| Abstract: | Embryos of most species within the viviparous teleost family Goodeidae develop characteristics perianal processes that are considered to be derivatives of the embryonic hindgut. These processes, termed trophotaeniae, are covered with an epithelium that is continuous with the absorptive epithelium lining the hindgut. Gestation is intraovarian, and trophotaeniae mediate the uptake of maternally provided nutrients into the embryo from the ovarian fluid. Ultrastructural examination of the trophotaeniae of four goodeid species reveals substantial diversity in the organization of the epithelium within the family. The trophotaeniae of Alloophorus robustus, Zoogoneticus quitzeoensis, and Ilyodon furcidens have morphological features associated with the endocytosis of macromolecules and can be shown to endocytose the exogenous protein tracer horseradish peroxidase (HRP) rapidly. The trophotaenial epithelia of these species differ from one another with respect to other morphological features such as cell height, organization of the brush border, and the complexity of the intercellular spaces. The trophotaeniae of Goodea atripinnis lack an endocytotic apparatus and do not endocytose HRP. However, the overall organization of G. atripinnis trophotaenial cells suggests a function as a transporting epithelium. The cells have a dense brush border, numerous mitochondria, and many mitochondria that are enveloped by lamellar sheets of intracellular membrane. Post-fixation with osmium and potassium ferrocyanide reveals a marked difference in the complexity of the subepithelial connective tissue. Alloophorus robustus and Z. quitzeoensis exhibit an extremely electron-dense ground substance containing many acellular components. Goodea atripinnis exhibits an electron-lucid ground substance with few acellular components. © 1994 Wiley-Liss, Inc. |
