Scanning electron microscopy of the sensory surface of the tentacles of sea anemones and corals.

Abstract

Examination of the sensory surface of the tentacles of sea anemones and corals prepared by the Freon critical-point method has revealed three primary structures: ciliary cones consisting of a cilium surrounded by a cluster of shorter stereocilia, single long cilia, and microvilli. The ciliary cones occur on, and the single cilia and microvilli occur both on and between, the nematocyst- and spirocyst-bearing regions of the tentacles. The similarity of the anthozoan ciliary cones to the ciliary sensory structures in the lateral line, and the auditory and vestibular organs of vertebrates is noted and the possible functional significance of the coelenterate structures is discussed.