Blasenzellen im Bindegewebe des Schlundrings von Cepaea nemoralis L. (Gastropoda,Stylommatophora)

Zusammenfassung Die Blasenzellen stellen ein typisches Zellelement im Bindegewebe der Gastropoden dar. Licht- und elektronenmikroskopische Untersuchungen an Cepaea nemoralis haben gezeigt, daß der größte Teil einer Blasenzelle mit einer veränderlichen Glykogenmenge angefüllt ist. Diese zentrale Glykogenansammlung verdrängt das Zytoplasma mit seinen Organellen auf den peripheren Bereich der Zelle einschließlich der Zellausläufer und einen schmalen Saum um den Zellkern. Das wichtigste Identifizierungs-merkmal der Blasenzelle ist eine sehr spezialisierte — hier als Spaltenapparat bezeichnete — Oberflächendifferenzierung. Die Auswertung von Serienschnitten hat gezeigt, daß diese Oberflächenstruktur durch eine zum Teil verzweigte Invagination des extrazellulären Raumes gebildet wird, die wiederum von der Blasenzelle durch eine mäanderförmig unterbrochene Platte abgedeckt ist. Zwischen dem Spaltenapparat der Blasenzellen und dem Reusenapparat der Podozyten der Niere scheint eine Ähnlichkeit zu bestehen.

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Globular cells of the ganglionic connective tissue sheath of Cepaea nemoralis L. (Gastropoda, Stylommatophora)I. The ultrastructure of the cells

Summary The globular cells are typical elements of the connective tissue of Gastropods. Light- and electronmicroscopic investigations of Cepaea nemoralis have shown, that these cells are filled with variable contents of glycogen, accumulated in the centre of the cell. This crowds the cytoplasm and the cell organelles into the peripheral area, including the cell processes and a narrow band surrounding the nucleus. The typical element of the globular cell is a special differentiation of the cell surface, the so-called Spaltenapparat. The three-dimensional organisation of the Spaltenapparat has been analysed by serial ultrathin sections. The reconstruction shows, that the Spaltenapparat consists of numerous branched invaginations of the extracellular space covered by very small, winding cell processes; there are tiny clefts between them. There appears to be some similarity between the Spaltenapparat of the globular cells and the pedicels of the podocytes of the renal glomerulus.

Frau Prof. Dr. A. Nolte danke ich für anregende Diskussion, Frau R. Dingerdissen und Herrn Dr. Kappert für technische Hilfe.     

Blasenzellen im Bindegewebe des Schlundrings von Cepaea nemoralis L. (Gastropoda,Stylommatophora)

Zusammenfassung Experimentelle Untersuchungen am Schlundringbindegewebe von Cepaea nemoralis haben ergeben, daß — abgesehen von einigen Blutzellen—allein die Blasenzellen befähigt sind, injiziertes Ferritin aufzunehmen. Diese Substanz gelangt aus der Hämolymphe der Körperhöhle über das Gefäßsystem durch das Endothel der Kapillaren in die interzellulären Räume des Bindegewebes und von dort ausschließlich zu den Blasenzellen. Elektronenmikroskopisch zeigt sich, daß die Blasenzellen das Ferritin wahrscheinlich nur durch Endozytose im Bereich des Spaltenapparates aufnehmen. Das Ferritin wird nicht von der Zelle abgebaut, sondern auf engstem Raum, zum Teil in parakristalliner Anordnung, in Endosomen gespeichert.Die Fähigkeit der Blasenzellen, Fremdstoffe selektiv aufzunehmen, läßt vermuten, daß sie eine analoge Bedeutung für die Gastropoden haben wie die Pericardialzellen für Insekten oder das Retikuloendotheliale System für die Vertebraten.

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Globular cells of the ganglionic connective tissue sheath of Cepaea nemoralis L. (gastropoda, stylommatophora)

Summary Experimental investigations of the ganglionic connective tissue sheath of Cepaea nemoralis have shown, that — except for some blood cells — only the globular cells are capable for the uptake of injected Ferritin. This substance gets out of the hemolymph of the body cavity through the blood-vessels and capillaries, across the collagenous connective tissue into the cytoplasm of the globular cells. The globular cells take up the Ferritin by endocytosis, exclusively by the invagination of the Spaltenapparat. The Ferritin remaines accumulated in endosomes sometimes having a paracrystalline pattern. Because of their capability to incorporate and accumulate injected substances, the globular cells have been compared with the pericardial cells of insects respectively with the reticuloendothelial system of vertebrates.

Frau Prof. Dr. Angela Nolte danke ich für anregende Diskussion, Frau Dingerdissen und Herrn Kappert für technische Hilfe.     

Silver staining analysis on spermatozoa of Nucella lapillus (Gastropoda,Prosobranchia)

Summary

Sperm of Nucella lapillus was studied by electron microscopy, including the application of a cytochemical silver method. Using silver impregnation a dense precipitation of Ag granules in spermatocyte II nucleoli was seen over the fibrillar component and a slight one in the granular component. On longitudinal sections of the spermatozoon the results demonstrate that argyrophilic proteins are located in the external limiting zone of the acrosome in the anterior portion of the nucleus between the cytoplasmic and the nuclear membranes, in the posterior end of the nucleus and in the terminal portion of the middle region. These data indicate an affinity for silver in areas of the cytoplasm containing microtubules and in zones of transition.     

Different thermal conditions of lakes affect host–parasite systems: A case study of Viviparus contectus (Millet, 1813) and digenean trematodes

1. Thermal disturbance of aquatic ecosystems directly and/or indirectly affects interspecific interactions, including parasitism. Both hosts and parasites respond differently to environmental changes, thus, predicting how host–parasite systems behave under the influence of disturbance remains a challenge. The aim of the study was to check how the differences in thermal conditions of lakes affect life-history traits of hosts and the level of parasitism, using a Viviparus contectus–digenean trematodes model.
2. Overall, we examined 480 individuals of V. contectus collected from a thermally polluted lake (TPL) and a natural lake (NL). Host features, including body size and fecundity, as well as the prevalence and species richness of digenean trematodes in snail populations were investigated.
3. We found that V. contectus from the TPL were significantly larger, heavier, and females were more fertile than snails collected from the NL. A total of 20.4% of the collected snails were infected with digenean larvae. The species richness of parasites was twice as high in the NL compared to the TPL (six and three species, respectively). A significant difference in the percentage of snails infected with parasites was identified between both types of lakes, with a higher prevalence of V. contectus in the NL (31.3%) compared to the TPL (7.3%).
4. These results indicate that host–parasite systems follow the environmental changes in lakes due to thermal pollution by increasing fertility and metabolism rate of viviparid hosts and by decreasing the prevalence and diversity of digenean trematodes.

     

The digestive gland of Viviparus ater (Mollusca, Gastropoda, Prosobranchia): an ultrastructural and histochemical study

The digestive gland of Viviparus ater was studied using histochemical and ultrastructural methods. Only one cell type was observed in the tubule epithelium of the gland. The cells are involved in an endocytotic process mediated by clathrin-coated vesicles and in the intracellular digestion of food materials (thus they can be regarded as digestive cells). The different stages of digestion and exocytotic extrusion of residual bodies into the tubule lumen were shown by electron microscopy. Very few, small mucocytes are scattered among the digestive cells. Calcium concretions, glycogen-containing cells and endocrine cells are scattered in the area of connective tissue present among the digestive tubules.     

Die produktion von potamopyrgus jenkinsi (SMITH) (Gastropoda,prosobranchia) im bodensee

Two cohorts p. a. are identified. The mean annual biomass % MathType!MTEF!2!1!+-% feaafiart1ev1aaatCvAUfeBSjuyZL2yd9gzLbvyNv2CaerbuLwBLn% hiov2DGi1BTfMBaeXatLxBI9gBaerbd9wDYLwzYbItLDharqqtubsr% 4rNCHbGeaGqiVu0Je9sqqrpepC0xbbL8F4rqqrFfpeea0xe9Lq-Jc9% vqaqpepm0xbba9pwe9Q8fs0-yqaqpepae9pg0FirpepeKkFr0xfr-x% fr-xb9adbaqaaeGaciGaaiaabeqaamaabaabaaGcbaWaa0aaaeaaci% GGcbaaaaaa!36C6!\[\overline \operatorname{B} \] is 88 mg fresh weight/ l00 cm². The ratio production/% MathType!MTEF!2!1!+-% feaafiart1ev1aaatCvAUfeBSjuyZL2yd9gzLbvyNv2CaerbuLwBLn% hiov2DGi1BTfMBaeXatLxBI9gBaerbd9wDYLwzYbItLDharqqtubsr% 4rNCHbGeaGqiVu0Je9sqqrpepC0xbbL8F4rqqrFfpeea0xe9Lq-Jc9% vqaqpepm0xbba9pwe9Q8fs0-yqaqpepae9pg0FirpepeKkFr0xfr-x% fr-xb9adbaqaaeGaciGaaiaabeqaamaabaabaaGcbaWaa0aaaeaaci% GGcbaaaaaa!36C6!\[\overline \operatorname{B} \] is P/% MathType!MTEF!2!1!+-% feaafiart1ev1aaatCvAUfeBSjuyZL2yd9gzLbvyNv2CaerbuLwBLn% hiov2DGi1BTfMBaeXatLxBI9gBaerbd9wDYLwzYbItLDharqqtubsr% 4rNCHbGeaGqiVu0Je9sqqrpepC0xbbL8F4rqqrFfpeea0xe9Lq-Jc9% vqaqpepm0xbba9pwe9Q8fs0-yqaqpepae9pg0FirpepeKkFr0xfr-x% fr-xb9adbaqaaeGaciGaaiaabeqaamaabaabaaGcbaWaa0aaaeaaci% GGcbaaaaaa!36C6!\[\overline \operatorname{B} \] = 2,51 for the first and P/% MathType!MTEF!2!1!+-% feaafiart1ev1aaatCvAUfeBSjuyZL2yd9gzLbvyNv2CaerbuLwBLn% hiov2DGi1BTfMBaeXatLxBI9gBaerbd9wDYLwzYbItLDharqqtubsr% 4rNCHbGeaGqiVu0Je9sqqrpepC0xbbL8F4rqqrFfpeea0xe9Lq-Jc9% vqaqpepm0xbba9pwe9Q8fs0-yqaqpepae9pg0FirpepeKkFr0xfr-x% fr-xb9adbaqaaeGaciGaaiaabeqaamaabaabaaGcbaWaa0aaaeaaci% GGcbaaaaaa!36C6!\[\overline \operatorname{B} \] = 3,67 for the second cohort. The actual net production of the total population is 7% of potential net production.

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Die produktion von potamopyrgus jenkinsi (SMITH) (Gastropoda, prosobranchia) im bodensee

Zusammenfassung P. jenkinsi bringt jährlich zwei Generationen hervor, deren wahrscheinliche Verknüpfung untereinander in Abb. 3 dargestellt ist. Für fie Produktions berechnungen wurde eine etwas vereinfachte Vorstellung zugrundegelegt (Tab. 1), nach der die getrennten Abundanz- und Biommasse-Kurven der Abb. 4 berechnet wurden.Aus Geburtsraten und Beständen der maturen Tiere konnte die Zahl der Neonatae errechnet werden, die in jede Generation eingeht. Mit diesen Daten und mit denen der Abb. 4 wurde über Allen-Kurven die Produktion bestimmt. Die Resultate sind in Tab. 2 zusammengefaßt.

     

Loss of abnormal spindle-like,microcephaly-associated (Aspm) disrupts female folliculogenesis in mice during maturation and aging

The abnormal spindle-like, microcephaly-associated (ASPM) gene is a causative gene of autosomal recessive primary microcephaly (MCPH) 5 in humans, which is characterized by a reduction in brain volume. It was previously reported that truncated Aspm proteins in transgenic mice caused major defects in the germline, a severe reduction in ovary weight and the number of follicles accompanied by reduced fertility. However; it remains unknown whether a loss of Aspm induces abnormal ovarian function, resulting in female infertility. In order to assess the ovary function, we examined vaginal smear cytology from the age of 7 weeks to 100 weeks in CAG-mediated Cre-loxP conditional Aspm^-/- knockout mice and control female mice. In addition, we evaluated the ovarian size, fibrosis ratio and the number of follicles (primordial, primary, secondary, antral and atretic follicles) in mice from 15 weeks to 100 weeks old by image analyses. Mann-Whitney U-test was used for statistical analysis. The size of the ovary was significantly reduced in Aspm knockout mice at 15–20 weeks, 40–50 weeks and 70–80 weeks old compared with the control mice. Furthermore, at all stages, we found a severe decrease in the number of developing follicles at 10–15 weeks, 40–50 weeks and 70–80 weeks old, accompanied by disrupted cyclic changes of vaginal cytology and an aberrant upregulation of Foxo3, Kitl, and Lhcgr in Aspm knockout female. These results suggested that Aspm might play an important role in the folliculogenesis and estrous cyclicity of the postnatal ovary during maturation and aging.     

Miocene land snails from Belchatow (Central Poland), I. Cyclophoridae,Pomatiasidae (Gastropoda Prosobranchia)

Three calcareous intercalations within lignite sequences in the open-cast mine Belchatów (51°15’N, 19°20’E) yield rich land snail faunas of over 40 species. Fission-track ages of these faunas (Be?-A and Bel-B) range from 18.1 ± 1.7 Ma to 16.5 ± 1.3 Ma, though the Be?-C level lies below the dated tuffitic intercalations and seems to be older. Five species of Cyclophoridae and Pomatiasidae are described including two new species:Procydotella?glazeki n. sp. andCaspicyclotus belchatoviensis n. sp.     

Zur Feinstruktur der Maxillarnephridien von Scutigerella immaculata Newport (Symphyla,Myriapoda)

Zusammenfassung Die Feinstruktur der Maxillarnephridien von Scutigerella immaculata Newport mit ihren drei Abschnitten Sacculus, Tubulus und Ausführgang wurde untersucht. Die Zellen des Sacculus sind typische Podocyten, an denen eine Ultrafiltration ablaufen kann. Möglicherweise wird die Filtration durch einen den Sacculus umgebenden Muskel unterstützt. Die Zellen des Tubulus zeigen basale Einfaltungen und im proximalen Teil auch Mikrovilli. Sowohl im Tubulus als auch im Ausführgang, dessen Zellen ebenfalls basale Einfaltungen aufweisen, werden Reabsorptionsprozesse vermutet.

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The fine structure of the maxillary kidney of the garden centipede, Scutigerella immaculata Newport (Symphyla, Myriapoda)

Summary The fine structure of the maxillary kidney of Scutigerella immaculata Newport (Symphyla) has been investigated. It may be compared with segmental organs of other Arthropoda having an end-sac which forms a primary urine by ultrafiltration. The filtration may be supported by a muscle surrounding the end-sac. The tubular part of the nephridium and the efferent duct show structures which may be involved in reabsorption.

     

Life cycle and production of Hydrobia acuta Drap. (Gastropoda: Prosobranchia) in a hypersaline coastal lagoon

The life cycle and annual production of Hydrobia acuta was studied in a hypersaline lagoon (s = 39 in summer), forming a part of solar salt works. Quantitative random samples were taken at regular intervals over a period of 15 months using a corer, and snails collected were counted and measured. Weight and biomass was calculated from a length-weight relationship and from measurements of ash content. H. acuta was a strictly annual species in the study lagoon. Recruitment takes place over a brief period in May and June, after which the breeding population dies. Growth of the new generation was slow during summer, probably due to the unfavourably high salinity. A period of rapid growth took place in autumn coinciding with a drop in salinity caused by rainfall. In winter Hydrobia hibernated by burrowing deeply into the sediment. Growth recommenced in spring when the lagoon was reflooded, but by this time the number of survivors was low.The maximum density of snails was 6 000 m^–2 and maximum biomass 500 mg organic dry wt · m^–2. Annual cohort production was estimated as 786 mg organic dry wt · m^–2 · a^–1. These figures are low compared to other studies on hydrobiid snails, and for production in inland waters, but the value for annual P/B = 4.5 is typical for a univoltine species. The relevance of the results to foraging by wading birds (the main consumers), is discussed.     

Light and electron microscopy studies of the oesophagus and crop epithelium in Aplysia depilans (Mollusca, Opisthobranchia)

The oesophagus and crop epithelium of Aplysia depilans consist in a single layer of columnar cells with apical microvilli, and some of them also possess cilia. Cell membrane invaginations, small vesicles, multivesicular bodies and many dense lysosomes were observed in the apical region of the cytoplasm. In most cells, a very large lipid droplet was observed above the nucleus and a smaller one was frequently found below the nucleus; glycogen granules are also present. Considering these ultrastructural features, it seems that these cells collect nutritive substances from the lumen by endocytosis, digest them in the apical lysosomes and store the resulting products. The cell bodies of mucus secreting flask-shaped cells are subepithelial in the oesophagus and intraepithelial in the crop. Histochemistry methods showed that the secretion stored in these cells contains acidic polysaccharides. Secretory vesicles with thin electron-dense filaments scattered in an electron-lucent background fill most of these cells, and the basal nucleus is surrounded by dilated rough endoplasmic reticulum cisternae containing small tubular structures. Considering the relatively low number of secretory cells, mucus production cannot be high. Moreover, since protein secreting cells were not observed in either oesophagus or crop, extracellular digestion in the lumen of these anterior segments of the digestive tract most probably depend on the enzymes secreted by the salivary and digestive glands.     

Elektronenmikroskopische Untersuchungen zur Feinstruktur der atypischen und typischen Spermatozoen von Opalia crenimarginata (Gastropoda,Prosobranchia)

Zusammenfassung Die atypischen Spermatozoen von Opalia crenimarginata bestehen aus Treibplatte, Verbindungsstück und Ansatzstück, an das sich die typischen Spermatozoen in großer Zahl ansetzen. Die Treibplatte wird vornehmlich durch Fibrillen gebildet, die eine sehr regelmäßige Anordnung aufweisen. Ihre Zahl beläuft sich auf ungefähr 3000. Sie zeigen elektronenmikroskopisch das bekannte Strukturmuster von einem zentralen und neun peripheren Füamentpaaren. Ihre Centriolen sind hohlzylinderförmig gebaut. In der Treibplatte finden sich ferner strukturlose granuläre Elemente und langgestreckte Mitochondrien vom Crista-Typ, die auch in den anderen Abschnitten vorkommen. Im Verbindungs- und Ansatzstück treten endoplasmatische Kanäle unterschiedlicher Größe sowie im Ansatzstück zahlreiche Vesiculae und deutoplasmatische Schollen auf. Letztere sind von einer Membran umgeben und setzen sich aus dichten, wahrscheinlich fädigen Strukturelementen zusammen.Die typischen Spermatozoen sind durchschnittlich 90 lang und bestehen aus Acrosom, Kopf, Mittelstück und Schwanzstück. Das Acrosom wird von zwei Membranen und einem von diesen eingeschlossenen Zapfen gebildet. Es verankert das typische Spermatozoon in der Wand der atypischen Samenzelle. Der Kopf ist von dichten, granulären Strukturen erfüllt. Das proximale Centriol liegt in einer kanalartigen Vertiefung des Kopfstückes. Spiralig um den Achsenfaden gewundene Mitochondrien bilden das Mittelstück. Das Schwanzstück zeigt ebenfalls einen Feinbau aus einem zentralen und neun peripheren Filamentpaaren. Doppelbildungen typischer Spermatozoen können gelegentlich auftreten.     

Oogenesis in Acerentomon gallicum Jonescu (Protura)

Summary Late stages of oogenesis in Acerentomon gallicum Jonescu have been studied by means of light and electron microscopy. Each of the two ovaries of this species consists of a single panoistic ovariole. Late previtellogenic and early vitellogenic oocytes are enclosed in an electron opaque layer, the so-called primary sheath. The precursors for this sheath are most likely synthesized by follicle cells. The yolk develops through autosynthesis, with free ribosomes, dictyosomes and lamellar bodies being involved in the process. Mature yolk spheres contain proteins and polysaccharides. Besides the organelles that take part in vitellogenesis, mitochondria and cisternal stacks of the rough endoplasmic reticulum occur in the ooplasm.This work was supported by Government Problem Grant ii-1.3.13     

Locomotion of the filiform sperm of Littorina (Gastropoda,Prosobranchia)

Summary The filiform sperm of Littorina sitkana swims effectively in sea water and more viscous fluids, overcoming the problems of a non-uniform flagellar beat with an unusual mechanism, which involves three main events: (1) the sperm rotates anti-clockwise (looking from tail to head); then (2) stops rotating and stiffens itself to form a screw-shape, with the tail being held perpendicular to the middle piece, and finally; (3) reverses its rotation and propels itself forward in a clockwise spiral. The average velocity of sperm is approximately 185 ms with a rotational frequency of 24 revs. The mechanism of propulsion may involve two kinetic centers at opposite ends of the sperm, which coordinate their movements to produce anti-clockwise rotation, stationary twisting, or clockwise rotation, in a manner reminiscent of spirochaetes. Littorina sperm also exhibit slower methods of propulsion including swimming backwards (tail first) at 18 m, and gliding at about 30 m.The adaptive significance of the rapid propulsion is not obvious, because Littorina copulate and fertilize internally and at each stage in the transfer there are external aids to sperm transport, such as ciliary action (oviduct) and muscular expulsion (bursa and seminal receptacle). The filiform shape, however, is well-adapted for long-term storage in the female body. These points are discussed.