Light and electron microscopy study of the salivary glands of the carnivorous opisthobranch Philinopsis depicta (Mollusca, Gastropoda)

• Type: Article in International Scientific Journal
• Date: 2009

Authors

lobo-da-cunha, a (Author) ICBAS; Ferreira, I (Author) Other; Coelho, R (Author) Other; Calado, G (Author) Other

Journal

Title: TISSUE & CELL

Vol. 41

Pages: 367-375

ISSN: 0040-8166

Publisher: CHURCHILL LIVINGSTONE

Indexing

ISI Web of Knowledge - 5 Citations

Scopus - 6 Citations

Other information

Authenticus ID: P-003-FN3

DOI: 10.1016/j.tice.2009.03.001

Abstract (EN): Cephalaspideans are a group of opisthobranch gastropods that comprises carnivorous and herbivorous species, allowing an investigation of the relationship between these diets and the morphofunctional features of the salivary glands. In this study, the salivary glands of the carnivorous cephalaspidean Philinopsis depicta were observed by light and electron microscopy. The secretory epithelium of these ribbon-shaped glands is formed by ciliated cells, granular cells and cells with apical vacuole. In ciliated cells the nucleus and most cytoplasmic organelles are located in the wider apical region and a very thin stalk reaches the base of the epithelium. These cells possess significant amounts of glycogen. Granular cells are packed with electron-dense secretory granules and also contain several cisternae of rough endoplasmic reticulum and Golgi stacks. The other type of secretary cell is mainly characterized by the presence of a large apical vacuole containing secretion. These cells possess high amounts of rough endoplasmic reticulum cisternae and several Golgi stacks. Vesicles with peripheral electron-dense material are also abundant, and seem to fuse to form the apical vacuole. The available data point out to a significant difference between the salivary glands of carnivorous and herbivorous cephalaspidean opisthobranchs, with an intensification of protein secretion in carnivorous species.

Language: English

Type (Professor's evaluation): Scientific

No. of pages: 9