Audfinn Tjønneland

Ultrastructure of the heart muscle cells of the cuttlefish Rossia macrosoma (Delle Chiaje) (Mollusca: Cephalopoda)

SummaryThe muscle cells of the ventricle, the branchial heart and the branchial heart appendages of Rossia macrosoma (Delle Chiaje) are studied. The ventricle myocardium has three muscle layers, while the other two organs exhibit a loose arrangement of muscle cells. The muscle cells of the ventricle, the branchial heart and the branchial heart appendages are similar in structure. The nuclei are surrounded by myofibrils. In the myofibrils A-, I- and discontinuous Z-bands are seen. The diameters of the thick filaments are 300–400Å, their length varies from 1.7 to 3.9 μ. Thin filaments have a diameter of approximately 85Å. The ratio between thick and thin filaments is roughly 1 to 11.The SR runs mostly as a longitudinal network within the myofibrils. A few short T-tubules are observed in the Z-regions. Peripheral and internal couplings exist. The latter are few in number.Intercalated discs are small and rarely observed. They have been found in all three organs. A difference in the function of these organs is not reflected in the ultrastructure of the intercalated discs. These discs are often of the interdigitating type with interfibrillar junctions and unspecialized regions. Peripheral couplings are seen at the unspecialized regions. The intercalar surfaces of the muscle cells “shoulder off” into the lateral surface, and the transition between the two surfaces is not a sharp one. Attachment plaques are found scattered over the whole sarcolemma.

The crustacean heart ultrastructure and its bearing upon the position of the isopods in eumalacostracan phylogeny

The present paper discusses the use of myocardial ultrastructure, and its merits, in studies of crustacean phylogeny. It is argued that different modifications of the heart do not affect the membrane systems of the myofibers and that the membrane systems are independent of size and/or adaptation of the species. Finally, the phylogenetic implications of the membrane systems are considered. Using the myocardial membrane systems in addition to the cephalothorax (carapace), compound eyes, respiratory system and heart anatomy, a new phylogenetic arrangement of the larger eumalacostracan orders (Anaspidacea, Amphipoda, Cumacea, Decapoda, Euphausiacea, Isopoda, Mysidacea, Tanaidacea) is suggested. The isopods are regarded as a sister group to the other eumalacostracans.

Evolutionary aspects of the arthropod heart

Evolution has led to changes in the gross anatomy of the arthropod hearts. Changes are also seen in the ultrastructural organization of the cardiomyofiber. Thus the myofilament organization and the membrane systems (T‐system and SR) vary within both Chelicerata, Crustacea and Uniramia. Yet, the variation is not haphazard, but constitutes a pattern which cannot be deduced from the gross anatomy. In the three taxa the evolutionary tendency seems to be towards a more strict sarcomeral organization of the myofilaments. This is due to parallelism. The organization of the membrane systems and the spatial relation of the interior couplings are not identical for all arthropods. However, no variations has so far been detected within one and the same order, despite differences in adaptation and size. These systems are conservative and it is suggested that they could be useful in studies of arthropod phylogeny.

The membrane systems of the cardiac muscle cell of Cirolana borealis Lilljeborg (Crustacea, Isopoda)

SummaryThe membrane systems of the cardiac muscle cell of the isopod Cirolana borealis Lilljeborg are described. The sarcolemma invaginates at the level of the Z band, forming transverse tubules. Narrow tubules branch off in a longitudinal direction from these transverse and radially arranged TZ-tubules forming a transverse collar at each A-I level, where dyadic and triadic junctions are formed with the sarcoplasmic reticulum. Two different orientations of the coupling discs have been detected in the supercontracted sarcomere, and this observation has been discussed. Adjacent myofibrils are separated by a double layer of sarcoplasmic reticulum.

The Heart Ultrastructure in Two Species of Pycnogonids, and its Phylogenetic Implications

The heart of the pycnogonids Nymphon (Chaetonymphon) macronyx G. O. Sars and Boreonymphon cf. abyssorum Norman is pseudotubular and lacks an epicardium and an endocardium. The body wall forms the roof over the heart lumen. The myocardium is innvervated, and forms the lateral walls of the heart. Myofibres are absent in the midventral floor. This part is formed by cells of the horizontal septum attached to the gut complex. The myofibres are short. Interdigitating intercalated discs have not been observed, but lateral overlaps are common. Z‐, I‐ and A‐bands are seen in the sarcomere. The 2‐bands are diffuse and irregular. The sarcolemma invaginates and forms a sparse system of clefts; a poorly developed T‐system is indicated. Its presence supports the view that a T‐system is inherent in the arthropod myocardium. Couplings are not related to any specific sarcomere band level. It is implied that the thin‐walled pseudotubular heart in pycnogonids is a result of a reduction, and that it functions more like a channel than a heart.

Heart ultrastructure in Lepidurus arcticus pallas (Crustacea, Branchiopoda, Notostraca)

SummaryThe heart of Lepidurus arcticus consists of an epicardium and a single layer of strongly polarized myocardial cells, 10–50 μm thick, with the myofibrillar part facing the epicardium. The Z-bands are diffuse and some Z-material forms attachment plaques. Relaxed sarcomeres show a hexagonal arrangement of thick filaments and 6 thin filaments in orbit, but filaments often diverge in their orientation.The sarcolemma invaginates from both the epicardial and the endocardial side of the cell, forming clefts and T-tubules. The sarcoplasmic reticulum is loosely reticular, cisternae associate with sarcolemma to form large and typical peripheral and interior couplings. The latter are of the “button-to-button” type and they tend to be located at the A-I level.

The membrane systems of the cardiac muscle cell of Tmetonyx cicada O. Fabricius (Crustacea, Amphipoda).

SummaryThe membrane systems of the cardiac muscle cell of the amphipod Tmetonyx cicada (O. Fabricius) are described. The sarcolemma invaginates and forms a transverse network of tubules at the level of the Z band. Narrow longitudinal tubules branch from the network and connect to another transverse network of tubules at the H band level, where dyadic and triadic junctions are formed with the sarcoplasmic reticulum. Adjacent myofibrils are normally separated by a well developed double layer of the sarcoplasmic reticulum. In areas where the myofibrils closely approach the outer sarcolemma, peripheral couplings have been found at the level of the H band.

The membrane systems of the cardiac muscle cell of Munida tenuimana G. O. Sars (Crustacea, Decapoda)

SummaryThe membrane systems of the cardiac muscle cell of Munida tenuimana G. O. Sars are described. The sarcolemma invaginates at the Z level, forming tubules. Narrow tubules branch off in a longitudinal direction from these transverse and radially arranged tubules, forming a narrow transverse collar at the H level where dyadic and triadic junctions are formed with the sarcoplasmic reticulum.

The membrane systems of the cardiac muscle cell of Euchaeta norvegica Boeck (crustacea, copepoda).

SummaryThe membrane systems of the cardiac muscle cell of the copepod Euchaeta norvegica Boeck are described. The heart wall, which is between 0.12 and 1.36 μm thick, consists of an epicardium and a single layer of muscle cells. Invaginations of the sarcolemma forming transverse tubules have been found at all levels of the sarcomere with the exception of the H-band level. The longitudinal tubules of the same system are closely associated with the sarcoplasmic reticulum to form interior couplings at the A-I level of the sarcomere. Triadic couplings at the Z band level were not seen in E. norvegica, but peripheral couplings were demonstrated. Nexuses were found in the intercalated discs.

Heart ultrastructure of Anaspides tasmaniae Thomson (Crustacea, Syncarida)

ABSTRACT The heart wall of Anaspides tasmaniae consists of a single-layered epicardium and a single-layered myocardium. The myocardial ultrastructure is advanced. The cardiac sarcomere has a full set of bands, and an M-line is present. The sarcolemma invaginates, mainly at Z-band levels, to form clefts and T-tubules. The abluminal Tz,-tubules penetrate deeply and are partly filled by epicardial processes. These reach far into the tubules and form desmosomes with the sarcolemma at Z-band levels. Longitudinal T-tubules combine with the sarcoplasmic reticulum to form interior couplings at H-band levels. Peripheral couplings are often found at this band level. Contractile elements are absent from the anterior and the posterior aorta and from the lateral arteries.