A neuromotor apparatus in the ciliate Dileptus gigas

✍ Scribed by J. P. Visscher

• Book ID: 102369499
• Publisher: John Wiley and Sons
• Year: 1927
• Tongue: English
• Weight: 449 KB
• Volume: 44
• Category: Article
• ISSN: 0362-2525
• DOI: 10.1002/jmor.1050440302

✦ Synopsis

Abstract

A system of fibers has been found in Dileptus gigas which is probably a neuromotor apparatus. A distinct elongated basal rod, found near the base of the gullet, gives rise to three sets of fibers: (1) a set of heavy fibers radiates out around the funnel‐shaped gullet; (2) a pair of heavy fibers pass directly from the basal rod to the band of trichocysts, one on each side, extending to the tip of the proboscis; (3) a set of very delicate branching fibers is distributed over the surface of the organism.

This system of fibers is held to be a neuromotor apparatus, because, (1) the general structure and appearance of the fibers suggest a neuromotor function and, (2) there is little or no evidence indicating any other function; and because, (3) the fibers in this system are connected to the most highly specialized structures in Dileptus, and, finally, because, (4) they are similar to structures found in other forms for which a neuromotor function has been experimentally demonstrated.