Vascular Follicle System of the Sea Cucumber, Stichopus moebii
Herreid II C, Defesi C, Larussa V. 1977. Vascular Follicle System of the Sea Cucumber, Stichopus moebii. Journal of Morphology. 154(1):19-37
Sea cucumbers, Stichopus moebii, have a unique specialization of their blood vascular system: The vascular follicle network is composed of numerous small chambers (follicles) interconnected by minute vessels. The fine structure of the follicle system was studied in detail. The follicles are composed of several layers: an external ciliated epithelium, neuromuscular layer and basement membrane, connective tissue, and a fenestrated endothelial lining. The folliclelumen is filled with coelomocytes and necrotic cells surrounding particles of iron. The follicle may function in coelomocyte production and destruction.
- Type
- Journal Article
- Authors
- Herreid II, Clyde; Defesi, Charles; Larussa, Vincent
- Units
- SFCN
- Keywords
- Anatomy, Blood vessels, Circulatory system, Coelomic epithelium, Epithelial, respiratory