Structural differences between the resting eggs of Brachionus plicatilis and Brachionus rotundiformis (Rotifera, Brachionidae) : an electron microscopic study

Surface topography and layering of resting eggs of Brachionus plicatilis and B. rotundiformis are described, based on scanning and transmission electron microscope studies. In B. plicatilis, the resting eggs are spherical with smooth wavy ridges in the surface, whereas these ridges are small and con...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Hydrobiologia 1996-02, Vol.318 (3), p.219-223
Main Authors: MUNUSWAMY, N, HAGIWARA, A, MURUGAN, G, HIRAYAMA, K, DUMONT, H. J
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Biological and medical sciences
Brachionidae
Brachionus plicatilis
Brachionus rotundiformis
Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology
Invertebrates
Less representative or incertae sedis groups: acanthocephala, chaetognatha, gnathostomulida, lophophoria, merostomata, mesozoa, myxozoa, nematorhyncha, pararthropoda, placozoa, priapuloidea, prochordata, pycnogonida, rotifera
Marine
Rotifera
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Summary:Surface topography and layering of resting eggs of Brachionus plicatilis and B. rotundiformis are described, based on scanning and transmission electron microscope studies. In B. plicatilis, the resting eggs are spherical with smooth wavy ridges in the surface, whereas these ridges are small and condensed in B. rotundiformis. The distribution of pores on the egg surface clearly distinguishes the two species. Ultrastructure of the egg membranes of both species varies greatly with regard to size, shape and sculpturing of each membrane. The alveolar and dense sublayers, which constitute the outer egg membrane (S1) are very thick (10-12 mu m) in B. rotundiformis compared to B. plicatilis (4-5 mu m). Thus, each species has a characteristic surface and membrane architecture. The functional roles of these membranes, during the resting phase of rotifers, are discussed.
ISSN:0018-8158
1573-5117
DOI:10.1007/bf00016683