Novel cell types, neurosecretory cells, and body plan of the early-diverging metazoan Trichoplax adhaerens.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Trichoplax adhaerens is the best-known member of the phylum Placozoa, one of the earliest-diverging metazoan phyla. It is a small disk-shaped animal that glides on surfaces in warm oceans to feed on algae. Prior anatomical studies of Trichoplax revealed that it has a simple three-layered organization with four somatic cell types.

Results

We reinvestigate the cellular organization of Trichoplax using advanced freezing and microscopy techniques to identify localize and count cells. Six somatic cell types are deployed in stereotyped positions. A thick ventral plate, comprising the majority of the cells, includes ciliated epithelial cells, newly identified lipophil cells packed with large lipid granules, and gland cells. Lipophils project deep into the interior, where

SUBMITTER: Smith CL 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC4128346 | biostudies-literature | 2014 Jul

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature