Histological organization of the intestine in the crayfish Procambarus clarkii
Date
2004-04
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Blackwell Publishing
Abstract
Six longitudinal ridges span the length of the intestine in the crayfish
Procambarus
clarkii
. A simple columnar epithelium with tetralaminar cuticle lines the lumen.
Folds of the epithelium overlie a dense irregular connective tissue packed with
mixed acinar (alveolar) glands. Mucous secretions are probably involved with
formation and lubrication of faecal strings; neither the nature nor the role of
the serous secretions is immediately apparent. Aggregations of cells with large
cytoplasmic vacuoles, called bladder cells, appear in the subepithelial connective
tissue near the tops of the intestinal ridges. The bladder cells are suitably
positioned to bolster the integrity of the ridges. Striated muscle of the intestine
occurs in inner longitudinal and outer circular layers. The inner longitudinal layer
consists of six strips, with one strip associated with the base of each intestinal
ridge. The outer circular layer is essentially complete, but there are periodic
apertures in this layer on the left and right sides of the intestine, providing nerves
and haemolymph vessels with access to the interior of the gut. Based on histological
features, and consistent with reports on other crayfish, we conclude that
the intestine of
P. clarkii
has a proctodeal (ectodermal) origin.
Description
The definitive version is available at www.blackwell-synergy.com
Keywords
Biology
Citation
Terence H. To, Tracy L. Brenner, Michael J. Cavey and Jerrel L. Wilkens "Histological organization of the intestine in the crayfish Procambarus clarkii" Acta Zoologica (Stockholm)
85
: 119–130 (April 2004)