Morphology and ultrastructure of the sensory spine, a presumed mechanoreceptor of Sphaeroma hookeri (Crustacea, Isopoda), and remarks on similar spines in other peracarids.

Abstract

The isopod Sphaeroma hookeri and many other isopods and peracarids have a sensory spine with laterally inserting sensory hair, positioned in the apical region of the propodal palm of pereopod 1. This spine is innervated by five to eight sensory cells (each giving rise to one cilium) the dendrites of which can be divided into an inner and outer dendritic segment. The cilia are surrounded by an extracellular, electron-dense dendritic sheath. Thirteen enveloping cells are present. The outer dendritic segment (structure beyond the basal bodies) contains two receptor lymph cavities; the inner one lying within the dendritic sheath is homologous with the inner receptor lymph cavity of insects. Scolopales, or tubular bodies, are lacking; their function is probably accomplished by the dendritic sheath. Apically the sensory hair does not have a pore, and the spine is heavily sclerotized. The inner dendritic segment begins with a basal body from which rootlets of different length and thickness extend into the dendrite. In the latter is an accumulation of vesicles. The dendrites keep close contact with other dendrites and the enveloping cells by desmosomal membrane structures. The possible importance of the sensory spine for phylogenetic studies is discussed.