Volume and morphology changes of a bdelloid rotifer species (Macrotrachela quadricornifera) during anhydrobiosis
Articolo
Data di Pubblicazione:
2008
Citazione:
Volume and morphology changes of a bdelloid rotifer species (Macrotrachela quadricornifera) during anhydrobiosis / C. Ricci, M. Caprioli, D. Fontaneto, G. Melone. - In: JOURNAL OF MORPHOLOGY. - ISSN 0362-2525. - 269:2(2008), pp. 233-239.
Abstract:
Following a study on the changes occurring in a bdelloid species (Macrotrachela quadricornifera, Rotifera,
Bdelloidea) when entering anhydrobiosis, we
investigated the changes in morphology, including weight and volume during the transition from the active hydrated to the dormant anhydrobiotic state by scanning
electron microscopy, confocal microscopy and light microscopy. We compared sizes and morphologies of hydrated extended, hydrated contracted and anhydrobiotic specimens. Bdelloid musculature is defined: longitudinal
muscles are contracted in the hydrated contracted animal (head and foot are retracted inside the trunk), but
appear loose in the anhydrobiotic animal. When anhydrobiotic, M. quadricornifera appears much smaller in size, with a volume reduction of about 60% of the hydrated volume, and its internal organization undergoes remarkable modifications. Internal body cavities, clearly distinguishable
in the hydrated extended and contracted
specimens, are no longer visible in the anhydrobiotic specimen. Concomitantly, M. quadricornifera loses more than 95% of its weight when anhydrobiotic; this is more
than expected from the volume reduction data and could indicate the presence of space-filling molecular species in the dehydrated animal. We estimate that the majority of
body mass loss and volume reduction can be ascribed to the water loss from the body cavity during desiccation.
Tipologia IRIS:
01 - Articolo su periodico
Keywords:
rotifers ; desiccation ; tun ; water loss ;
SEM ; confocal microscopy;
Elenco autori:
C. Ricci, M. Caprioli, D. Fontaneto, G. Melone
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