each comb and prepared for examination. The comb wall strips were cut to a size of 3 × 6 mm and fastened to the stub of a scanning electron microscope (SEM). The silk pieces were processed in two ways: (1)strips of 3 × 4 mm were fastened onto a stub with the convex (outer surface) facing up or (2) with the concave (interior) side upward.Silk strips were boiled for 2 hours in distilled water to remove all impurities, such as foreign matter adhering to the silk secreted by the larvae. Examination of these silk fibres was carried out in the three ways: (1)SEM micrography of the exterior (white portion) of the silk dome; (2) micrography of the interior; (3) micrography of both exterior and interior aspects after boiling for 2 hours in distilled water to remove water-suspended foreign materials that may have clung to the silk dome in the course of ordinary nest activity.The chemical composition of selected specimens was investigated by x-ray analysis. They were done on JEOL 840 Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM) equipped with Link 10,000 Energy-Dispersive System (EDS). (With the EDS System, the spectrometer separates the elements according to energy rather than wavelength). Quantitative analysis was by ZAF4 program. Five strips of comb cell wall were examined from a randomly selected comb, each comb from a different nest. Micrographs were taken of isolated silk samples from each of the examined combs.

Notizen: Dissections were performed to document buccal anatomy in three species of the pulmonate genus Helisoma Swainson, 1840. The 28 muscles which are responsible for radular feeding in these animals are organized in three concentric and integrated envelopes. The deepest of these includes muscles which manipulate the radula about the odontophoral cartilage. Elements of the middle envelope direct movements of the cartilage within the buccal cavity, and muscles of the outer envelope control movements of the buccal mass within the cephalic haemocoel. Motion analysis by videomicrography showed that muscles of the middle and outer envelopes contribute to the action of radular feeding by acting as antagonists to other muscles and to hydrostatic elements of the buccal apparatus. Observations of radular dentition showed that although each of the three species examined has a unique radula, especially with regard to the specific details of tooth shape, all resemble a radula characteristic of the Planorbidae with regard to other, more general, aspects of ribbon architecture.

Notizen: Crocodilians and birds are the extant representatives of a monophyletic taxon known as archosaurs. Their limbs are highly derived in terms of reduction in number of skeletal elements in both the carpus and the tarsus. It is necessary to have a detailed description of crocodilian limb ontogeny to address the evolutionary issue dealing with the origin and organization of the avian limb. In this paper, we present an analysis of the early development of the crocodilian limb skeleton. Contrasting with earlier observations, we redefine the number and composition of carpal, tarsal, and phalangeal elements. This ontogenetic information is then used to introduce a revision of the homologies of the skeletal elements in the crocodilian limb. Some invariances are pointed out in the developmental organization of tetrapod limbs and this evidence serves to readdress several issues concerning the evolution of the avian limb. We present further embryological data in support of the hypothesis that digits 2-3-4 are the components of the wing skeleton in birds. In general, our comparative survey indicates that the elements that appear late in ontogeny are the ones lost in phylogeny. By comparing turtle (primitive) limb development with crocodilian and bird development, we propose a hypothesis in which the derived skeletal patterns found in crocodilians and birds have originated by a heterochronic process of paedomorphosis.

Notizen: A unique pathway that utilizes endoplasmic reticulum (ER) networks is proposed for screening pigment granule formation in the retina of adult Eumesosoma roeweri. Smooth endoplasmic reticulum (SER) functions to transport pigment particles to the formative site. Each site is composed of concentric, interconnected rings of SER that are filled with dense-cored, spherical pigment particles. Formation of the screening pigment granule begins by the release of particles from the innermost rings of carrier SER. Continued release followed by fusion and condensation of the pigment particles results in the formation of a mature pigment granule.

Notizen: Light and scanning electron microscopy of vascular replicas from the facultative air-breathing fish Heteropneustes fossilis show modifications in the macrocirculation of the respiratory organs and systemic circulation, whereas, gill microcirculation is similar to that found in typical water-breathing fish. Three and sometimes four ventral aortae arise directly from the bulbus. The most ventral vessel supplies the first pair of arches. Dorsal to this another aorta supplies the second gill arches, and a third, dorsal to, and larger than the other two, supplies the third and fourth arches and the air sacs. Occasionally a small vessel that may be the remnant of a primitive aortic arch arises from the first ventral aorta and proceeds directly to the mandibular region without perfusing gill tissue. The air sac is perfused by a large-diameter extension of the afferent branchial artery of the fourth gill arch and its circulation is in parallel with the gill arches. Blood drains from the air sac into the fourth arch epibranchial artery. A number of arteries also provide direct communication between the efferent air sac artery and the dorsal aorta. All four gill arches are well developed and contain respiratory (lamellar) and nonrespiratory (interlamellar and nutrient) networks common to gills of water-breathing fish. Air sac lamellae are reduced in size. The outer 30% of the air sac lamellar sinusoids are organized into thoroughfare channels; the remaining vasculature, normally embedded in the air sac parenchyma, is discontinuous. A gill-type interlamellar vasculature is lacking in the air sac circulation. Despite the elaborate development of the ventral aortae, there is little other anatomical evidence to suggest that gill and air sac outflow are separated and that dorsal aortic oxygen tensions are maintained when the gills are in a hypoxic environment. Physiological adjustments to hypoxic water conditions probably include temporal regulation of gill and air sac perfusion to be effective, if indeed they are so.

Notizen: The antennae of adult Damalinia ovis, the sheep louse, were studied using light and scanning electron microscopy. Sensory structures are located on all three antennal segments with the predominant sensilla type being tactile. Nine different types of sensilla are described on the basis of external appearance. One of the sensilla, designated a “pit organ” because of its unusual shape, has not been described previously. A pair of these sensilla are present on each antenna, and their function is unknown. A group of 11 sensilla on the tip of each antenna contains olfactory and chemosensory pegs, and a possible thermohygroreceptor. The antennae are sexually dimorphic, the male having more tactile sensilla, two well-developed terminal hooks, and a different cuticular architecture on the posterior surface of antennal segment 1.

Notizen: The formation of the unpaired structure ventral to the basibranchial region, the so-called urohyal, differs within osteichthyans. A cartilaginous preformed, unpaired “urohyal” is present in sarcopterygians. A three-tendon ossification is present in Polypterus. An “urohyal” or urohyal is absent in both Amia and Lepisosteus. The urohyal formed as an unpaired ossification of the tendon of the sternohyoideus muscle is a feature of teleosts. A new structure, the parurohyal, arises as a double ossification of the tendon of the sternohyoideus muscle in siluroids; during ontogeny an anterodorsal crest or cup-like structure derives from the anterior basibranchial region and the tendon bone; therefore, the parurohyal is compound in origin. Judging from their formation and their distribution within osteichthyans the cartilaginous preformed “urohyal” and the teleostean urohyal are nonhomologous, whereas the urohyal and parurohyal are homologous. The urohyal is connected by ligaments with the ventral hypohyals in most teleosts, whereas it articulates with the ventral hypohyals in teleosts such as Anguilla and Chanos. The parurohyal is a synapomorphy of siluroids. The parurohyal in siluroids is articulated with both ventral and dorsal hypohyals, and with the basibranchial region in catfishes such as diplomystids and ictalurids, whereas it articulates only with the ventral hypohyals in other catfishes such as trichomycterines. The passage of the hypobranchial artery through the hypobranchial foramen of the parurohyal is a unique feature of siluroids, like the absence of the basihyal bone.An ossified dorsal hypohyal appears late in ontogeny in Amia, as do tooth plates related to the medial side of the hyoid arch and branchiostegal rays in Amia, and tooth plates on the hyoid arch and branchiostegal rays in Elops (unique features within extant teleosts). Two ossified hypohyals, a synapomorphy of teleosts, are present early in ontogeny.There is intraspecific variation in the onset of ossification of the bones of the head, but the sequence of ossification between bones in a defined structural system is conserved (e.g., branchiostegal rays ossify first, then bones of the hyoid arch).

Notizen: The vas deferens of Ambystoma macrodactylum is composed of a peritoneal epithelium, connective tissue layer with fibroblasts, circular smooth muscle, capillaries, cells containing lipid, and a luminal epithelium composed of a single layer of cuboidal cells covered by a net of interconnected ciliated squamous cells. The cuboidal cells have abundant rough endoplasmic reticulum, mitochondria, and PAS + secretory vesicles. Squamous cells of breeding males consistently have tufts of ∼100 cilia located at one end of the long axis of each cell. These cilia may help distribute secretory products. The squamous cells, absent in post-breeding males, are apparently sloughed into the lumen. Lipid vesicles are present throughout the cytoplasm of the cuboidal and squamous epithelial cells and are also in some cells of the connective tissue layer. These vesicles increase dramatically in number during the first 4 weeks after breeding and may serve as an energy pool for the next breeding season. Enzyme-histochemical tests for testosterone synthesis were negative. In addition to the accumulation of lipid and the loss of squamous cells in the vas deferens, after breeding PAS + vesicle production is terminated. These alterations appear to represent energy conservation strategies employed by the sperm-depleted vas deferens.

Notizen: The concept of parallel muscle combinations, in which spindle density is significantly higher in small muscles compared to their larger counterparts in large-small muscle combinations acting across a joint, is supported by the results of this study regardless of the joint. Analysis of the canine data as well as previously published guinea pig forelimb and human pelvic limb data revealed no significant difference in spindle density between antigravity and non-antigravity muscles. Furthermore, a gradual increase in spindle density from proximal to distal on the limb was not found, although spindle density was significantly higher in the intrinsic manus or pes muscles compared to more proximal limb muscles in all three species. The significant differences in spindle densities in parallel muscle combinations and in manus/pes versus proximal muscles are discussed relative to their possible role in the control of locomotion.

Notizen: The choanocyte chambers of eight different haplosclerid sponge species have been investigated with regard to their histological structure, their relation to the mesohyl, and their arrangement between the canal systems. Two fundamentally different organizational types occur in the investigated sponge species. In Haliclona rosea, H. oculata, H. elegans, H. simulans, H. rava, H. fistulosa, and Acervochalina limbata the choanocytes are separated from the mesohylar tissue, being more or less covered over the outer surface by pinacocytes belonging to the incurrent canal walls. In Haliclona indistincta, on the other hand, the choanocytes are, as in most other Demospongiae, in contact with the mesohyl at their outer surfaces. This indicates that the present order Haplosclerida is polyphyletic and contains sponges of a presumably poecilosclerid origin.

Notizen: The three-dimensional structures of the carotid labyrinth in five species of anurans representing four families (Rana nigromaculata, Rana catesbeiana, Bufo japonicus, Hyla arborea, and Xenopus laevis), and three species of caudates representing three families (Cynops pyrrhogaster, Hynobius nebulosus, Ambystoma mexicanum) were compared using vascular corrosion castings and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Anuran carotid labyrinths are spherical in shape and are classified into two groups according to the origin of the external and internal carotid arteries. One group, which included Rana, Hyla, and Bufo, is characterized by the presence of a vascular ring at the proximal end and some vascular routes at the distal end of the labyrinth. The external and internal carotid arteries originate from these structures. The other group, which includes only Xenopus, is characterized by the external carotid artery opening directly from the central chamber or the common carotid artery, and by the internal carotid artery originating from within the vascular maze. The vascular maze is most complex in Xenopus, less so in Rana and Bufo, and simplest in Hyla. The carotid labyrinths in Cynops and Hynobius are oblong in shape. The fundamental organization in salamanders is similar to that in anurans. The vascular maze, however, is much simpler than in Hyla. There is no specialized swelling in Ambystoma mexicanum. The present findings suggest that most amphibian carotid labyrinths have the appropriate architecture for controlling vascular tone.

Notizen: The vomeronasal sensory epithelium of a crotaline snake, Trimeresurus flavoviridis, was shown to consist of a superficial supporting cell layer and an underlying sensory cell layer composed of columns of sensory cells. The supporting cell layer consists of both supporting cells and dendrites of the underlying sensory neurons. The apical regions of sensory cell dendrites contain numerous microtubules, many elongated mitochondria, centrioles, and electron-dense bodies. The dendrites terminate as dendritic knobs from which microvilli project into the vomeronasal lumen. Smooth vesicles are abundant in the dendritic terminals and their vicinity. Supporting cells also bear microvilli, and these cells contain large electron-opaque granules and dense vesicles near their free surfaces. Cytoplasmic extensions of the supporting cells form a meshwork which separates dendrxites from each other in the vicinity of the luminal surface. The meshwork becomes obliterated in the infranuclear region of each supporting cell. Bipolar-shaped sensory cells with lightly stained round nuclei contain the characteristic cell organelles of neurons and are thought to be sensory neurons. These cells are especially characterized by well-developed lamellae of rough endoplasmic reticulum and extensive arrays of smooth endoplasmic reticulum. The perikarya of cells located in the apical region of the cell columns tend to contain larger amounts of smooth endoplasmic reticulum and lipofuscin granules than the perikarya of cells located in lower regions. Undifferentiated cells are found in the basal region of the columns. Satellite cells form the framework of the columns and are also found among neuronal elements.

Notizen: The protandric hermaphrodite Ophryotrocha puerilis possesses one pair of eyes. They are located in the peristomium. Each light-sensitive organ consists of one sensory cell and one to two supporting cell(s) embedded in a cup-shaped reflector. The sensory-supporting cell complex is enveloped by a basal lamina. This lamina is supposed to be identical with the neural lamella. Thus the eyes proper have to be regarded as protrusions from the brain, while epidermal cells seem to differentiate to crystalline cells (reflector) and are deposited onto the sensory complex.The reflector is built up by several cup-shaped cells (juveniles, 4-5; adults, 10-12). Each of these cells comprises a multilayer of parallel-oriented, membrane-bound crystalline platelets which are thought to be guanine. The sensory cell is of the inverted rhabdomere type. Submicrovillar cisternae, typical for most polychaete eyes, are lacking. The first and always present supporting cell entirely envelops the sensory cell, thus forming the extracellular space around the rhabdomere. It does not contain any pigment granules. Often but not always a second supporting cell has been observed surrounding the sensory cell and first supporting cell. It is interpreted as a glial cell.In the sensory cell beneath the rhabdomere, pino- and phagocytosis can be observed and secondary lysosomes are found in high densities. Preliminary results seem to demonstrate that there is no distinct diurnal cycle of receptoral membrane recycling. In comparison with the ocelli of Dinophilidae, which have been interpreted as a dorvilleid-related family, morphological differences and their application to phylogenetic considerations are discussed.

Notizen: The appearance pattern of pharyngeal tooth germs was investigated in the larval Japanese dace, Tribolodon hakonensis, which has a bilaterally asymmetrical dentition. Teeth develop in a series of replacement waves beginning with the initial central tooth (Ce) and continuing with teeth of anterior (An) and posterior (Po) positions relative to the initial one. Identified by wave number (n) and tooth position (r), according to the formula n-1[r], tooth germs appeared in the order of tooth 0[Ce0], 1[Po1], 1[Anl], 2[Ce0], 2[An2], 3[Po1], 3[An1], 4[Ce0], 4[An2], 5[Po1], 5[An1], 5[An3], 6[Ce0], 6[An2] during the larval period. Dentition on the right side, however, lacks the first tooth at position An2 (tooth 2[An2]) and teeth at position An3. Tooth germs on the first, second, and third replacement waves appeared simultaneously on the arches of both sides. During following waves, tooth germs on the left side appeared later than those on the right. Delay of tooth germ appearance On the left side is interpreted as an inhibitory influence of existing tooth germs in accordance with Osborn's (Proc. R. Soc. Lond. Ser. B 179:261--289, '71) theory. The delay of tooth germ appearance on the left arch is most pronounced on the seventh replacement wave. Teeth of the right major row in adults of this species are replaced more frequently than those of the left major row, apparently in correlation with the absence of the first larval tooth at position An2 and teeth at position An3. It is hypothesized that cyprinids evolved the minor rows and specialized teeth of their adult dentition as apomorphic characteristics by the process of neoteny.

Notizen: Development of the internal structures of the caudal region (muscles, bones, cartilages, nerves, and blood vessels) of the Da/Da mutant medaka and of wild-type +/+ fish was compared. Muscles and nerves were immunochemically stained by using an antibody to troponin T and antibodies to neurofilament proteins, respectively. Bones and cartilages were stained with alizarin red and alcian blue. In stages 31-32 of the Da/Da embryo, the rudiments of epurals 1, 2, and 3 differentiated dorsally opposite the sites of the ventral rudiments of the parhypural, the lower hypural plate, and the upper hypural plate, respectively. In the +/+ embryo, the rudiments of epurals 1 and 2 differentiated in the later developmental stages (after stage 34), but the rudiment of epural 3 did not differentiate. In the Da/Da embryo, the deep dorsal flexor passed dorsalwards and ended at the rudiment of epural 2, whereas the muscle passed ventralwards and ended at the rudiment of the upper hypural plate in the +/+ embryo. In the Da/Da fry, the epichordal region of the caudal fin fold grew and the notochord extended straight into the tail without bending, while in the + /+ fry, the epichordal region did not grow and the notochord turned dorsalwards within the tail. In the Da/Da fry, extra skeletal rudiments and musculature differentiated in the epichordal region of the caudal fin, whereas these supernumerary structures did not develop in the +/+ fry. The pattern of the epichordal skeleton and musculature in the caudal region of the adult Da/Da fish was an almost mirror-image duplication of the hypochordal structures. These observations suggest that the characteristic expansion of the dorsal fin and epichordal lobe in the caudal region of the adult Da/Da fish is due to a process of ventralization, whereby the dorsal skeleton, musculature, and fin fold are stimulated to differentiate in a pattern like that which is restricted to the anal fin and hypochordal lobe of the wild type.

Notizen: Tongue musculature in 24 genera of snakes was examined histologically. In all snakes, the tongue is composed of a few main groups of muscles. The M. hyoglossus is a paired bundle in the center of the tongue. The posterior regions of the tongue possess musculature that surrounds these bundles and is responsible for protrusion. Anterior tongue regions contain hyoglossal bundles, dorsal longitudinal muscle bundles and vertical and transverse bundles, which are perpendicular to the long axis of the tongue. The interaction of the longitudinal with the vertical and horizontal muscles is responsible for bending during tongue flicking. Despite general similarities, distinct patterns of intrinsic tongue musculature characterize each infraorder of snakes. The Henophidia are primitive; the Scolecophidia and Caenophidia are each distinguished by derived characters. These derived characters support hypotheses that these latter taxa are each monophyletic. Cylindrophis (Anilioidea) is in some characters intermediate between Booidea and Colubroidea. The condition in the Booidea resembles the lizard condition; however, no synapomorphies of tongue musculature confirm a relationship with any specific lizard family. Although the pattern of colubroids appears to be the most biomechanically specialized, as yet no behavioral or performance feature has been identified to distinguish them from other snakes.

Notizen: Wall and internal organelles of the encysting salt marsh heterotrich ciliate Fabrea salina were examined by bright field and Nomarski interference contrast microscopy and by transmission and scanning electron microscopy. A mucoid sheath believed to be derived from bacteria covers the ectocyst. The possible bacterial origin of this sheath has been demonstrated experimentally by its removal and reappearence after 24 hours. Control ectocyst maintained in sterile seawater did not replace the sheath. The ectocyst has a crinkled appearance. The endocyst is composed of two layers. The inner endocyst material is continuous with that of the plug located at one end of the cyst. The two membranes are separated from one another by an interwall space filled with fibrous material. The cytoplasm, covered by an outer double membrane pellicle, contains mucocysts, pigment granules, microtubules, non-ciliated kinetosomes, Golgi complexes, ribosome-studded endoplasmic reticulum, and mitochondria. The endoplasm contains numerous autophagosomes, mitochondria, and food reserve materials. The macronucleus is centrally located in the cytoplasm of the encysting organism.

Notizen: Analysis of lateral and dorsoventral radiographic films shows that ingestion, transport, and mastication in Pedetes capensis (Rodentia) are cyclic and their movement patterns are essentially similar for the three food types offered. During the ingestion cycle, closing of the mouth is accompanied by a backward translation of the condyles, so that movement is predominantly orthal. During the opening stage, the extent of the anterior condylar translation is smaller. As a result the mandibular incisors move ventrally and posteriorly. During the ingestion cycles, food is transported to the back of the tongue, with the transverse rugae and the folds of the upper lip playing important roles.Springhares show a bilateral masticatory pattern; food is chewed on both sides simultaneously. During chewing, the condyles lie in their most forward position at maximum opening of the mouth. The mouth is closed by rotation of the lower jaw around the temporomandibular joint coupled with posterior condylar translation. At the beginning of the slow-closing stage, the upward rotation of the mandible slows and the jaw slowly shifts forward. During the grinding stage, the mandible is shifted forward with both toothrows in occlusion. During the opening stage, the jaw returns to its starting position.Comparison of kinematic and anatomical data on rodent mastication suggests that some dental characteristics form the most important factors regulating the masticatory pattern and consequently allow reasonably reliable prediction of rodent masticatory patterns.

Notizen: Avian embryos can be completely paralyzed by injection of neuromuscular-blocking agents. We used a single injection of decamethonium iodide to paralyze embryos at 7, 8, or 10 days of incubation and analyzed the growth of individual bones (clavicle, mandible, ulna, femur, tibia, humerus) and of individual muscles that act upon some of those bones (clavicular and sternal heads of m. pectoralis, and mm. biceps brachii, depressor mandibulae, pseudotemporalis, and adductor externus). Growth of the bones is not equally affected by paralysis. Only 27% of clavicular growth (by mass) but 77% of mandibular growth occurred in paralyzed embryos, whereas the four long bones exhibited 52-63% of their normal growth. Analysis of muscle weight, fiber length and physiological cross-sectional area (weight/fiber length) indicate that there was greater reduction of the muscles acting on the limbs than of those acting on the mandible, i.e., diminished growth of the skeleton is correlated with reduced muscular activity. Specific retardation of clavicular growth is due to fusion of sternal rudiments and collapse of the thorax, as well as virtual absence of the musculature that normally attaches to the clavicle. We discuss these results in the light of intrinsic and extrinsic factors governing growth of tne embryonic skeleton. Paralysis reduces skeletal growth by reducing both the movements taking place in ovo, and the loads imposed on the bones by muscle contraction, changes that represent alterations in the mechanical environment of the skeleton.

Notizen: This study using light and electron microscopy indicates that the saccus vasculosus is distinguishable in 9-mm embryos and grows continuously throughout embryonic development to the adult stage. In the saccus vasculosus, epithelial mitoses are observed in all stages studied. Phases of centriologenesis, ciliogenesis, and globule formation have been characterized in developing coronet cells. During the phase of centriologenesis, new centrioles appear in association with pre-existing centrioles and not on deuterosomes. After ciliogenesis, each cilium differentiates to a globule almost at the same time as the other cilia of the coronet cell. The inner membrane system of the globules seems to derive from the ciliary plasma membrane. This membrane system often produces membrane whorls during the development. The different phases of coronet cell development have been found in the same individual and in all the stages studied except the 9-mm embryo. Cerebrospinal fluid-contacting neurons are observed in the saccus epithelium from the 12-mm embryos on and are distinguishable from coronet cells in their early formative stages. The three cell types of the saccus vasculosus increase continuously in number during development. Nerve processes are found in the saccus vasculosus of embryos, whereas differentiated synapses appear later in the fry. The significance of continued coronet cell formation is discussed in relation to a putative coronet cell and/or a globule renewal cycle in the adult.

Notizen: Changes of architecture of adult rat gastrocnemius medialis muscle (GM) due to growth were studied in relation to length-force characteristics. Myofilament lengths were unchanged, indicating constant sarcomere length-force characteristics. Number of sarcomeres within fibers was unchanged as a consequence of growth, allowing persistence of differences between proximal and distal fibers in all age groups. Distal fiber length at muscle optimum length was shorter for the 14- than for the 10- and 16-week age groups despite a lack of difference of number of sarcomeres. This is indicative of a shift of optimum fiber length with respect to muscle length to lengths higher than optimum length. Some evidence for the occurrence of distribution of fiber optimum lengths with respect to muscle optimum length was found in other age groups as well, albeit of a smaller magnitude. Muscle and aponeurosis length increased substantially with growth. Functional effects of increased aponeurosis lengths were increased contributions to muscle length changes by the aponeurosis, allowing smaller fiber contributions in older animals. Fiber angle increased approximately 5° with growth. Despite the differences of architecture indicated above, muscle length range between optimum length and active slack length was constant. This was probably caused by widening of this length range in the youngest age group by variations of architecture within the muscle. It is concluded that adaptation of aspects of muscle architecture is an important mechanism for adult muscle growth in rat GM. Of these aspects regulation of muscle length seems a dominant factor.

Notizen: 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.

Notizen: 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.

Notizen: 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.

Notizen: 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.

Notizen: 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.

Notizen: 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.

Notizen: 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.

Notizen: 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.

Notizen: 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.

Notizen: 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.

Notizen: 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.

Notizen: 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.