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The aboral haemal system of the sea star, Asterias rubens (Echinodermata, Asteroidea): An ultrastructural and histochemical study

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Summary

The aboral parts of the haemal system of the sea star Asterias rubens are described, based on light and electron microscopy. These parts are (1) the mesenteric strands along the pyloric caeca and the pyloric stomach, (2) the gastric haemal tufts, and (3) the aboral haemal ring. The mesenteric haemal strands are very limited in size and distribution and, therefore, do not seem to have a major function in nutrient translocation. The myoepithelial cells of the gastric haemal tufts have the typical features of choanocytes; their ultrastructural characteristics corroborate the possible absorptive role of the gastric haemal tufts. The myoepithelial cells of the aboral haemal ring often show distinct apical bulbs of cytoplasm suggesting apocrine secretion of PAS-positive materials which are found in the surrounding aboral coelomic ring. These cells contain large stores of particulate glycogen and typical 1–2 μm electrondense globules.

The ground substance of the haemal tissues, which contains collagen fibers, reticular fibrils, and numerous amoeboid phagocytes, has been analyzed histochemically. Sulfated glycosaminoglycans are almost completely absent; the predominant components are polysaccharides, proteins, and/or glycoproteins. Lipids have not been demonstrated.

The possible functions of the haemal tissues and associated coelomic channels are discussed.

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  1. Research Group for Invertebrate Reproductive Physiology, Laboratory of Chemical Animal Physiology, State University of Utrecht, 8 Padualaan, NL-3508 TB, Utrecht, The Netherlands

    F. B. Beijnink & P. A. Voogt

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  1. F. B. Beijnink
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  2. P. A. Voogt
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Beijnink, F.B., Voogt, P.A. The aboral haemal system of the sea star, Asterias rubens (Echinodermata, Asteroidea): An ultrastructural and histochemical study. Zoomorphology 106, 49–60 (1986). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00311947

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