The Structure and Function of the Tube Feet in Certain Echinoderms

Smith, J. E.

doi:10.1017/s0025315400012042

Cited by 47 publications

(22 citation statements)

References 3 publications

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“…The histology of the tube-feet of O. nigra, including its mucous glands, has been most recently described by Smith (1937), who also reviews the earlier literature on the subject. As he points out, unicellular mucous glands are distributed over the entire tube-foot epithelium.…”

Section: Tube-foot Glandsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…CONCLUDING REMARKS It is curious that, although the tube-feet of O. nigra have been studied on several occasions (Smith, 1937;Reichensperger, 1908;Ostergren, 1904), the histology of no other part of the body has been investigated previously. This situation underlines the need for further morphological and functional studies in the Ophiuroidea as a whole, about which we have at the moment only the most meagre information.…”

Section: Further Observations On the Propertiesmentioning

confidence: 99%

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The Integumentary Mucous Secretions of the Ophiuroid Ophiocomina Nigra

Fontaine

1964

J. Mar. Biol. Ass.

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The general histology of the integument of the ophiuroid Ophiocomina nigra is outlined. Two types of integumentary mucous glands are described in detail for the first time. The first is a multicellular gland, the basal end of which is located deep within the calcareous layer of the integument. The source of the secretion is a variable number of nuclei embedded in a common cytoplasmic mass filled with fine basiphil granules. These cells contributed their secretion to a duct which pursues a tortuous course through the integument. The ducts frequently branch and anastomose so that any one exit pore may extrude mucin derived from a number of separate, polynuclear sources. The structure so formed is, thus, a massive, multicellular gland. Histochemical studies demonstrate that the mucin is a highly sulphated acid mucopolysaccharide. The second type of mucus-secreting unit is a unicellular gland usually located superficially in the calcareous layer or sometimes restricted to the epidermis and distributed universally over the body. The secretion product of these cells is shown histochemically to be a simple acid mucopolysaccharide. The mucin secreted by the tube-foot glands is demonstrated also to be a highly sulphated acid mucopolysaccharide.The function of these secretions has been investigated to some extent. The massive glands secrete only under conditions of alarm and it is suggested that this mucus serves as a defence against predation. The unicellular glands secrete in a periodic fashion correlated with the act of feeding. This secretion is probably utilized in a suspension-feeding mechanism.

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Section: Tube-foot Glandsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Further Observations On the Propertiesmentioning

confidence: 99%

The Integumentary Mucous Secretions of the Ophiuroid Ophiocomina Nigra

Fontaine

1964

J. Mar. Biol. Ass.

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“…The importance of the tube feet (or podia), i.e., the external appendages of the water-vascular system, in sea star biology has been emphasized by several workers (Smith, 1937;Nichols, 1966;Lawrence, 1987;Flammang, 1996). According to the species considered, the tube feet may be involved in one or several of the following functions: locomotion, fixation to the substratum, feeding, and burrowing.…”

mentioning

confidence: 99%

Comparative histological and immunohistochemical study of sea star tube feet (Echinodermata, Asteroidea)

Santos

Haesaerts²,

Jangoux

et al. 2005

J. Morphol.

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Adhesion in sea stars is the function of specialized structures, the tube feet or podia, which are the external appendages of the water-vascular system. Adhesive secretions allow asteroid tube feet to perform multiple functions. Indeed, according to the sea star species considered, the tube feet may be involved in locomotion, fixation, or burrowing. Different tube foot shapes usually correspond to this variety of function. In this study, we investigated the variability of the morphology of sea star tube feet as well as the variability of the composition of their adhesive secretions. This second aspect was addressed by a comparative immunohistochemical study using antibodies raised against the adhesive material of the forcipulatid Asterias rubens. The tube feet from 14 sea star species representing five orders and 10 families of the Class Asteroidea were examined. The histological study revealed three main tube foot morphotypes, i.e., knob-ending, simple disc-ending, and reinforced disc-ending. Analysis of the results suggests that tube foot morphology is influenced by species habitat, but within limits imposed by the evolutionary lineage. In immunohistochemistry, on the other hand, the results were very homogeneous. In every species investigated there was a very strong immunolabeling of the adhesive cells, independently of the taxon considered, of the tube foot morphotype or function, or of the species habitat. This indicates that the adhesives in all the species considered are closely related, probably sharing many identical molecules or, at least, many identical epitopes on their constituents.

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“…Mucus analyses have shown antifouling (Bavington 2004) and anticoagulant capabilities (Fontaine 1964). Moreover, mucus seems to play an important role in locomotion (Smith 1937;Fontaine 1964;Ball & Jangoux 1990) and feeding (Fontaine 1964(Fontaine , 1965. Mucus adhesives properties would explain the great capacities of O. nigra climbing vertical wall and staying fixed on it.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

<p><strong>Study of the luminescence in the black brittle-star Ophiocomina nigra: toward a new pattern of light emission in ophiuroids*</strong></p>

Jones

Mallefet

2012

Zoosymposia

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The black brittle star Ophiocomina nigra, common in the English Channel, is known to produce mucus when attacked. This mucus, already known for its antifouling capabilities and its role in the feeding and the locomotion behaviours of the brittle star, also emits weak light. We describe and characterize this emission of bioluminescence, thanks to a chemical triggering by hydrogen peroxide. It appears that the light emitted is 1000 times less intense than the light emitted by other brittle star species (Ophiopsila aranea and Amphipholis squamata). The luminous capabilities are homogeneously spread along the arms of the brittle star, what goes against the use of bioluminescence as a sacrificial lure. The mechanical stimulation of arms before chemical triggering strongly enhances the luminous capabilities of the brittle star. Luminous mucus emission can be associated with other defensive function, such as a smoke screen effect or a burglar alarm, but these two functions require intense light emissions. The fact that the luminous component is excreted outside the body might be in favour of the aposematic use of light, i.e., as a signal to warn predators of the toxicity or unpalatability of its prey.

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The Structure and Function of the Tube Feet in Certain Echinoderms

Cited by 47 publications

References 3 publications

The Integumentary Mucous Secretions of the Ophiuroid Ophiocomina Nigra

The Integumentary Mucous Secretions of the Ophiuroid Ophiocomina Nigra

Comparative histological and immunohistochemical study of sea star tube feet (Echinodermata, Asteroidea)

<p><strong>Study of the luminescence in the black brittle-star Ophiocomina nigra: toward a new pattern of light emission in ophiuroids*</strong></p>

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