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Comparative ultrastructure of the cuticle of some pelagic, nektobenthic and benthic malacostracan crustaceans

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Abstract

The ultrastructure of malacostracan integument was examined and compared in 11 species collected primarily from the western Baltic Sea in 1989, of which eight species were studied for the first time (indicated below by an asterisk). We attempted to relate cuticle structure and thickness to swimming aptitude. The pelagic euphausiidMeganyctiphanes norvegia and the mysidsPraunus flexuosus * andNeomysis integer * displayed a thin, little-mineralized, and thus light-weight cuticle. Laminae of the endocuticle were very thin (0.1µm) relative to those of the exocuticle (1µm). In contrast, laminae in the procuticles of the benthic amphipodsGammarus locusta, Caprella linearis *,Corophium volutator *,Orchestia gammarellus *, and the isopodIdotea baltica were evenly distributed, comparatively thick (1 to 2µm), and more heavily mineralized. The nektobenthic amphipodHyperia galba *, the cumaceanDiastylis rathkei * and the decapodCrangon crangon * migrate between pelagic and benthic regions. Only near the hypodermis did these organisms exhibit the characteristically pelagic fine-layered endocuticle. A membranous layer was lacking in all species investigated. In contrast to the less-mineralized cuticles of the species analyzed here, a membranous layer appears to be restricted to crustaceans with heavily calcified shells. Ultrastructural results were substantiated by morphometric calculations, which indicated differences in thickness of the total cuticle relative to body volume. In the pelagic malacostracans, thickness of the cuticle did not increase with body volume over the size range investigated.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Marine Zoology, Institut für Meereskunde an der Universität Kiel, Düsternbrooker Weg 20, W-2300, Kiel, Germany

    K. Pütz & F. Buchholz

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  1. K. Pütz
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  2. F. Buchholz
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Communicated by O. Kinne, Oldendorf/Luhe

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Pütz, K., Buchholz, F. Comparative ultrastructure of the cuticle of some pelagic, nektobenthic and benthic malacostracan crustaceans. Mar. Biol. 110, 49–58 (1991). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01313091

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