Observations on the Surface Structure of Aurelia solida (Scyphozoa) Polyps and Medusae

Diversity

Rok Kostanjšek¹  Jasna Štrus¹  Magda Tušek Žnidarič²  Ana Fortič³  Alenka Malej³  Maja Kos Kramar³  Valentina Turk³ 

[1] Biotechnical Faculty, University of Ljubljana, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia;National Institute of Biology, Department of Biotechnology and Systems Biology, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia;National Institute of Biology, Marine Biology Station Piran, 6330 Piran, Slovenia;

关键词: Aurelia solida;    polyp;    medusa;    surface microlayer;    mucus;    scanning electron microscopy (SEM);   

DOI  :  10.3390/d13060244

来源: DOAJ

【 摘 要 】

The surface structures and mucus layers that form an interface between the epithelial layer of organisms and their external environment were studied in the bloom-forming moon jellyfish (Aurelia solida, Scyphozoa) from the northern Adriatic. The surface of the polyps revealed epithelial ciliated cells and numerous nematocysts, both non-discharged and discharged. Cilia were also the most prominent features on the surface of adult medusa, protruding from the epidermal cells and with microvilli surrounding the base. Histochemical methods and various microscopy techniques (light/epifluorescence and electron microscopy) confirmed the presence of abundant mucus around polyps and on the surfaces of adult medusa, and that the mucus contained acidic and neutral mucins. The observed mucus secretions on the exumbrella surface of the medusae were in the form of granules, flocs, and sheets. Scanning electron microscopy and transmission electron microscopy analyses confirmed the presence of various microbes in the mucus samples, but not on the epithelial surfaces of the polyps or the exumbrella of the medusae.

【 授权许可】

Unknown