Envenomation by the box-jellyfish Chironex fleckeri: how nematocysts discharge |
| |
Authors: | Endean R Rifkin J F Daddow L Y M |
| |
Institution: | (1) Department of Zoology, University of Queensland, St Lucia, 4072 Brisbane, Queensland, Australia |
| |
Abstract: | The capsules of isolated mastigophores of C. fleckeri were impermeable to water and neutral red dye. After air drying, ca 30% discharged, most everting fully, when exposed to distilled water or sodium citrate but in a seawater medium only partial discharge was induced. The capsular contents of discharging mastigophores dyed strongly red with neutral red and showed metachromasy with toluidine blue. Electron micrographs revealed hexagonal arrays of granules ca 12 nm in diam. Evidence supports the view that a polymerization of the capsular material initiates tubule eversion and that complete eversion involves osmotic inflow of water and sustained compression of the capsular contents. |
| |
Keywords: | Chironex fleckeri nematocysts mastigophores discharge |
本文献已被 SpringerLink 等数据库收录! |
|