Abstract
The surface structures and mucus layers that form an interface between the epithelial layer of organisms and their external environment were studied in the bloom-forming moon jellyfish (Aurelia solida, Scyphozoa) from the northern Adriatic. The surface of the polyps revealed epithelial ciliated cells and numerous nematocysts, both non-discharged and discharged. Cilia were also the most prominent features on the surface of adult medusa, protruding from the epidermal cells and with microvilli surrounding the base. Histochemical methods and various microscopy techniques (light/epifluorescence and electron microscopy) confirmed the presence of abundant mucus around polyps and on the surfaces of adult medusa, and that the mucus contained acidic and neutral mucins. The observed mucus secretions on the exumbrella surface of the medusae were in the form of granules, flocs, and sheets. Scanning electron microscopy and transmission electron microscopy analyses confirmed the presence of various microbes in the mucus samples, but not on the epithelial surfaces of the polyps or the exumbrella of the medusae.
Highlights
One of the successful strategies of planktonic organisms is to have a comparatively large, low-energy body [1]. Such organisms usually have a transparent body that protects them from predators [2]
We investigated the specific surface structures, mucus secretions, and associated microbes using scanning and transmission electron microscopy and histological staining
Thepresence presenceof of variouspolysaccharides polysaccharideswas wasexamined examinedininthe themucus mucusafter afterthe thestaining stainingofofultrathin ultrathinlongitulongivarious tudinal transverse tissue sectionsofofthe thepolyp polypwith withreagents reagents that that detect neutral dinal andand transverse tissue sections neutralmucin, mucin, glycoproteins,and andmucopolysaccharides
Summary
One of the successful strategies of planktonic organisms is to have a comparatively large, low-energy (gelatinous) body [1]. Such organisms usually have a transparent body that protects them from predators [2]. In addition to the transparent body, specific surface structures with anti-reflective properties can achieve reduced visibility in the water column [3,4]. Such a structure can help suppress biofouling [5] and reduce debris and bubble adhesion [6].
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