The ultrastructure of two types of muscle fibre cells in the cyprid of Balanus amphitrite (Crustacea: Cirripedia)
Lagersson, N.C. (2002). The ultrastructure of two types of muscle fibre cells in the cyprid of Balanus amphitrite (Crustacea: Cirripedia). J. Mar. Biol. Ass. U.K. 82(4): 573-578. https://dx.doi.org/10.1017/S0025315402005891
In: Journal of the Marine Biological Association of the United Kingdom. Cambridge University Press/Marine Biological Association of the United Kingdom: Cambridge. ISSN 0025-3154; e-ISSN 1469-7769, more
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| Keywords |
Ultrastructure
Balanus amphitrite Darwin, 1854 [WoRMS]
Marine/Coastal |
| Abstract |
This study examined two types of muscle fibre, associated with entirely different tasks in the cyprid of Balanus amphitrite (Crustacea: Cirripedia), and detected a striking difference. The first fibre type is found in the antennulary system, which is used for selecting the most suitable substrate for continuance of the cirripede life cycle. The second fibre type is associated with the stereotyped swimming behaviour of the cyprid. The antennulary fibres have the characteristics of ‘slow’ fibres, whereas the thoracic fibres display the properties of ‘fast’ muscle fibres. The difference between the thoracic and antennulary muscles emphasizes the specialized morphology of the cirripede cyprid linked to their unique role in settlement. |
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