Novel Structures Associated with Presumed Photoreceptors in the Aboral Sense Organ of Ctenophores

Tamm, Sidney L.

doi:10.1086/690089

Cited by 8 publications

(11 citation statements)

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“…Tamm and Tamm [ 34 , 37 ] hypothesized that the actin pegs are mechanoreceptors and that the onion root cilia are chemosensitive. Similar structures have been described in the tentacles of cydippid ctenophores and the “fingers” of Leucothea [ 36 , 39 – 41 ], but not in M. leidyi ; however, Tamm [ 42 , 43 ] observed bristle-like structures that project from the apical organ floor in M. leidyi and other ctenophores. In addition, M. leidyi has onion root cilia in the epidermis of the auricles.…”

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 66%

The ctenophore Mnemiopsis leidyi regulates egg production via conspecific communication

2018

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BackgroundCommunication between individuals of the same species is an important aspect of mating and reproduction in most animals. In simultaneously hermaphroditic species with the ability to self-fertilize, communication with conspecifics can be essential to avoid inbreeding depression. One such behavioral adaptation observed in some simultaneous hermaphrodites is gamete trading. This behavior involves individual hermaphrodites in pairs alternating between reproducing as the male and female, and, as such, necessarily requires communication and coordination between mates. Little is known about communication in ctenophores and conspecific communication has not been described in this group; however, our previous work suggested that the ctenophore Mnemiopsis leidyi might engage in gamete trading. We tested for this possibility by constructing divided arenas (both sealed and permeable) that allowed us to measure individual egg output for paired M. leidyi.ResultsWe found that, when not allowed to interact, size-matched individuals produced similar numbers of eggs on each side of the arena. However, if allowed to interact and exchange water, size-matched pairs produce significantly different numbers of eggs on each side of the arena, suggesting that these pairs use chemical communication to modulate reproduction in the presence of conspecifics as would be expected in gamete trading.ConclusionThis finding presents exciting new possibilities for future investigations into the nature of signaling in M. leidyi. Furthermore, this first evidence of conspecific communication in Ctenophora, a group that branched off from the rest of animals more than 600 million years ago, has significant implications for the signaling ability of the last common ancestor of all animals.Electronic supplementary materialThe online version of this article (10.1186/s12898-018-0169-9) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

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Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 66%

The ctenophore Mnemiopsis leidyi regulates egg production via conspecific communication

2018

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“…A bright single statolith (Tamm, ) is visible in the center of the aboral organ (Figure b). The aboral organ performs multiple integrative functions and has a complex ultrastructural organization (Aronova, ; Hernandez‐Nicaise, ; Lowe, ; Tamm, ; Tamm, ). Eight thin and long ciliated furrows (Figure b) connect the aboral organ with eight swim cilia rows (Figure a,c), which represent the main means of locomotion in the ctenophores.…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…These anal pores can be seen in both sagittal and horizontal planes of the images (Figures a,b and a). Inside the aboral organ, tubulin IR staining revealed four elongated cell‐like structures (Figure a,d), which were located under four balances that support the statolith (Tamm, ; Tamm, , ). The statolith itself was often washed away during the incubation and washing in numerous solutions.…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Neuromuscular organization of the Ctenophore Pleurobrachia bachei

Norekian

Moroz

2018

J of Comparative Neurology

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Ctenophores are descendants of one of the earliest branching metazoan lineage with enigmatic nervous systems. The lack of convenient neurogenic molecules and neurotransmitters suggests an extensive parallel evolution and independent origins of neurons and synapses. However, the field lags due to the lack of microanatomical data about the neuro‐muscular systems in this group of animals. Here, using immunohistochemistry and scanning electron microscopy, we describe the organization of both muscular and nervous systems in the sea gooseberry, Pleurobrachia bachei, from North Pacific. The diffuse neural system of Pleurobrachia consists of two subsystems: the subepithelial neural network and the mesogleal net with about 5,000–7,000 neurons combined. Our data revealed the unexpected complexity of neuromuscular organization in this basal metazoan lineage. The anatomical diversity of cell types includes at least nine broad categories of neurons, five families of surface receptors and more than two dozen types of muscle cells as well as regional concentrations of neuronal elements to support ctenophore feeding, complex swimming, escape, and prey capture behaviors. In summary, we recognize more than 80 total morphological cell types. Thus, in terms of cell‐type specification and diversity, ctenophores significantly exceed what we currently know about other prebilaterian groups (placozoan, sponges, and cnidarians), and some basal bilaterians.

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“…Inside the aboral organ, tubulin IR staining revealed four elongated cell-like structures (Fig. 3C, D), which were located under four balances that support the statolith (Tamm, 1982;Tamm, 2015;2016b). The statolith itself was often washed away during the incubation and washing in numerous solutions.…”

Section: Immunoreactivity For Neurons and Ciliamentioning

confidence: 99%

“…1B). The aboral organ performs multiple integrative functions and has a complex ultrastructural organization (Aronova, 1974;Tamm, 1982;Hernandez-Nicaise, 1991;Lowe, 1997;Tamm, 2016b). Eight thin and long ciliated furrows (Fig.…”

Section: Brief Introduction To the Pleurobrachia Anatomymentioning

confidence: 99%

Atlas of Neuromuscular Organization in the Ctenophore, Pleurobrachia bachei (A. Agassiz, 1860)

Norekian

Moroz

2018

Preprint

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Enigmatic ctenophores are descendants of one of the earliest branching metazoan lineage. Their nervous systems are equally elusive. The lack of convenient neurogenic molecules and neurotransmitters suggests an extensive parallel evolution and independent origins of neurons and synapses. However, the field is logged behind due to the lack of microanatomical data about the neuro-muscular systems in this group of animals. Here, using immunohistochemistry and scanning electron microscopy, we describe the organization of both muscular and nervous systems in the sea gooseberry, Pleurobrachia bachei, from North Pacific. The diffused neural system of Pleurobrachia consists of two subsystems: the subepithelial neural network and the mesogleal net with about 5000-7000 neurons combined. Our data revealed the unprecedented complexity of neuromuscular organization in this basal metazoan lineage. The anatomical diversity of cell types includes at least nine broad categories of neurons, five families of surface receptors and more than two dozen types of muscle cells as well as regional concentrations of neuronal elements to support ctenophore feeding, complex swimming, escape and prey capture behaviors. In summary, we recognize more than 80 total morphological cell types. Thus, in terms of cell type specification and diversity, ctenophores significantly exceed what we currently know about other prebilaterian groups (placozoan, sponges, and cnidarians), and some basal bilaterians.

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Novel Structures Associated with Presumed Photoreceptors in the Aboral Sense Organ of Ctenophores

Cited by 8 publications

References 10 publications

The ctenophore Mnemiopsis leidyi regulates egg production via conspecific communication

The ctenophore Mnemiopsis leidyi regulates egg production via conspecific communication

Neuromuscular organization of the Ctenophore Pleurobrachia bachei

Atlas of Neuromuscular Organization in the Ctenophore, Pleurobrachia bachei (A. Agassiz, 1860)

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