Affiliation:
1. Institute of Biology, Biotechnology and Environmental Protection, Faculty of Natural Sciences University of Silesia in Katowice Katowice Poland
2. Department of Medical Genetics, Faculty of Medical Sciences in Katowice Medical University of Silesia Katowice Poland
Abstract
AbstractEncystment is a natural process that involves cyst formation, and at least some species of tardigrades can form cysts. However, the encystment process and cyst structure among tardigrades are still poorly understood. Despite some aspects of the encysted animals' systems organisation being examined in the past, the morphology and structure of the nervous system have never been thoroughly investigated. This study covers anatomical, histological and morphological details and proposes physiological aspects of the nervous system in encysted Thulinius ruffoi up to 11 months duration in encystment. This is the first record of the nervous system organisation in a species belonging to the family Doryphoribiidae. The cyst formation results in morphological changes in the nervous system. It comprises central and peripheral elements, which may be observable even after many months since the cyst formation. Based on the nervous system's organisation in cysts, there is no sign that histolysis is a part of encystment.
Subject
Cell Biology,Developmental Biology,Molecular Biology,Ecology, Evolution, Behavior and Systematics,Histology,Anatomy