Germ cell development in the scleractinian coral Euphyllia ancora (Cnidaria, Anthozoa).

ABSTRACT: Sexual reproduction of scleractinian coral is among the most important means of establishing coral populations. However, thus far, little is known about the mechanisms underlying coral gametogenesis. To better understand coral germ cell development, we performed a histological analysis of gametogenesis in Euphyllia ancora and characterized the coral homolog of the Drosophila germline marker gene vasa. The histological analysis revealed that E. ancora gametogenesis occurs in the mesenterial mesoglea between the mesenterial filaments and the retractor muscle bands. The development of germ cells takes approximately one year in females and half a year in males. Staining of tissue sections with an antibody against E. ancora Vasa (Eavas) revealed anti-Eavas immunoreactivity in the oogonia, early

SUBMITTER: Shikina S 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3407244 | biostudies-literature | 2012

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature