Presence of anisotropic (birefringent) crystalline structures in embryonic and juvenile monogonont rotifers |
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Authors: | Wallace Robert L. |
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Affiliation: | (1) Department of Biology, Ripon College, 54971-0248 Ripon, WI, USA |
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Abstract: | A systematic survey for the presence of birefringent (anisotropic) structures in rotifers was undertaken. Several common features of rotifers exhibit anisotropism (e.g. trophi & muscles). However, unusual anisotropic crystalline structures (ACS) were found in late stage embryos (i.e. possessing eyespots and trophi, and showing movement). ACS were found in 18 of 26 species of monogonont rotifers (comprising 11 genera of 5 families). In Sinantherina socialis, ACS were present in the lower gut as compact, spherical masses of minute crystals that slowly broke apart and disappeared within 20 hours of hatching. Although several authors have described the existence of refractive bodies in rotifers, to my knowledge this is the first report of their birefringent properties. |
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Keywords: | anisotropic crystals anatomy birefringent crystals embryo gut juvenile Monogononta polarizing filters polarizing microscopy Rotifera |
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