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J. Moll. Stud. (1987), 53, 229-240
© The Malacological Society of London 1987

research-article

COMPARISON OF THE STRUCTURE OF THE PALLIAL TENTACLES OF SEVEN SPECIES OF SOUTH AFRICAN PATELLID LIMPET

A.N. HODGSON1, S.J. HAWKINS2, R.H.M. CROSS1 and K. DOWER1

1Department of Zoology & Entomology, Rhodes University Grahatnstown 6140, South Africa; and 2Department of Environmental Biology, University of Manchester Manchester M13 9PL, U. K.

The ultrastructure of the pallial tentacles of seven species of patellid limpet is described. The tip of most of the tentacles examined bears a crown of long cilia, whereas the shaft of the tentacles has small tufts (5–10 µm diameter) of shorter cilia. Sections through the ciliated tufts show them to be composed of several cells, each bearing cilia. The cilia contain 5–7 central microtubules and therefore do not have the conventional 9 + 2 arrangement of microtubules. Nerve processes run from the base of each ciliated cell to a nerve bundle in the centre of the tentacle, suggesting a sensory function. Estimates of densities of ciliated tufts suggest that the territorial limpets (Patella cochlear and P. longicosta) have the greater number of tufts. Electron dense plate-like structures are found in the centre of the pallial tentacles of Patella cochlear, P. longicosta, P. granularis, P. barbara and Helcion pruinosus. Each plate is about 0.2 µm wide and is surrounded by a double membrane. It is suggested that these may play a role in scattering or reflecting light and thus form part of the dermal light sensing ability of these animals.

(Received 26 January 1987;
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