Sensory innervation in the rim of the octopus sucker.

Abstract

Anatomical components of afferent innervation in the rim of the octopus sucker are described. In the sensory epithelium under the smooth cuticle two associated ciliated receptor cell-types (presumably chemosensitive) occur in clusters. A third ciliated receptor cell-type under the toothed cuticle may be a mechanoreceptor. A non-ciliated receptor cell-type of unknown function, under the toothed culticle, is characterized by a microvillus-lined apical canal containing dense granular material. The axons of the latter two receptors go directly into large nerve tracts which run through the infundibular muscle and on to the ganglion of the sucker. The axons of the first cell-types terminated on interneurons either in the base of the epithelium or below the epithelium. All the interneurons of the basal region of the epithelium migrate centripetally and develop into encapsulated interneurons. Within the epithelium, fine fibers provide collateral contact among cluster receptors. Collateral interaction among basal and encapsulated interneurons occur in the infundibular plexus. The microanatomy of the rim of the sucker suggests that chemosensory cues are funneled into the interneurons where they are concentrated into integrated signals, while other sensory input is probably sent directly to the ganglia of the sucker and/or arm.