Gross anatomy and fine structure of the gut of the marine mysid shrimp Mysis stenolepis Smith
The structure of the digestive tract of Mysis stenolepis was studied by light and electron microscopy. The cardiac portion of the stomach is armed with dorsal, lateral, and ventral chitinous ridges. The pyloric stomach is divided by ridges and stiff hairs into an upper chamber through which most of the food passes and a lower chamber containing only fluid and fine particles. The hepatopancreas consists of five paired lobes that open into the junction of the stomach and midgut in such a way that only the fluid and fine particles from the ventral chamber of the stomach enter its tubules. Other material passes from the dorsal chamber to the midgut and is eventually voided. The fine structure of the hepatopancreas and other parts of the gut are described.