Abstract
ABSTRACTThe cephalopod olfactory organ was described for the first time in 1844 by von Kölliker, who was attracted to the pair of small pits of ciliated cells on each side of the head, below the eyes close to the mantle edge, in both octopuses and squids. Several functional studies have been conducted on decapods but very little is known about octopods. The morphology of the octopus olfactory system has been studied, but only to a limited extent on post-hatching specimens, and the only paper on adult octopus gives a minimal description of the olfactory organ. Here, we describe the detailed morphology of young male and female Octopus vulgaris olfactory epithelium, and using a combination of classical morphology and 3D reconstruction techniques, we propose a new classification for O. vulgaris olfactory sensory neurons. Furthermore, using specific markers such as olfactory marker protein (OMP) and proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) we have been able to identify and differentially localize both mature olfactory sensory neurons and olfactory sensory neurons involved in epithelium turnover. Taken together, our data suggest that the O. vulgaris olfactory organ is extremely plastic, capable of changing its shape and also proliferating its cells in older specimens.
Highlights
Cephalopods are considered ‘advanced invertebrates’ for many reasons, the size of their brain that represents a conspicuous fraction of their body mass (Packard, 1972)
In this study we provide an unprecedented view of the olfactory epithelium of O. vulgaris in term of anatomy and turnover capabilities
We describe the detailed morphology of young male and female octopus olfactory epithelium, and using a combination of classical morphology and 3D reconstruction techniques we propose a new classification for O. vulgaris olfactory sensory neurons (OSNs)
Summary
Cephalopods are considered ‘advanced invertebrates’ for many reasons, the size of their brain that represents a conspicuous fraction of their body mass (Packard, 1972) They have evolved a complex nervous system (Nixon and Young, 2003) while maintaining the basal molluscan plan of tetraneury (Wanninger, 2009; Moroz, 2009). The supra- and sub- esophageal masses show a multi-lobed organization and lie between two large optic lobes This complex structural organization functions hierarchically: motoneurons of the lower and intermediate motor centers, situated for the most part in the suboesophageal mass, innervate effectors.
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