The intestinal musculature of Derocheilocaris typica (Crustacea, Mystacocarida) - A different and unique pattern.

Rolf Elofsson, Robert R Hessler

    Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

    Abstract

    An ultrastructural study of the intestine of Derocheilocaris typica revealed an organization of the midgut musculature, which is unique in the Crustacea. This species unusual anal skeletomusculature has also not been seen before. The intestinal musculature of D. typica displays different patterns in the fore-, mid-, and hindgut. Around the foregut, eight pairs of dilator muscles complement a contiguous carpet of circular muscles around the foregut. Their coordinated action serves to suck in food and pass it to the midgut. A pair of large glands, each consisting of three cells, opens into the foregut above the mouth. The midgut musculature differs from any previously described. Circular muscles give rise to thin, longitudinal protrusions and short longitudinal muscles. The distribution of all of them is irregular. Thus the short longitudinal muscles, which have a length of approximately one segment, vary from none to five within a segment. The last abdominal segment is exceptional, by having 15-20 short longitudinal muscles. The hindgut has three longitudinal muscle groups each consisting of three muscles, one dorsally and one on each side. The posterior end of the midgut and the hindgut suggests that they act together to achieve defecation. The importance of the peri-intestinal cells as part of the nutritional process is emphasized.
    Original languageEnglish
    Pages (from-to)242-250
    JournalArthropod Structure & Development
    Volume39
    DOIs
    Publication statusPublished - 2010

    Subject classification (UKÄ)

    • Zoology

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