Structure of nematocysts isolated from the fire corals Millepora alcicornis and Millepora complanata (Cnidaria: Hydrozoa)

Structural characteristics of discharged and undischarged nematocysts from the hydrozoans Millepora alcicornis and Millepora complanata, two fire corals collected in the Mexican Caribbean, were examined using transmission electron, scanning and light microscopy. In this study, we report for the firs...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Journal of Venomous Animals and Toxins including Tropical Diseases
Main Authors: A García-Arredondo, A Rojas, R Iglesias-Prieto, A Zepeda-Rodriguez, L Palma-Tirado
Format: Article in Journal/Newspaper
Language:English
Published: SciELO 2012
Subjects:
hydrocoral
nematocysts
microscopy images
macrobasic mastigophore
stenotele
Arctic medicine. Tropical medicine
RC955-962
Toxicology. Poisons
RA1190-1270
Zoology
QL1-991
Arctic
Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1590/S1678-91992012000100014
https://doaj.org/article/a5d8d5b9b767472e82698ffef62b94ef
Description
Summary:Structural characteristics of discharged and undischarged nematocysts from the hydrozoans Millepora alcicornis and Millepora complanata, two fire corals collected in the Mexican Caribbean, were examined using transmission electron, scanning and light microscopy. In this study, we report for the first time images of the nematocysts found in these Mexican Caribbean venomous species. Two types of nematocysts were observed in both species, the more abundant identified as macrobasic mastigophore and the other a stenotele type. Macrobasic mastigophores were present in medium and large size classes while stenoteles appeared in only one size.

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