Keratin-like fibres in the hemichordate Rhabdopleura compacta

Summary The coenecium of Rhabdopleura is a tube that surrounds the zooid. It is secreted by the cephalic shield of the zooid and contains three sorts of fibres in an electron lucent matrix. One of the fibre types contains a double helix of fine fibrils. Preliminary histochemical investigations suggest that the fibres may be keratinous.I wish to thank Professor J. Z. Young F.R.S. for enthusiastic advice and encouragement. Dr. R. Bellairs generously provided the facilities for electron microscopy. Dr. A. J. Southward and Dr. A. Stebbing of the Plymouth Marine Biological Laboratory generously gave of their time and expertise, and helped me to obtain and identify the specimens. Dr. R. Willis and Miss Marion Dennison assisted with the preliminary stereoscopic electron microscopy. Mr. R. Moss gave excellent technical and photographic assistance.