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Structural and functional peculiarities of the digestive system of Cucumaria frondosa (Echinodermata: Holothuroidea)

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Abstract

The fine structure of the intestinal epithelium of Cucumaria frondosa has been examined. The digestive cells possessed some specific ultrastructural peculiarities which testify to their participation in the transport of substances and in the processes of intracellular and cavitary digestion. The main units of the intestinal epithelium appear to be multifunctional digestive cells in which the phenomenon of compartmentalization among the organelles' groups, intended to carry out various functions, occurs. The heterogeneity of the structure of populations of the digestive cells is explained. Both primitive and progressive features of the structure of the digestive tract of C. frondosa are indicated.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Institute of Marine Biology, USSR Academy of Sciences, Dalnie Zelentsy, Murmanskay a obl., USSR

    G. F. Filimonova & I. B. Tokin

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  1. G. F. Filimonova
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  2. I. B. Tokin
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Communicated by M. E. Vinogradov, Moscow

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Filimonova, G.F., Tokin, I.B. Structural and functional peculiarities of the digestive system of Cucumaria frondosa (Echinodermata: Holothuroidea). Mar. Biol. 60, 9–16 (1980). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00395601

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