Preliminary observations on the role of the coelomic cells in food storage and transport in certain polychaetes

Abstract

Determinations of the concentration of fat and glycogen in the body wall, in different parts of the gut and in the coelomic cells are described inAmphitriteandArenicola. It is suggested that the trephocyte system constitutes a store of fat and glycogen derived from a primary store in the absorptive parts of the gut itself. InArenicolaandNereissurplus fat is removed from the gut itself through the blood or directly by amoebocytes; the fat deposited in the epidermis and the glycogen in the peritoneum. In these worms the coelomic trephocytes are solely concerned with the maturation of the gametes. No relationship can be established between these cells and the chloragocytes. InAmphitriteandTerebellafat is stored also in the coelomic trephocytes which may derive their contents directly from the gut or from the body wall. Glycogen is stored in the trephocytes inAmphitrite, and inArenicolain the peritoneum. Thus while large amounts of fat and glycogen are found in the trephocytes inAmphitrite, the total amount present in the body is no more than inArenicolawhich lacks a well-developed trephocyte system, and in this species a larger proportion of fat and glycogen is found in the body wall.