Ultrastructure of a possible new type of crustacean cuticular strain receptor in Carcinus maenas (crustacea,decapoda)

A hitherto unknown sensillum type, the “intracuticular sensillum” was identified on the dactyls of the walking legs of the shore crab, Carcinus maenas. Each sensillum is innervated by two sensory cells with dendrites of “scolopidial” (type I) organization. The ciliary segment of the dendrite is 5–6 μm long and contains A-tubules with an electron-dense core and dynein arm-like protuberances; the terminal segment is characterized by densely packed microtubules. The outer dendritic segments pass through the endo- and exocuticle enclosed in a dendritic sheath and a cuticulax tube (canal), which is suspended inside a slit-shaped cavity by cuticular lamellae. The dendrites and the cavity terminate in a cupola-shaped invagination of the epicuticle. External cuticular structures are lacking. Three inner and four to six outer enveloping cells are associated with each intracuticular sensillum. The innermost enveloping cell contains a large scolopale that is connected to the ciliary rootlets inside the inner dendritic segments by desmosomes. Scolopale rods are present in enveloping cell 2. Since type I dendrites and a scolopale are regarded as modality-specific structures of mechanoreceptors, and since no supracuticular endorgan is present, the intracuticular sensilla likely are sensitive to cuticular strains. The intracuticular sensilla should be regarded as analogous to insect campaniform sensilla and arachnid slit sense organs.