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Janelt K, Wieczorkiewicz F, Poprawa I. The organisation of the digestive, excretory and reproductive systems in cysts of the freshwater tardigrade Thulinius ruffoi (Parachela, Isohypsibioidea: Doryphoribiidae). Micron 2024; 183:103660. [PMID: 38820862 DOI: 10.1016/j.micron.2024.103660] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/25/2024] [Revised: 05/18/2024] [Accepted: 05/20/2024] [Indexed: 06/02/2024]
Abstract
Tardigrades are invertebrates known to science for over 250 years. Although the ability of some species of tardigrades to form cysts has been reported, little is known about the encystment and internal organisation of the cysts. During cyst formation, contraction of the body affects the internal organs' morphology. The organs are compressed and have a compact appearance. The organisation of the digestive system, associated structures, and the reproductive system are analysed in cysts on indefinite and well-defined encystment periods - up to eleven months. The digestive system of encysted animals was organised into three main parts - a foregut, a midgut, and a hindgut. The presence of digestive system-associated structures, such as buccal glands or muscles, was noted and described. The excretory organs, called Malpighian tubules, open into the zone between the midgut and the hindgut. Furthermore, the oviduct opens into the hindgut. The first analysis of the reproductive system of cysts at the ultrastructural level is presented here, revealing interesting and undescribed aspects related to the physiology. Besides the anatomical and histological examination, the morphology and changes that occur during cyst formation are described.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kamil Janelt
- Institute of Biology, Biotechnology and Environmental Protection, Faculty of Natural Sciences, University of Silesia in Katowice, Bankowa 9, Katowice 40-007, Poland; Department of Medical Genetics, Faculty of Medical Sciences in Katowice, Medical University of Silesia, Medyków 18, Katowice 40-752, Poland.
| | - Filip Wieczorkiewicz
- Institute of Biology, Biotechnology and Environmental Protection, Faculty of Natural Sciences, University of Silesia in Katowice, Bankowa 9, Katowice 40-007, Poland
| | - Izabela Poprawa
- Institute of Biology, Biotechnology and Environmental Protection, Faculty of Natural Sciences, University of Silesia in Katowice, Bankowa 9, Katowice 40-007, Poland.
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Kayastha P, Wieczorkiewicz F, Pujol M, Robinson A, Michalak M, Kaczmarek Ł, Poprawa I. Elevated external temperature affects cell ultrastructure and heat shock proteins (HSPs) in Paramacrobiotus experimentalis Kaczmarek, Mioduchowska, Poprawa, & Roszkowska, 2020. Sci Rep 2024; 14:5097. [PMID: 38429316 PMCID: PMC10907573 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-024-55295-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/25/2023] [Accepted: 02/22/2024] [Indexed: 03/03/2024] Open
Abstract
Increasing temperature influences the habitats of various organisms, including microscopic invertebrates. To gain insight into temperature-dependent changes in tardigrades, we isolated storage cells exposed to various temperatures and conducted biochemical and ultrastructural analysis in active and tun-state Paramacrobiotus experimentalis Kaczmarek, Mioduchowska, Poprawa, & Roszkowska, 2020. The abundance of heat shock proteins (HSPs) and ultrastructure of the storage cells were examined at different temperatures (20 °C, 30 °C, 35 °C, 37 °C, 40 °C, and 42 °C) in storage cells isolated from active specimens of Pam. experimentalis. In the active animals, upon increase in external temperature, we observed an increase in the levels of HSPs (HSP27, HSP60, and HSP70). Furthermore, the number of ultrastructural changes in storage cells increased with increasing temperature. Cellular organelles, such as mitochondria and the rough endoplasmic reticulum, gradually degenerated. At 42 °C, cell death occurred by necrosis. Apart from the higher electron density of the karyoplasm and the accumulation of electron-dense material in some mitochondria (at 42 °C), almost no changes were observed in the ultrastructure of tun storage cells exposed to different temperatures. We concluded that desiccated (tun-state) are resistant to high temperatures, but not active tardigrades (survival rates of tuns after 24 h of rehydration: 93.3% at 20 °C, 60.0% at 35 °C, 33.3% at 37 °C, 33.3% at 40 °C, and 20.0% at 42 °C).
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Affiliation(s)
- Pushpalata Kayastha
- Department of Animal Taxonomy and Ecology, Faculty of Biology, Adam Mickiewicz University in Poznań, Uniwersytetu Poznańskiego 6, 61-614, Poznań, Poland.
| | - Filip Wieczorkiewicz
- Institute of Biology, Biotechnology and Environmental Protection, Faculty of Natural Sciences, University of Silesia in Katowice, Bankowa 9, 40-007, Katowice, Poland
| | - Myriam Pujol
- Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, Canada
| | - Alison Robinson
- Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, Canada
| | - Marek Michalak
- Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, Canada
| | - Łukasz Kaczmarek
- Department of Animal Taxonomy and Ecology, Faculty of Biology, Adam Mickiewicz University in Poznań, Uniwersytetu Poznańskiego 6, 61-614, Poznań, Poland
| | - Izabela Poprawa
- Institute of Biology, Biotechnology and Environmental Protection, Faculty of Natural Sciences, University of Silesia in Katowice, Bankowa 9, 40-007, Katowice, Poland.
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Poprawa I, Bartylak T, Kulpla A, Erdmann W, Roszkowska M, Chajec Ł, Kaczmarek Ł, Karachitos A, Kmita H. Verification of Hypsibius exemplaris Gąsiorek et al., 2018 (Eutardigrada; Hypsibiidae) application in anhydrobiosis research. PLoS One 2022; 17:e0261485. [PMID: 35303010 PMCID: PMC8932574 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0261485] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/28/2021] [Accepted: 02/25/2022] [Indexed: 01/03/2023] Open
Abstract
Anhydrobiosis is considered to be an adaptation of important applicative implications because it enables resistance to the lack of water. The phenomenon is still not well understood at molecular level. Thus, a good model invertebrate species for the research is required. The best known anhydrobiotic invertebrates are tardigrades (Tardigrada), considered to be toughest animals in the world. Hypsibius. exemplaris is one of the best studied tardigrade species, with its name "exemplaris" referring to the widespread use of the species as a laboratory model for various types of research. However, available data suggest that anhydrobiotic capability of the species may be overestimated. Therefore, we determined anhydrobiosis survival by Hys. exemplaris specimens using three different anhydrobiosis protocols. We also checked ultrastructure of storage cells within formed dormant structures (tuns) that has not been studied yet for Hys. exemplaris. These cells are known to support energetic requirements of anhydrobiosis. The obtained results indicate that Hys. exemplaris appears not to be a good model species for anhydrobiosis research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Izabela Poprawa
- Institute of Biology, Biotechnology and Environmental Protection, Faculty of Natural Sciences, University of Silesia in Katowice, Bankowa, Katowice, Poland
| | - Tomasz Bartylak
- Department of Animal Taxonomy and Ecology, Faculty of Biology, Adam Mickiewicz University in Poznań, Uniwersytetu Poznańskiego, Poznań, Poland
- Department of Bioenergetics, Faculty of Biology, Adam Mickiewicz University in Poznań, Uniwersytetu Poznańskiego, Poznań, Poland
| | - Adam Kulpla
- Center for Advanced Technology, Adam Mickiewicz University, Uniwersytetu Poznańskiego, Poznań, Poland
- Faculty of Biology, Adam Mickiewicz University in Poznań, Uniwersytetu Poznańskiego, Poznań, Poland
| | - Weronika Erdmann
- Department of Animal Taxonomy and Ecology, Faculty of Biology, Adam Mickiewicz University in Poznań, Uniwersytetu Poznańskiego, Poznań, Poland
| | - Milena Roszkowska
- Department of Bioenergetics, Faculty of Biology, Adam Mickiewicz University in Poznań, Uniwersytetu Poznańskiego, Poznań, Poland
| | - Łukasz Chajec
- Institute of Biology, Biotechnology and Environmental Protection, Faculty of Natural Sciences, University of Silesia in Katowice, Bankowa, Katowice, Poland
| | - Łukasz Kaczmarek
- Department of Animal Taxonomy and Ecology, Faculty of Biology, Adam Mickiewicz University in Poznań, Uniwersytetu Poznańskiego, Poznań, Poland
| | - Andonis Karachitos
- Department of Bioenergetics, Faculty of Biology, Adam Mickiewicz University in Poznań, Uniwersytetu Poznańskiego, Poznań, Poland
| | - Hanna Kmita
- Department of Bioenergetics, Faculty of Biology, Adam Mickiewicz University in Poznań, Uniwersytetu Poznańskiego, Poznań, Poland
- * E-mail:
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Jezierska M, Miernik A, Sojka J, Student S, Śliwińska MA, Gross V, Poprawa I. Oogenesis in the tardigrade Hypsibius exemplaris Gąsiorek, Stec, Morek & Michalczyk, 2018 (Eutardigrada, Hypsibiidae). Micron 2021; 150:103126. [PMID: 34399159 DOI: 10.1016/j.micron.2021.103126] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/15/2021] [Revised: 07/27/2021] [Accepted: 07/27/2021] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
Abstract
Tardigrades are small, globally widespred invertebrates that need at least a thin layer of water to be active. There are gonochoric, hermaphroditic, and parthenogenetic species among them. The main aim of this study was to analyze the structure of the ovary, the structure of female germ cell clusters, and the course of oogenesis in the parthenogenetic species Hypsibius exemplaris, which in 2007 was recognized as a model organism. The material was analyzed using light and confocal microscopy as well as transmission and scanning electron microscopy. Histochemical and immunohistochemical methods were used. Our study showed that in the meroistic-polytrophic ovary of the examined species, branched germ cell clusters are formed in which one cell differentiates into an oocyte while the remaining cells become trophocytes. Vitellogenesis is of the mixed type: the first part of the yolk is synthesized by the oocyte (autosynthesis); the second part is synthesized by trophocytes and transported to the oocyte by cytoplasmic bridges; and the third part is synthesized outside the ovary (in storage cells) and transported to the oocyte by endocytosis. At the end of oogenesis, the trophocytes die by apoptosis. Parthenogenetic female of H. exemplaris lays from one to a dozen smooth eggs into exuviae.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marta Jezierska
- University of Silesia in Katowice, Faculty of Natural Sciences, Institute of Biology, Biotechnology and Environmental Protection, Bankowa 9, 40-007 Katowice, Poland; Department of Pathomorphology and Molecular Diagnostics, Medical University of Silesia, 40-055 Katowice, Poland.
| | - Aleksandra Miernik
- University of Silesia in Katowice, Faculty of Natural Sciences, Institute of Biology, Biotechnology and Environmental Protection, Bankowa 9, 40-007 Katowice, Poland
| | - Julia Sojka
- University of Silesia in Katowice, Faculty of Natural Sciences, Institute of Biology, Biotechnology and Environmental Protection, Bankowa 9, 40-007 Katowice, Poland
| | - Sebastian Student
- Silesian University of Technology, Institute of Automatic Control, Akademicka 16, 44-100 Gliwice, Poland; Silesian University of Technology, Biotechnology Centre, Krzywoustego 8, 44-100 Gliwice, Poland
| | - Małgorzata A Śliwińska
- Nencki Institute of Experimental Biology, Polish Academy of Sciences, Laboratory of Imaging Tissue Structure and Function, Ludwika Pasteura 3, 02-093, Warsaw, Poland
| | - Vladimir Gross
- University of Kassel, Institute of Biology, Department of Zoology, Heinrich-Plett-Straße 40, 34132 Kassel, Germany
| | - Izabela Poprawa
- University of Silesia in Katowice, Faculty of Natural Sciences, Institute of Biology, Biotechnology and Environmental Protection, Bankowa 9, 40-007 Katowice, Poland.
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Roszkowska M, Wojciechowska D, Kmita H, Cerbin S, Dziuba MK, Fiałkowska E, Sobkowiak R, Szydło W, Kaczmarek Ł. Tips and tricks how to culture water bears: simple protocols for culturing eutardigrades (Tardigrada) under laboratory conditions. THE EUROPEAN ZOOLOGICAL JOURNAL 2021. [DOI: 10.1080/24750263.2021.1881631] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- M. Roszkowska
- Department of Animal Taxonomy and Ecology, Faculty of Biology, Adam Mickiewicz University, Poznań, Poland
- Department of Bioenergetics, Faculty of Biology, Adam Mickiewicz University, Poznań, Poland
| | - D. Wojciechowska
- Department of Bioenergetics, Faculty of Biology, Adam Mickiewicz University, Poznań, Poland
| | - H. Kmita
- Department of Bioenergetics, Faculty of Biology, Adam Mickiewicz University, Poznań, Poland
| | - S. Cerbin
- Department of Hydrobiology, Faculty of Biology, Adam Mickiewicz University, Poznań, Poland
| | - M. K. Dziuba
- Department of Hydrobiology, Faculty of Biology, Adam Mickiewicz University, Poznań, Poland
| | - E. Fiałkowska
- Institute of Environmental Sciences, Faculty of Biology, Jagiellonian University, Krakow, Poland
| | - R. Sobkowiak
- Department of Cell Biology, Faculty of Biology, Adam Mickiewicz University, Poznań, Poland
| | - W. Szydło
- Center for Advanced Technology, Adam Mickiewicz University, Poznań, Poland
- Population Ecology Lab, Faculty of Biology, Adam Mickiewicz University, Poznań, Poland
| | - Ł. Kaczmarek
- Department of Animal Taxonomy and Ecology, Faculty of Biology, Adam Mickiewicz University, Poznań, Poland
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Erdmann W, Idzikowski B, Kowalski W, Kosicki JZ, Kaczmarek Ł. Tolerance of two anhydrobiotic tardigrades Echiniscus testudo and Milnesium inceptum to hypomagnetic conditions. PeerJ 2021; 9:e10630. [PMID: 33604170 PMCID: PMC7863786 DOI: 10.7717/peerj.10630] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/30/2020] [Accepted: 12/01/2020] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
The open space is a hostile environment for all lifeforms not only due to vacuum, high radiation, low atmospheric pressure, and extremely low temperature, but also the absence of the geomagnetic field. The geomagnetic field protects Earth mainly from corpuscular radiation, that is, solar wind and cosmic radiation, but above all it influences organisms, including their cells, tissues and organs. Moreover, numerous studies conducted on plants and animals confirmed that hypomagnetic conditions (the term referring to all situations when the magnetic field is weaker than the typical geomagnetic field) have significant influence on the metabolism of living organisms. Although many studies dealt with a variety of aspects related mainly to the influence of hypomagnetic conditions on human health. Very few studies have considered the influence of hypomagnetic conditions on extremophiles. Astrobiologists have long been testing different extremofiles to find out if any multicellular organisms are able to survive in extreme conditions of open space. Among all multicellular extremophiles fit for such research, water bears (Tardigrada) are the most interesting. Not only are they one of the most resistant organisms on Earth, but results obtained from studies on these invertebrates can be extrapolated or applied to vertebrates (including humans). Despite this, studies on the influence of hypomagnetic conditions on tardigrades are rare, so far. In the present study, to test the influence of hypomagnetic conditions on the process of anhydrobiosis while entering and returning from anhydrobiosis, we used two terrestrial anhydrobiotic species that are Echiniscus testudo and Milnesium inceptum. To exclude the ambient magnetic field, experiments were carried out in a special magnetic field shielding chamber. In total, three experiments were conducted: (a) tardigrades in anhydrobiosis, (b) tardigrades entering anhydrobiosis and (c) tardigrades returning to active life. The obtained results clearly showed that even partial isolation from the geomagnetic field, that is, hypomagnetic conditions, has negative influence on anhydrobiotic abilities of both tested tardigrade species. In both species we observed lower survivability rate while entering anhydrobiosis, in anhydrobiotic state and returning to the active state. What is more, we observed a higher mortality rate in Ech. testudo than Mil. inceptum which suggest that different species response to the hypomagnetic conditions in different way. In conclusion, while current knowledge on the influence of hypomagnetic conditions on mortality of invertebrates is very limited, our results suggest that the presence of the magnetic field is a very important factor which should be considered in further research focused on potential survival of Earth organisms in outer space, spacecrafts or different planets and moons.
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Affiliation(s)
- Weronika Erdmann
- Department of Animal Taxonomy and Ecology/Faculty of Biology, Adam Mickiewicz University of Poznan, Poznań, Poland
| | - Bogdan Idzikowski
- Institute of Molecular Physics, Polish Academy of Sciences, Poznań, Poland
| | - Wojciech Kowalski
- Institute of Molecular Physics, Polish Academy of Sciences, Poznań, Poland
| | - Jakub Z. Kosicki
- Department of Avian Biology and Ecology/Faculty of Biology, Adam Mickiewicz University of Poznan, Poznań, Poland
| | - Łukasz Kaczmarek
- Department of Animal Taxonomy and Ecology/Faculty of Biology, Adam Mickiewicz University of Poznan, Poznań, Poland
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Møbjerg N, Michalczyk Ł, Mcinnes SJ, Christenhusz MJM. Research presented at the 14th International Symposium on Tardigrada: progress in studies on water bears. Zool J Linn Soc 2020. [DOI: 10.1093/zoolinnean/zlaa008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
AbstractThe 14th International Symposium on Tardigrada took place in Copenhagen, Denmark from 30 July to 3 August 2018. Approximately 140 participants, representing 28 countries from five continents attended the meeting, and there were 58 talks and 74 posters of which 20 were selected for the Symposium Proceedings published in this special issue. The studies span phylogenomics, systematics, anatomy, morphology, reproductive biology, cryobiology, ecology, diet, microbial interactions and biogeography, taking the next step forward in broadening and deepening our understanding of tardigrade biology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nadja Møbjerg
- Department of Biology, August Krogh Building, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Łukasz Michalczyk
- Institute of Zoology and Biomedical Research, Jagiellonian University, Kraków, Poland
| | - Sandra J Mcinnes
- British Antarctic Survey, Programme Office, High Cross, Cambridge, UK
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Structure of the germarium and female germ-cell clusters in Thulinius ruffoi (Bertolani, 1982) (Tardigrada: Eutardigrada: Parachela). Zool J Linn Soc 2019. [DOI: 10.1093/zoolinnean/zlz108] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/14/2022]
Abstract
AbstractThulinius ruffoi is a freshwater species that has the ability to reproduce via parthenogenesis. A meroistic polytrophic ovary is present in this species. Analyses of the germarium structure, and formation and organization of female germ-cell clusters were performed using light, confocal laser scanning, transmission electron and serial block-face scanning electron microscopy. The germarium is the small, anterior part of an ovary that contains putative germ-line stem cells. In the studied species, the female germ-cell clusters are large and branched. Only one cell in each cluster develops into an oocyte, while all the other cells become trophocytes. In this paper, we present the first report on the presence of F-actin as a component of the intercellular bridges that connect the cells in the germ-cell cluster of T. ruffoi. Moreover, our results show that the female germ-cell clusters are formed as the result of both synchronous and asynchronous divisions and that their organization can vary not only between individuals of the investigated species, but also that clusters developing simultaneously within the same ovary can have a different spatial organization.
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Rost-Roszkowska M, Janelt K, Poprawa I. Ultrastructure of the midgut epithelium in three species of Macrobiotidae (Tardigrada: Eutardigrada: Parachela). Zool J Linn Soc 2019. [DOI: 10.1093/zoolinnean/zlz052] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022]
Abstract
Abstract
Three species of Macrobiotidae, Macrobiotus polonicus, Macrobiotus diversus and Macrobiotus pallarii, were selected for analysis of the fine structure of the midgut epithelium. They are gonochoric and carnivorous species that live in wet terrestrial and freshwater environments. The ultrastructure of the midgut epithelium of the investigated Macrobiotidae species was analysed in both males and females. Their digestive system is composed of fore- and hindguts that are covered by a cuticle, and the middle region, termed the midgut. It is lined with a simple epithelium that is formed by digestive cells that have a distinct brush border. Crescent-shaped cells that form an anterior ring in the border between the fore- and midgut were detected. The ultrastructure of the intestinal epithelium of the examined species differs slightly depending on sex. The digestive cells of the posterior segment of the intestine contain numerous lipid droplets, which are the reserve material. We concluded that the digestive cells of the Macrobiotidae midgut are responsible for its intracellular digestion owing to endocytosis. They also participate in the extracellular digestion owing to merocrine secretion (exocytosis). However, the midgut is not the main organ that accumulates reserve material. Additionally, the midgut epithelium does not participate in oogenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- M Rost-Roszkowska
- University of Silesia in Katowice, Department of Animal Histology and Embryology, Katowice, Poland
| | - K Janelt
- University of Silesia in Katowice, Department of Animal Histology and Embryology, Katowice, Poland
| | - I Poprawa
- University of Silesia in Katowice, Department of Animal Histology and Embryology, Katowice, Poland
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Włodarczyk A, Student S, Rost-Roszkowska M. Autophagy and apoptosis in starved and refed Neocaridina davidi (Crustacea, Malacostraca) midgut. CAN J ZOOL 2019. [DOI: 10.1139/cjz-2018-0104] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
Adult specimens of the freshwater shrimp Neocaridina davidi Bouvier, 1904 (Crustacea) were starved for 7, 14, and 21 days. Specimens from the first and second experimental group were collected for the studies. The majority of animals starved for 21 days died. Additionally, some specimens from each group were refed for 4, 7, and 14 days. The epithelium of the midgut, which is composed of the intestine and hepatopancreas, was analyzed. While the epithelium of the intestine is formed by D- and R-cells, the epithelium of the hepatopancreas has R-, B-, and F-cells. Autophagy and apoptosis in the midgut epithelium were analyzed using transmission electron microscopy and immunohistochemical methods. These processes were only observed in the D-cells of the intestine and the F- and B-cells of the hepatopancreas. Starvation led to a reduction in the amount of reserve material in the B-cells. Although this process activated autophagy in both regions of the midgut, the intestine and hepatopancreas, after refeeding, the level of autophagy decreased. Starvation caused an increase in the apoptotic cells in both organs, while the refeeding caused a decrease in the number of apoptotic cells in both organs analyzed. Refeeding after periods of starvation caused an accumulation of reserve material in the hepatopancreas.
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Affiliation(s)
- A. Włodarczyk
- Department of Animal Histology and Embryology, University of Silesia in Katowice, Bankowa 9, 40-007 Katowice
| | - S. Student
- Faculty of Automatic Control, Electronics and Computer Science, Silesian University of Technology, Akademicka 16, 44-100 Gliwice
| | - M. Rost-Roszkowska
- Department of Animal Histology and Embryology, University of Silesia in Katowice, Bankowa 9, 40-007 Katowice
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Rost-Roszkowska M, Janelt K, Poprawa I. Fine structure of the midgut epithelium of Thulinius ruffoi (Tardigrada, Eutardigrada, Parachela) in relation to oogenesis and simplex stage. ARTHROPOD STRUCTURE & DEVELOPMENT 2019; 49:128-136. [PMID: 30557624 DOI: 10.1016/j.asd.2018.12.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/19/2018] [Accepted: 12/11/2018] [Indexed: 06/09/2023]
Abstract
Thulinius ruffoi is a small freshwater tardigrade that lives in both non-polluted and polluted freshwater environments. As a result of tardigradan body miniaturization, the digestive system is reduced and simplified. It consists of a short fore- and hindgut, and the midgut in the shape of a short tube is lined with a simple epithelium. The midgut epithelium is formed by the digestive cells and two rings of crescent-shaped cells were also detected. The anterior ring is located at the border between the fore- and midgut, while the posterior ring is situated between the mid- and hindgut. The precise ultrastructure of the digestive and crescent-shaped cells was examined using transmission electron microscopy, serial block face scanning electron microscopy and histochemical methods. We analyzed the changes that occurred in the midgut epithelial cells according to oogenesis (the species is parthenogenetic and there were only females in the laboratory culture). We focused on the accumulation of reserve material and the relationship between this and the intensity of autophagy. We concluded that autophagy supplies energy during a natural period of starvation (the simplex stage) and delivers the energy and probably the substances that are required during oogenesis. Apoptosis was not detected in the midgut epithelium of T. ruffoi.
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Affiliation(s)
- Magdalena Rost-Roszkowska
- University of Silesia in Katowice, Department of Animal Histology and Embryology, Bankowa 9, 40-007 Katowice, Poland.
| | - Kamil Janelt
- University of Silesia in Katowice, Department of Animal Histology and Embryology, Bankowa 9, 40-007 Katowice, Poland.
| | - Izabela Poprawa
- University of Silesia in Katowice, Department of Animal Histology and Embryology, Bankowa 9, 40-007 Katowice, Poland.
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13
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Gross V, Treffkorn S, Reichelt J, Epple L, Lüter C, Mayer G. Miniaturization of tardigrades (water bears): Morphological and genomic perspectives. ARTHROPOD STRUCTURE & DEVELOPMENT 2019; 48:12-19. [PMID: 30447338 DOI: 10.1016/j.asd.2018.11.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/27/2018] [Revised: 11/08/2018] [Accepted: 11/13/2018] [Indexed: 05/03/2023]
Abstract
Tardigrades form a monophyletic group of microscopic ecdysozoans best known for surviving extreme environmental conditions. Due to their key phylogenetic position as a subgroup of the Panarthropoda, understanding tardigrade biology is important for comparative studies with related groups like Arthropoda. Panarthropods - and Ecdysozoa as a whole - likely evolved from macroscopic ancestors, with several taxa becoming secondarily miniaturized. Morphological and genomic evidence likewise points to a miniaturized tardigrade ancestor. The five-segmented tardigrade body typically measures less than 1 mm in length and consists of only about 1000 cells. Most organs comprise a relatively small number of cells, with the highest proportion belonging to the central nervous system, while muscles are reduced to a single cell each. Similarly, fully sequenced genomes of three tardigrade species - together with Hox gene expression data - point to extensive modifications, rearrangements, and major losses of genes and even a large body region. Parallels are evident with related ecdysozoans that may have also undergone genomic reductions, such as the nematode Caenorhabditis elegans. We interpret these data together as evidence of miniaturization in the tardigrade lineage, while cautioning that the effects of miniaturization may manifest in different ways depending on the organ or organ system under examination.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vladimir Gross
- Department of Zoology, Institute of Biology, University of Kassel, Heinrich-Plett-Straße 40, Kassel, D-34132, Germany
| | - Sandra Treffkorn
- Department of Zoology, Institute of Biology, University of Kassel, Heinrich-Plett-Straße 40, Kassel, D-34132, Germany
| | - Julian Reichelt
- Department of Zoology, Institute of Biology, University of Kassel, Heinrich-Plett-Straße 40, Kassel, D-34132, Germany
| | - Lisa Epple
- Department of Zoology, Institute of Biology, University of Kassel, Heinrich-Plett-Straße 40, Kassel, D-34132, Germany
| | - Carsten Lüter
- Museum für Naturkunde, Leibniz-Institute for Evolution and Biodiversity Science, Invalidenstraße 43, Berlin, D-10115, Germany
| | - Georg Mayer
- Department of Zoology, Institute of Biology, University of Kassel, Heinrich-Plett-Straße 40, Kassel, D-34132, Germany.
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14
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Gross V, Müller M, Hehn L, Ferstl S, Allner S, Dierolf M, Achterhold K, Mayer G, Pfeiffer F. X-ray imaging of a water bear offers a new look at tardigrade internal anatomy. ZOOLOGICAL LETTERS 2019; 5:14. [PMID: 31110777 PMCID: PMC6511223 DOI: 10.1186/s40851-019-0130-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/28/2019] [Accepted: 04/09/2019] [Indexed: 05/03/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Tardigrades (water bears) are microscopic invertebrates of which the anatomy has been well studied using traditional techniques, but a comprehensive three-dimensional reconstruction has never been performed. In order to close this gap, we employed X-ray computed tomography (CT), a technique that is becoming increasingly popular in zoology for producing high-resolution, three-dimensional (3D) scans of whole specimens. While CT has long been used to scan larger samples, its use in some microscopic animals can be problematic, as they are often too small for conventional CT yet too large for high-resolution, optics-based soft X-ray microscopy. This size gap continues to be narrowed with advancements in technology, with high-resolution imaging now being possible using both large synchrotron devices and, more recently, laboratory-based instruments. RESULTS Here we use a recently developed prototype lab-based nano-computed tomography device to image a 152 μm-long tardigrade at high resolution (200-270 nm pixel size). The resulting dataset allowed us to visualize the anatomy of the tardigrade in 3D and analyze the spatial relationships of the internal structures. Segmentation of the major structures of the body enabled the direct measurement of their respective volumes. Furthermore, we segmented every storage cell individually and quantified their volume distribution. We compare our measurements to those from published studies in which other techniques were used. CONCLUSIONS The data presented herein demonstrate the utility of CT imaging as a powerful supplementary tool for studies of tardigrade anatomy, especially for quantitative volume measurements. This nanoCT study represents the smallest complete animal ever imaged using CT, and offers new 3D insights into the spatial relationships of the internal organs of water bears.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vladimir Gross
- Department of Zoology, Institute of Biology, University of Kassel, Heinrich-Plett-Straße 40, 34132 Kassel, Germany
| | - Mark Müller
- Department of Physics and Munich School of BioEngineering, Technical University of Munich, 85748 Garching, Germany
| | - Lorenz Hehn
- Department of Physics and Munich School of BioEngineering, Technical University of Munich, 85748 Garching, Germany
| | - Simone Ferstl
- Department of Physics and Munich School of BioEngineering, Technical University of Munich, 85748 Garching, Germany
| | - Sebastian Allner
- Department of Physics and Munich School of BioEngineering, Technical University of Munich, 85748 Garching, Germany
| | - Martin Dierolf
- Department of Physics and Munich School of BioEngineering, Technical University of Munich, 85748 Garching, Germany
| | - Klaus Achterhold
- Department of Physics and Munich School of BioEngineering, Technical University of Munich, 85748 Garching, Germany
| | - Georg Mayer
- Department of Zoology, Institute of Biology, University of Kassel, Heinrich-Plett-Straße 40, 34132 Kassel, Germany
| | - Franz Pfeiffer
- Department of Physics and Munich School of BioEngineering, Technical University of Munich, 85748 Garching, Germany
- Department of Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology, Klinikum rechts der Isar, Technical University of Munich, 81675 Munich, Germany
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15
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Goldstein B. The Emergence of the Tardigrade Hypsibius exemplaris as a Model System. Cold Spring Harb Protoc 2018; 2018:2018/11/pdb.emo102301. [PMID: 30385668 DOI: 10.1101/pdb.emo102301] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
Abstract
The success of scientists in revealing biological mechanisms has depended in large part on choosing tractable model systems. In 1997, molecular phylogenetics revealed that two of biology's most tractable models-Caenorhabditis elegans and Drosophila-are much more closely related to each other than had been thought previously. I began to explore whether any of the little-studied members of this branch of the tree of life might serve as a new model for comparative biology that could make use of the rich and ongoing sources of information flowing from C. elegans and Drosophila research. Tardigrades, also known as water bears, make up a phylum of microscopic animals. The tardigrade Hypsibius exemplaris (recently disambiguated from a closely related species, Hypsibius dujardini) can be maintained in laboratories and has a generation time of <2 wk at room temperature. Stocks of animals can be stored frozen and revived. The animals and their embryos are optically clear, and embryos are laid in groups, with each synchronous clutch of embryos laid in a clear molt. We have developed techniques for laboratory study of this system, including methods for microinjection of animals, immunolocalization, in situ hybridization, RNA interference, transcriptomics, and methods for identifying proteins that mediate tolerance to extreme environments. Here, I review the development of this animal as an emerging model system, as well as recent molecular studies aimed at understanding the evolution of developmental mechanisms that underpin the evolution of animal form and at understanding how biological materials can survive extreme environments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bob Goldstein
- Department of Biology, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina 27599
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16
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Czerneková M, Janelt K, Student S, Jönsson KI, Poprawa I. A comparative ultrastructure study of storage cells in the eutardigrade Richtersius coronifer in the hydrated state and after desiccation and heating stress. PLoS One 2018; 13:e0201430. [PMID: 30096140 PMCID: PMC6086413 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0201430] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/27/2018] [Accepted: 07/16/2018] [Indexed: 02/03/2023] Open
Abstract
Tardigrades represent an invertebrate phylum with no circulatory or respiratory system. Their body cavity is filled with free storage cells of the coelomocyte-type, which are responsible for important physiological functions. We report a study comparing the ultrastructure of storage cells in anhydrobiotic and hydrated specimens of the eutardigrade Richtersius coronifer. We also analysed the effect of temperature stress on storage cell structure. Firstly, we verified two types of ultrastructurally different storage cells, which differ in cellular organelle complexity, amount and content of reserve material and connection to oogenetic stage. Type I cells were found to differ ultrastructurally depending on the oogenetic stage of the animal. The main function of these cells is energy storage. Storage cells of Type I were also observed in the single male that was found among the analysed specimens. The second cell type, Type II, found only in females, represents young undifferentiated cells, possibly stem cells. The two types of cells also differ with respect to the presence of nucleolar vacuoles, which are related to oogenetic stages and to changes in nucleolic activity during oogenesis. Secondly, this study revealed that storage cells are not ultrastructurally affected by six months of desiccation or by heating following this desiccation period. However, heating of the desiccated animals (tuns) tended to reduce animal survival, indicating that long-term desiccation makes these animals more vulnerable to heat stress. We confirmed the degradative pathways during the rehydration process after desiccation and heat stress. Our study is the first to document two ultrastructurally different types of storage cells in tardigrades and reveals new perspectives for further studies of tardigrade storage cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michaela Czerneková
- Department of Environmental Science and Bioscience, Kristianstad University, Kristianstad, Sweden
- Institute of Physiology, Academy of Sciences of the Czech Republic, Prague, Czech Republic
- Faculty of Medicine, Charles University, Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Kamil Janelt
- Department of Animal Histology and Embryology, University of Silesia in Katowice, Katowice, Poland
| | - Sebastian Student
- Silesian University of Technology, Institute of Automatic Control, Gliwice, Poland
| | - K. Ingemar Jönsson
- Department of Environmental Science and Bioscience, Kristianstad University, Kristianstad, Sweden
| | - Izabela Poprawa
- Department of Animal Histology and Embryology, University of Silesia in Katowice, Katowice, Poland
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17
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Sørensen-Hygum TL, Stuart RM, Jørgensen A, Møbjerg N. Modelling extreme desiccation tolerance in a marine tardigrade. Sci Rep 2018; 8:11495. [PMID: 30065347 PMCID: PMC6068186 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-018-29824-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/19/2018] [Accepted: 07/18/2018] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
It has recently been argued that the enigmatic tardigrades (water bears) will endure until the sun dies, surviving any astrophysical calamities in Earth's oceans. Yet, our knowledge of stress tolerance among marine tardigrade species is very limited and most investigations revolve around species living in moist habitats on land. Here, we investigate desiccation tolerance in the cosmopolitan marine tidal tardigrade, Echiniscoides sigismundi, providing the first thorough analysis on recovery upon desiccation from seawater. We test the influence on survival of desiccation surface, time spent desiccated (up to 1 year) and initial water volume. We propose analysis methods for survival estimates, which can be used as a future platform for evaluating and analysing recovery rates in organisms subjected to extreme stress. Our data reveal that marine tidal tardigrades tolerate extremely rapid and extended periods of desiccation from seawater supporting the argument that these animals are among the toughest organisms on Earth.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thomas L Sørensen-Hygum
- Section for Cell Biology and Physiology, Department of Biology, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Robyn M Stuart
- Data Science Laboratory, Department of Mathematical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Aslak Jørgensen
- Section for Cell Biology and Physiology, Department of Biology, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Nadja Møbjerg
- Section for Cell Biology and Physiology, Department of Biology, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark.
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18
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The role of autophagy in the midgut epithelium of Parachela (Tardigrada). ZOOMORPHOLOGY 2018; 137:501-509. [PMID: 30524174 PMCID: PMC6244646 DOI: 10.1007/s00435-018-0407-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/21/2017] [Revised: 04/03/2018] [Accepted: 04/16/2018] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
Abstract
The process of cell death has been detected in the midgut epithelium of four tardigrade species which belong to Parachela: Macrobiotus diversus, Macrobiotus polonicus, Hypsibius dujardini and Xerobiotus pseudohufelandi. They originated from different environments so they have been affected by different stressors: M. polonicus was extracted from a moss sample collected from a railway embankment; M. diversus was extracted from a moss sample collected from a petrol station; X. pseudohufelandi originated from sandy and dry soil samples collected from a pine forest; H. dujardini was obtained commercially but it lives in a freshwater or even in wet terrestrial environment. Autophagy is caused in the digestive cells of the midgut epithelium by different factors. However, a distinct crosstalk between autophagy and necrosis in tardigrades' digestive system has been described at the ultrastructural level. Apoptosis has not been detected in the midgut epithelium of analyzed species. We also determined that necrosis is the major process that is responsible for the degeneration of the midgut epithelium of tardigrades, and "apoptosis-necrosis continuum" which is the relationship between these two processes, is disrupted.
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19
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Gross V, Bährle R, Mayer G. Detection of cell proliferation in adults of the water bear Hypsibius dujardini (Tardigrada) via incorporation of a thymidine analog. Tissue Cell 2018; 51:77-83. [PMID: 29622091 DOI: 10.1016/j.tice.2018.03.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/05/2018] [Revised: 02/12/2018] [Accepted: 03/10/2018] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
The taxon Tardigrada, commonly called "water bears", consists of microscopic, eight-legged invertebrates that are well known for their ability to tolerate extreme environmental conditions. Their miniscule body size means that tardigrades possess a small total number of cells, the number and arrangement of which may be highly conserved in some organs. Although mitoses have been observed in several organs, the rate and pattern of cell divisions in adult tardigrades has never been characterized. In this study, we incubated live tardigrades over a period of several days with a thymidine analog in order to visualize all cells that had divided during this time. We focus on the midgut, the largest part of the digestive system. Our results show that new cells in the midgut arise from the anterior and posterior ends of this organ and either migrate or divide toward its middle. These cells divide at a constant rate and all cells of the midgut epithelium are replaced in approximately one week. On the other hand, we found no cell divisions in the nervous system or any other major organs, suggesting that the cell turnover of these organs may be extremely slow or dependent on changing environmental conditions.
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Affiliation(s)
- V Gross
- Department of Zoology, Institute of Biology, University of Kassel, Heinrich-Plett-Straße 40, D-34132 Kassel, Germany.
| | - R Bährle
- Department of Zoology, Institute of Biology, University of Kassel, Heinrich-Plett-Straße 40, D-34132 Kassel, Germany
| | - G Mayer
- Department of Zoology, Institute of Biology, University of Kassel, Heinrich-Plett-Straße 40, D-34132 Kassel, Germany
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20
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21
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22
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Czerneková M, Jönsson KI, Chajec L, Student S, Poprawa I. The structure of the desiccated Richtersius coronifer (Richters, 1903). PROTOPLASMA 2017; 254:1367-1377. [PMID: 27677802 DOI: 10.1007/s00709-016-1027-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/26/2016] [Accepted: 09/12/2016] [Indexed: 06/06/2023]
Abstract
Tun formation is an essential morphological adaptation for entering the anhydrobiotic state in tardigrades, but its internal structure has rarely been investigated. We present the structure and ultrastructure of organs and cells in desiccated Richtersius coronifer by transmission and scanning electron microscopy, confocal microscopy, and histochemical methods. A 3D reconstruction of the body organization of the tun stage is also presented. The tun formation during anhydrobiosis of tardigrades is a process of anterior-posterior body contraction, which relocates some organs such as the pharyngeal bulb. The cuticle is composed of epicuticle, intracuticle and procuticle; flocculent coat; and trilaminate layer. Moulting does not seem to restrict the tun formation, as evidenced from tardigrade tuns that were in the process of moulting. The storage cells of desiccated specimens filled up the free inner space and surrounded internal organs, such as the ovary and digestive system, which were contracted. All cells (epidermal cells, storage cells, ovary cells, cells of the digestive system) underwent shrinkage, and their cytoplasm was electron dense. Lipids and polysaccharides dominated among reserve material of storage cells, while the amount of protein was small. The basic morphology of specific cell types and organelles did not differ between active and anhydrobiotic R. coronifer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michaela Czerneková
- School of Education and Environment, Kristianstad University, Kristianstad, Sweden.
- Institute of Physiology, Academy of Sciences of the Czech Republic, Prague, Czech Republic.
- Faculty of Medicine, Charles University, Prague, Czech Republic.
| | - K Ingemar Jönsson
- School of Education and Environment, Kristianstad University, Kristianstad, Sweden
| | - Lukasz Chajec
- Department of Animal Histology and Embryology, Silesian University, Katowice, Poland
| | - Sebastian Student
- Institute of Automatic Control, Silesian University of Technology, Gliwice, Poland
| | - Izabela Poprawa
- Department of Animal Histology and Embryology, Silesian University, Katowice, Poland
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