Summary
Histological and cytological composition are similar in the rectal caeca of both studied species. Internal epithelium is composed of mucocytes and of banal cells. Besides glycogen, these cells contain in M. glacialis neutral mucopolysaccharides associated with proteins, while in C. tenuispina, the granules contain acidic carboxyled and sulfated mucopolysaccharides also associated with proteins. The external epithelium of C. tenuispina presents, besides banal cells, granular secretory cells with proteic content.
Special attention has been payed to the ultrastructure of the apical pole of the internal banal cells. One notices numerous microvilli and a characteristic central flagellum. Moreover, one frequently observes pinocytic formations as well as—more rarely—phagocytosis. The rectal diverticula would thus be, in the Asteriidae, real digestive organs provided with a great capacity of absorption and intracellular digestion.
The basal pole of the internal banal cells contains from place to place typical β-cytomembranes. Transfers of substances to the coelom can occur at that level.
Résumé
Dans les caecums rectaux des deux espèces étudiées, stratification tissulaire et composition cellulaire sont semblables. L'épithélium interne se compose de mucocytes et de cellules banales. Outre du glycogène, ces dernières renferment chez M. glacialis des grains de mucopolysaccharides neutres associés à des protéines tandis que chez C. tenuispina, les granules contiennent des mucopolysaccharides acides carboxylés et sulfatés également associés à des protéines. L'épithélium externe de C. tenuispina présente, outre des cellules banales, des cellules glandulaires à contenu protéique.
Une attention particulière a été apportée à l'ultrastructure du pôle apical des cellules banales internes. On y remarque de nombreuses microvillosités et un flagelle central caractéristique. De plus, on observe très fréquemment des formations pinocytaires ainsi que plus rarement de la phagocytose. Les diverticules seraient donc, chez les Asteriidae, des organes digestifs à part entière se caractérisant par un grand pouvoir d'absorption et une digestion intracellulaire.
Enfin, le pôle basal des cellules banales internes, très contourné, contient, par endroit, des β-cytomembranes typiques. Il est possible qu'à ce niveau aient lieu des transferts de substances vers le coelome.
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Madame Klinkert, Mademoiselle Bricourt et Monsieur Harray ont collaboré à la réalisation technique de ce travail. Nous les en remercions grandement. — Le séjour à la station zoologique de Naples a eu lieu grâce à l'appui financier du Ministère de l'Education Nationale et de la Culture.
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Jangoux, M. La structure fine des caecums rectaux de deux Asteriidae: Marthasterias glacialis (L) et Coscinasterias tenuispina (Lam) (Echinodermata, Asteroidea). Z.Zellforsch 128, 366–384 (1972). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00306976
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00306976