A Cytoplasmic Fine-Structure Study

Anderson, O.

Although fossil radiolarian skeletons have been intensively studied, relatively little fine-structure research has been done on cytoplasmic morphology and skeleton deposition which are of interest to micropaleontologists. The fine structure of endoplasm, ectoplasm and the central capsular membrane of a skeletonless and a skeleton-bearing species is presented with particular attention to the symbionts, perforations in the central capsular membrane, and mode of food gathering and digestion. A cytochemical examination of the proximal ectoplasm layer (assimilative layer) confirms that this is a region of digestive activity. The deposition of skeleton within cytoplasmic sheaths, which may act as a template for skeletal morphology, is examined and the significance of these findings for radiolarian physiology and skeleton architecture is discussed.

A Cytoplasmic Fine-Structure Study

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