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Symbiontic bacteria in the gut of the blood-sucking Antarctic fish parasite Gnathia calva (Crustacea: Isopoda)

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Abstract

Structure and ultrastructure of the digestive tract of the ectoparasitic stages of the Antarctic isopod Gnathia calva, collected in the Weddell Sea and around the Antarctic Peninsula in the 1984–1985 season, are briefly described. There are only two digestive glands, with an ultrastructure similar to that of other isopods. The gut is divided into six regions: oesophagus, stomach, dilatable reservior for sucked-in blood, sphincter, rectal vesicle with symbiontic bacteria, and rectum. The highly dilatable anterior hindgut (reservoir) takes part in the resorption of nutrients and stores lipids and glycogen. The rectal vesicle has an epithelium with all the features of an organ with high metabolism and the capacity for the transportation of small molecules. The surface is increased by irregular microvilli. A very thin intima and a basal labyrinth are present. The presence of symbiontic bacteria is discussed in correlation with the haematophagous nutrition of G. calva.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Arbeitsgruppe Zoomorphologie, Universität Oldenburg, Fachbereich 7, P.O. Box 2503, D-2900, Oldenburg, Federal Republic of Germany

    H. B. Juilfs & J. W. Wägele

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  1. H. B. Juilfs
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  2. J. W. Wägele
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Communicated by O. Kinne, Oldendorf/Luhe

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Juilfs, H.B., Wägele, J.W. Symbiontic bacteria in the gut of the blood-sucking Antarctic fish parasite Gnathia calva (Crustacea: Isopoda). Mar. Biol. 95, 493–499 (1987). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00393092

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