Ultrastructure of the midgut and hindgut of Derocheilocaris remanei (Crustacea, Mystacocarida)

ABSTRACT Ultrastructural features and structure of the midgut and hindgut of Derocheilocaris remanei were studied. The large endodermal midgut is differentiated into an anterior midgut and a posterior midgut separated by a conspicuous constriction. Both circular and longitudinal striated muscle bands surround the midgut, while the hindgut only presents longitudinal muscles. The limit between the midgut and the cuticle-lined hindgut is marked by a rectal valve. In cross-section, the short hindgut is triradiate and has a distinct Y-shaped lumen. The hindgut cuticular lining appears interrupted at the tip of every branch of the Y. Three different cell types are found in the midgut epithelium: basally located undifferentiated cells that give rise to the other two specialized cell types; secretory zymogen-like cells responsible for extracellular digestion and located mainly in the anterior midgut; and vacuolated cells, distributed all along the midgut and appearing to have several functions, including absorption, intracellular digestion, and nutrient transport. A single basic cell type forms the hindgut epithelium. The suggested function for the hindgut is the transport and ejection of waste products. J. Morphol. 244:177–189, 2000 © 2000 Wiley-Liss, Inc.