Lateral line sensitivity in free-swimming toadfishOpsanus tau

The lateral line organs of the sea eel consist of canal and pit organs which are different in function. The former is a low frequency vibration detector whereas the latter functions as an ion receptor as well as a mechano receptor.The fine structure of the sensory epithelia of both organs were studied by means of ordinary transmission electron microscope, high voltage electron microscope and of surface scanning electron microscope.The sensory cells of the canal organ are polarized in front-caudal direction and those of the pit organ are polarized in dorso-ventral direction. The sensory epithelia of both organs have thinner surface coats compared to the surrounding ordinary epithelial cells, which have very thick fuzzy coatings on the apical surface.

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Scanning Electron Microscopy of Fish Scales as an Adjunctive Aid in Speciation

Proceedings, annual meeting, Electron Microscopy Society of America ◽

10.1017/s0424820100095236 ◽

1972 ◽

Vol 30 ◽

pp. 394-395

Author(s):

Edward D. DeLamater ◽

Walter R. Courtenay ◽

Cecil Whitaker

Keyword(s):

Electron Microscopy ◽

Scanning Electron Microscopy ◽

Lateral Line ◽

Species Differences ◽

Fish Scale ◽

Fish Scales ◽

Anterior Border ◽

The University ◽

Multiple Holes ◽

Scanning Electron

Comparative scanning electron microscopy studies of fish scales of different orders, families, genera and species within genera have demonstrated differences which warrant elaboration. These differences in detail appear to be sufficient to act as “fingerprints”, at least, for family differences. To date, the lateral line scales have been primarily studied. These demonstrate differences in the lateral line canals; the pattern of ridging with or without secondary protuberances along the edges; the pattern of spines or their absence on the anterior border of the scales; the presence or absence of single or multiple holes on the ventral and dorsal sides of the lateral line canal covers. The distances between the ridges in the pattern appear likewise to be important.A statement of fish scale structure and a comparison of family and species differences will be presented.The authors wish to thank Dr. Donald Marzalek and Mr. Wallace Charm of the Marine and Atmospheric Laboratory of the University of Miami and Dr. Sheldon Moll and Dr. Richard Turnage of AMR for their exhaustive help in these preliminary studies.

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The time course of calcium deposition in shells of the barnacle (Balanus amphititre amphititre) during cyprid-juvenile metamorphosis

Proceedings, annual meeting, Electron Microscopy Society of America ◽

10.1017/s0424820100168621 ◽

1994 ◽

Vol 52 ◽

pp. 178-179

Author(s):

Nancy R. Wallace ◽

Craig C. Freudenrich ◽

Karl Wilbur ◽

Peter Ingram ◽

Ann LeFurgey

Keyword(s):

Electron Microscopy ◽

Scanning Electron Microscopy ◽

Time Course ◽

Vertical Plane ◽

Mantle Cavity ◽

Qualitative Assessment ◽

Calcium Deposition ◽

Free Swimming ◽

Freeze Dried ◽

Scanning Electron

The morphology of balanomorph barnacles during metamorphosis from the cyprid larval stage to the juvenile has been examined by light microscopy and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The free-swimming cyprid attaches to a substrate, rotates 90° in the vertical plane, molts, and assumes the adult shape. The resulting metamorph is clad in soft cuticle and has an adult-like appearance with a mantle cavity, thorax with cirri, and incipient shell plates. At some time during the development from cyprid to juvenile, the barnacle begins to mineralize its shell, but it is not known whether calcification occurs before, during, or after ecdysis. To examine this issue, electron probe x-ray microanalysis (EPXMA) was used to detect calcium in cyprids and juveniles at various times during metamorphosis.Laboratory-raised, free-swimming cyprid larvae were allowed to settle on plastic coverslips in culture dishes of seawater. The cyprids were observed with a dissecting microscope, cryopreserved in liquid nitrogen-cooled liquid propane at various times (0-24 h) during metamorphosis, freeze dried, rotary carbon-coated, and examined with scanning electron microscopy (SEM). EPXMA dot maps were obtained in parallel for qualitative assessment of calcium and other elements in the carapace, wall, and opercular plates.

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