ISSN:
1432-0878
Keywords:
Skin
;
Cephalopods
;
Chromatophores
;
Ultrastructure
Source:
Springer Online Journal Archives 1860-2000
Topics:
Biology
,
Medicine
Notes:
Summary Rapid, physiological color changes seen in the skin of cephalopods are due to a unique anatomical system composed of chromatophore organs and iridophores. The morphology and ultrastructure of the chromatophores was studied in the squids Loligo pealii Lesueur and Loligo opalescens Berry. A three-dimensional model of a brown chromatophore was reconstructed from serial sections for the electron microscope. The chromatophore organ is composed of a central nucleated pigment cell, 10–30 obliquely striated muscle cells (radially arranged on the equator of the pigment cell), axons, Schwann cells, and sheath cells. The pigment cell consists of a central aggregation of pigment granules and surrounding peripheral cytoplasmic compartments. These regions are incompletely separated by an electron-dense, sac-like structure, the pigment container. Proximal portions of a muscle cell contact the pigment cell in regions called myo-chromatophore junctions. Neuromuscular and myo-muscular junctions are also present. The results presented are discussed in terms of previous morphological and physiological studies of chromatophores.
Type of Medium:
Electronic Resource
URL:
http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/BF00306786
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