The Integumentary Mucous Secretions of the Ophiuroid Ophiocomina Nigra

Abstract

The general histology of the integument of the ophiuroid Ophiocomina nigra is outlined. Two types of integumentary mucous glands are described in detail for the first time. The first is a multicellular gland, the basal end of which is located deep within the calcareous layer of the integument. The source of the secretion is a variable number of nuclei embedded in a common cytoplasmic mass filled with fine basiphil granules. These cells contributed their secretion to a duct which pursues a tortuous course through the integument. The ducts frequently branch and anastomose so that any one exit pore may extrude mucin derived from a number of separate, polynuclear sources. The structure so formed is, thus, a massive, multicellular gland. Histochemical studies demonstrate that the mucin is a highly sulphated acid mucopolysaccharide. The second type of mucus-secreting unit is a unicellular gland usually located superficially in the calcareous layer or sometimes restricted to the epidermis and distributed universally over the body. The secretion product of these cells is shown histochemically to be a simple acid mucopolysaccharide. The mucin secreted by the tube-foot glands is demonstrated also to be a highly sulphated acid mucopolysaccharide.The function of these secretions has been investigated to some extent. The massive glands secrete only under conditions of alarm and it is suggested that this mucus serves as a defence against predation. The unicellular glands secrete in a periodic fashion correlated with the act of feeding. This secretion is probably utilized in a suspension-feeding mechanism.