Skip to main content
Download PDF
  • Published:

Die Cnidogenese der Octocorallia (Anthozoa, Cnidaria): II. Reifung, Wanderung und Zerfall von Cnidoblast und Nesselkapsel

The cnidogenesis of the Octocorallia (Anthozoa, Cnidaria): II. Maturation, migration and degeneration of cnidoblast and nematocyst

Helgoländer Meeresuntersuchungen volume 35, pages 97–118 (1982)Cite this article

Abstract

Migration of cnidoblasts has never been observed in Anthozoa. In contrast to hydrozoans, anthozoans are repeatedly reported to develop nematocysts locally without migration in the entoderm as well as in the ectoderm. The majority of the nematocysts studied in different Octocorallia species (Alcyonaria:Alcyonarium digitatum, Parerythropodium coralloides; Gorgonaria:Pseudopterogorgia aerosa; Pennatularia:Veretillum cynomorium) originate from the ectoderm of the scapus, where, however, no mature nematocysts occur. Cnidoblasts containing immature nematocysts accumulate in the distal scapus, from where they migrate singly like amoebae into the pinnulae of the tentacles. The nematocysts mature during migration, during which the capsular matrix becomes completely electron-translucent. Only in the oral disc, where few nematocysts occur, do they mature locally without migration. In the Octocorallia, nematocyst development and maturation takes places only in the ectoderm. Development of nematocysts has never been observed in the entoderm, nor in the pharynx; this demonstrates its entodermal origin. The entoderm contains only degenerated or phagocytized nematocysts. Contrary to hydrozoans, the mature anthozoan cnidocyte is rounded and has no processes to the mesogloea. Instead of a cnidocil it has a ciliary cone consisting of a normal flagellum, stereocilia and macrovilli. The cnidocyte is characterised by abundant electron-translucent cytoplasm and nematocyst-anchoring structures made up of cross-striated, collagen-like fibrillae and a fibrous basal ring. The position of the cross-striated fibrillae is distally similar to that of the supportive rods in hydrozoan cnidoblasts. The present study clearly demonstrates that structure and, possibly, function of an octocorallian cnidocyte is much simpler than that of a hydrozoan cnidocyte. On the other hand, cnidoblast migration, occurring in Hydrozoa as well in Octocorallia, turned out to be a much older phylogenetic character than was formerly believed.

Zitierte literatur

  • Achermann, J. & Tardent, P., 1973. Untersuchungen zum Problem des Nematocytennachschubs beiCladonema radiatum. — Revue suisse Zool.80, 704–712.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Bouillon, J. & Levi, C., 1967. Ultrastructure du cnidocil, de l'appareil cnidociliare, de l'appareil perinématocystique et du Cnidopode des nématocystes d'hydroides. — Am. Sci. nat. Zool.9, 425–456.

    Google Scholar 

  • Bouillon, J. & Massin, C., 1974. La cnidogenèse. — Annls Soc. r. zool. Belg.104, 7–38.

    Google Scholar 

  • Buisson, B., 1970. Les supports morphologiques de l'intégration dans la colonie deVeretillum cynomorium. — Z. Morph. Tiere68, 1–36.

    Google Scholar 

  • Burnett, A. C., 1961. Growth factors in the tissues ofHydra. In: The biology ofHydra. Ed. by H. M. Lenhoff & W. F. Loomis. Univ. of Miami Press, Coral Gables, Fla., 425–440.

    Google Scholar 

  • Burnett, A. L., 1960. The nematocyst ofHydra. II The maturation of nematocysts inHydra. — Annls Soc. r. zool. Belg.90, 269–280.

    Google Scholar 

  • Burnett, A. L. & Lentz, T., 1960. The migration pathways of nematocysts inHydra. — Annls Soc. r. zool. Belg.90, 281–293.

    Google Scholar 

  • Burnett, J. W., 1971. An Electron microscopic study of two nematocytes in the tentacles ofCyanea capillata. — Chesapeake Sci.12, 67–71.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Campbell, R. D., 1967. Growth pattern ofHydra: Distribution of mitotic cella inH. pseudoligactis. — Trans. Am. microsc. Soc.86, 169–173.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Campbell, R. D., 1974. Cell movements inHydra. — Am. Zool.14, 523–535.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Campbell, R. D. & Marcum, B. A., 1980. Nematocyte migration inHydra: Evidence for contact guidance in vivo. — J. Cell. Sci.41, 33–51.

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Carré, D., 1972. Etude du développement de cnidocystes dans le gastrozoide deMuggiaea kochi. — C. r. hebd. Séanc. Acad. Sci.275, 1263–1266.

    Google Scholar 

  • Carré, D., 1974a. Formation, migration et maturation des nématoblastes et des nematocystes chez les siphonophores. I. Mise en évidence et formation des clones de nématocystes. — Annls Embryol. Morphogen.7, 205–218.

    Google Scholar 

  • Carré, D., 1974b. Formation, migration et maturation des nématoblastes et des nématocystes chez les siphonophores. II. Migration. — Annls Embryol. Morphogen.7, 221–232.

    Google Scholar 

  • Carré, D., 1974c. Formation, migration et maturation des nématoblastes et des nématocystes chez les siphonophores. III. Maturation des nématoblastes et des nématocystes. — Annls Embryol. Morphogen.7, 233–242.

    Google Scholar 

  • Chapman, G. B., 1961. The fine structure of the stenoteles ofHydra. In: The biology ofHydra. Ed. by H. M. Lenhoff & W. F. Loomis. Univ. of Miami Press, Coral Cables, Fla., 131–151.

    Google Scholar 

  • Chapman, G. B. & Tilney, L. G., 1959. Cytological studies of the nematocysts ofHydra. I. Desmonemes, Isorhizas, Cnidocils and Supporting Structures. — J. biophys. biochem. Cytol.5, 69–78.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  • Davis, L. E., 1970. Further observations on dividing and nondividing cnidoblasts in the regenerating isolates gastrodermis ofHydra. — Z. Zellforsch. mikrosk. Anat.105, 526–537.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Ewald, A., 1915. Ãœber den Bau, die Entladung und Entwicklung der Nesselkapseln vonHydra undPorpita mediterranea, nebst einigen histologischen Bemerkungen über die letztere Form. — Verh. naturh.-med. Ver. Heidelb.16, 303–354.

    Google Scholar 

  • Günzl, H., 1968. Ãœber die Reifung der Nesselkapseln beiDipurena reesi Vanucci. — Z. Zellforsch. mikrosk. Anat.89, 509–518.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Günzl, H., 1971.Dipurena reesi (Hydrozoa). Wanderung der Cnidoblasten in den Rhizostolonen. — Encyclopaedia Cinematographica, Göttingen.

    Google Scholar 

  • Hadzi, J., 1909. Ãœber die Nesselkapselwanderung bei den Hydroidpolypen. — Arb. zool. Inst. Univ. Wien,17, 65–94.

    Google Scholar 

  • Hauenschild, C., 1957. Versuche über die Wanderung der Nesselzellen bei der Meduse vonEleutheria dichotoma. — Z. Naturf.12, 472–477.

    Google Scholar 

  • Herlands, R. L. & Bode, H. R., 1974a. Nematocyte migration inHydra, influenced by tissue polarity. — Nature, Lond.248, 387–390.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Herlands, R. L. & Bode, H. R., 1974b. Oriented migration of interstitial cells and nematocytes inHydra attenuata. — Wilhelm Rouxs Arch. EntwMech. Org.176, 67–88.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Holstein, T., 1981. The morphogenesis of nematocytes inHydra andForskalia. — J. Ultrastruct. Res.75, 276–290.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Hyman, L. A., 1940. The invertebrates Vol. 1: Protozoa-Ctenophora. McGraw-Hill, New York, 726 pp.

    Google Scholar 

  • Ivester, M. S., 1977. Nematocyst differentiation in the anthozoonRenilla reniformis. — Trans. Am. microsc. Soc.96, 238–247.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • King, M. G. & Spencer, A. N., 1979. Gap and septate junctions in the excitable endoderm ofPolyorchis penicillatus. — J. Cell Sci.36, 391–400.

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Kühn, A., 1914–1916. Coelenterata Histologie. VII. Die Nesselorgane. — Bronn's Kl. Ord. Tierreichs,2 (2), 22–26.

    Google Scholar 

  • Lentz, T. L. & Barrnett, R. J., 1961. Enzyme histochemistry ofHydra. — J. exp. Zool.147, 125–149.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Lentz, T. L., 1965. The fine structure of differentiating interstitial cells inHydra. — Z. Zellforsch. mikrosk. Anat.67, 547–560.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Lentz, T. L., 1966. The cell biology ofHydra. Elsevier, Amsterdam, 199 pp.

    Google Scholar 

  • Lyons, K. M., 1973. Collar cells in planula and adult tentacle ectoderm of the solitary coralBalanophyllia regia. — Z. Zellforsch. mikrosk. Anat.145, 57–74.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Mariscal, R. N. & Bitter, C. H., 1977. Possible ecological significance of octocoral epithelial ultrastructure. — Proc. int. Coral Reef Symp.3, 127–133.

    Google Scholar 

  • Mattern, C. F. T., Park, H. D. & Daniel, W. A., 1965. Electron microscope observations on the structure and discharge of the sternothele ofHydra. — J. Cell Biol.27, 621–638.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  • Meek, G. A., 1968. Apparent intracellular collagen synthesis. In: Cellstructure and its interpretation. Ed. by S. M. McGee-Russel & K. F. A. Ross. Arnold, London, 225–235.

    Google Scholar 

  • Mergner, H., 1957. Die Ei- und Embryonalentwicklung vonEudendrium racemosum CAVOLINI. — Zool. Jb. (Anat. Ontogenie Tiere)76, 63–94.

    Google Scholar 

  • Minasian, L. L. & Mariscal, R. N., 1979. The occurrence of cnidoblasts in different regions of a sea anemone,Haliplanella luciae (Verill). — The 4th int. Coelenterate Conf., Interlaken, Poster (Abstracts).

  • Moroff, T. H., 1909. Entwicklung der Nesselzellen beiAnemonia. Ein Beitrag zur Physiologie des Zellkerns. — Arch. Zellforsch.4, 142–161.

    Google Scholar 

  • Peteya, D. J., 1973. A possible proprioceptor inCerianthopsis americana. — Z. Zellforsch. mikrosk. Anat.144, 1–10.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Peteya, D. J., 1975. The miliary-cone sensory cell of anemones and cerianthids. — Tissue Cell7, 243–252.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Rich, F. & Tardent, P., 1969. Untersuchungen zur Nematocyten-Differenzierung beiHydra attenuata. — Revue suisse Zool.76, 779–787.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Schäfer, W. & Schmidt, H., 1982. Die Struktur und Genese der Anthozoenoocyten. — In Vorbereitung.

  • Schmidt, H., 1970.Anthopleura stellula and its reproduction by transverse fission. — Mar. Biol.5, 245–255.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Schmidt, H., 1974. On the evolution in the Anthozoa. In: Proceedings of the 2nd International Coral Reef Symposium. Great Barrier Reef Comm., Brisbane,1, 533–560.

    Google Scholar 

  • Schmidt, H., 1981. Die Cnidogenese der Octocorallia (Anthozoa, Cnidaria): I. Die Sekretion und Differenzierung von Kapsel und Schlauch. — Helgoländer Meeresunters.34, 463–484.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Schmidt, H. & Zissler, D., 1979. Die Spermien der Anthozoen und ihre phylogenetische Bedeutung. — Zoologica, Stuttg.129, 1–97.

    Google Scholar 

  • Schmidt, H. & Höltken, B., 1980. Peculiarities of spermatogenesis und sperm in anthozoa. Development and cellular biology of coelenterates. Ed. by P. Tardent & R. Tardent. Elsevier, Amsterdam, 53–73.

    Google Scholar 

  • Schneider, K. C., 1900. Mitteilungen über Siphonophoren. V. Nesselzellen. — Arb. zool. Inst. Univ. Wien12, 133–243.

    Google Scholar 

  • Shostak, S., Patel, G. & Burnett, A. L., 1965. The role of mesogloea in mass cell movement. — Devl. biol.12, 434–450.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Skaer, R. J., 1973. The secretion and development of nematocysts in a siphonophore. — J. Cell Sci.13, 371–393.

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Slautterback, D. B., 1961. Nematocyst development. — In: The biology ofHydra. Ed. by H. M. Lenhoff & W. F. Loomis. Univ. of Miami Press, Coral Gables, Fla. 77–129.

    Google Scholar 

  • Slautterback, D. B., 1967. The cnidoblast — musculoepithelial cell complex in the tentacles ofHydra. — Z. Zellforsch. mikrosk. Anat.79, 296–318.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Slautterback, D. B. & Fawcett, D. W., 1959. The development of the cnidoblasts ofHydra. — J. biophys. biochem. Cytol.5, 441–452.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  • Tardent, P. & Morgenthaler, U, 1960. Autoradiographische Untersuchungen zum Problem der Zellwanderung beiHydra attenuata. — Annls Soc. r. zool. Belg.90., 281–293.

    Google Scholar 

  • Tardent, P., Rich, F. & Schneider, V., 1971. The polarity of stenothele differentiation inHydra attenuata Pall. — Devl. Biol.24, 596–608.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Weber, G., Honegger, T. & Tardent, P., 1978. Neuorientierung der Nesselzellwanderung beiHydra attenuata PALL. durch transplantierte Tentakel. — Revue suisse Zool.85, 768–774.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Weill, R., 1934. Contribution al l'étude des cnidaires et des leurs nématocystes. — Trav. Stn zool. Wimereux10–11, 1–701.

    Google Scholar 

  • Westfall, J., 1965. Nematocysts of the sea anemoneMetridium. — Am Zool.5, 377–393.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Westfall, J., 1970. The nematocate complex in a hydromedusan,Gonionemus vertens. — Z. Zellforsch. mikrosk. Anat.110, 457–470.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Wood, R. L. & Kuda, A. M., 1980. Formation of junctions in regeneratingHydra: Septate junctions. — J. Ultrastruc. Res.70, 104–117.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Yanagita, T. M. & Wada, T., 1959. Physiological mechanisms of nematocyst responses in sea anemone. — Cytologica24, 81–97.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Znidaric, D. & Lui, A., 1969. Redifferentiation of gland cells inHydra and further development of interstitial cells arising from them. — Wilhelm Rouxs Arch. EntwMech. Org.162, 374–383.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Zumstein, A., 1973. Regulation der Nematocyten-Produktion beiHydra attenuata. — Wilhelm Rouxs Arch. EntwMech. Org.173, 294–318.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Zumstein, A. & Tardent, P., 1971. Beitrag zum Problem der Regulation der Nematocytenproduktion beiHydra attenuata. — Revue suisse Zool.78, 705–714.

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Zoologisches Institut I der Universität Heidelberg, Im Neuenheimer Feld 230, D-6900, Heidelberg, Bundesrepublik Deutschland

    H. Schmidt & B. Moraw

Authors
  1. H. Schmidt
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. B. Moraw
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Schmidt, H., Moraw, B. Die Cnidogenese der Octocorallia (Anthozoa, Cnidaria): II. Reifung, Wanderung und Zerfall von Cnidoblast und Nesselkapsel. Helgolander Meeresunters 35, 97–118 (1982). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02289837

Download citation

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02289837

Helgoland Marine Research

ISSN: 1438-3888

Contact us