THE COELOMOCYTES OF HERMODICE CARUNCULATA (POLYCHAETA: AMPHINOMIDAE) IN RELATION TO DIGESTION AND EXCRETION

Abstract

In Hermodice carunculata the anterior intestine is the part of the gut most active in the digestion of food. Digestion involves secretion by two types of cell and probably also intracellular digestion by invading coelomocytes. Amoebocytic cells appear to be active in the absorption of food in both the anterior and posterior intestine. Disposal of particulate waste also concerns amoebocytic cells which accumulate materials in a band along the midventral line of the body wall and in the middorsal line of the eversible buccal cavity and pharynx. From these bands small masses of particulate material are periodically shed.