The Development and Growth ofCiona

Abstract

Ciona intestinalis(L.) is probably the most cosmopolitan species of ascidians and has long been of general interest. The adult morphology has been well described in monographic form by Roule (1884), the physiology of the heart and circulation by Heine (1902), Enriques (1904) and Wolf (1932), of the nervous system by Magnus (1902), Hecht (1918, 1926), Cate (1928), Haffner (1933), and Bacq & Florkin (1935), and of the digestive system by Yonge (1925). Developmental studies include that of the early embryology by Conklin (1905), problems of fertilization by Morgan (1945) and Damas (1899,1900). In no work, however, has there been a presentation of the entireCionaorganism from the tadpole stage through the critical post-larval stages to the young cionid ascidian. The present account portrays this period of development, together with a discussion of some significant but relatively obscure aspects of adult structure.Eggs and theRearing ofCiona intestinalisWhile ascidians in general are difficult to rear to maturity under laboratory conditions,Cionais relatively easy, and together withBotryllus schlosseri(Pallas) andDiplosoma gelatinosum(M.-Edw.) is liable to appear more or less spontaneously in large aquaria into which tadpoles may have been brought. Artificial fertilization is readily accomplished, and at almost any time of the year, sinceCionais sexually mature above a certain size and reproduction is seasonal only to the extent of the rhythm of the growth cycle. Normally eggs are set free spontaneously at dawn, although individuals kept in the laboratory may accumulate eggs and the oviduct become swollen.