NEMATODES

taxonomy, morphology and phylogeny

Unusual intestinal lamellae in the nematode Rhabditophanes sp KR3021 (Nematoda : Alloinematidae)

Publication Type:Journal Article
Year of Publication:2005
Authors:M. Willems, Houthoofd, W., Claeys, M., Couvreur, M., Van Driessche, R., Adriaens, D., Jacobsen, K., Borgonie, G.
Journal:Journal of MorphologyJournal of Morphology
Volume:264
Pagination:223-232
Date Published:May
ISBN Number:0362-2525
Accession Number:WOS:000228678000007
Abstract:

The free-living nematode Rhabditophanes sp. has recently been placed in a clade of animal parasites and may be a unique example of a reversal to a nonparasitic lifestyle. Detailed morphological analysis of the intestine reveals the unusual and unique structure of splitting microlamellae forming a meshwork with cavities along the entire intestinal tract. Secretion vesicles were observed along the whole tract and along the length of the lamellae. It is suggested that these lamellae are adaptations to a different digestive strategy where low food availability and a low absorption surface are compensated for by maximizing the nutrient uptake efficiency along the entire length of the intestine. The likely reversal to a free-living life cycle may have caused drastic changes in diet, providing the necessary driving forces to such morphological changes. (c) 2005 Wiley-Liss, Inc.

Scratchpads developed and conceived by (alphabetical): Ed Baker, Katherine Bouton Alice Heaton Dimitris Koureas, Laurence Livermore, Dave Roberts, Simon Rycroft, Ben Scott, Vince Smith