Ultrastructural organization of Halammohydra vermiformis Swedmark & Teissier, 1957 (Cnidaria: Hydrozoa)

Abstract

AbstractWithin meiofauna, cnidarians are represented by only a few species most of which are in the genus Halammohydra Remane, 1927. It represents highly modified medusae. Information about this group is limited, which complicates its placement in the Cnidarian tree and the relationship to another meiofaunal cnidarian, Otohydra Swedmark & Teissier, 1958. This needs to be clarified with molecular, but also with morphological methods. In this study, the internal organization of H. vermiformis Swedmark & Teissier, 1957 from Sylt and Helgoland (Germany) was examined using transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The ultrastructure of both sexes is documented in this study, i.e. the gastric tube including gonadal compartment, aboral cone, statocysts and tentacles. It is proposed that spermatozoa and oocytes are not released into the water through the gastrodermis, but by rupture of the epidermis, because of structural changes in the epidermis. In both, male and female, there is an indent in the gastric tube and a gap of the mesoglea at the same position. Additionally, we describe the complex structure of the aboral cone with the specialized adhesive organ as well as the accumulation of myofibrils and neurites in the orally directed part of the cone, which indicates high controllability and ability to move in this region.