Author(s): Fayez A.M. Shoukr
Article publication date: 1996-04-01
Vol. 14 No. 1 (yearly), pp. 205-221.
118
Keywords
electron microscopy, mucous cells, tentacles
Abstract
The sea anemone Anemonia sulcata (Pennant), inhabiting marine-waters of Egypt can sting human skin by their numerous adherent tentacles. They cause erythema, urticaria, itching and scattered patches of dermatitis over the abdomen and hands during swimming or collection of specimens. Tentacles of this species are firstly studied by transmission electron microscopy in Egypt. The present paper describes the ultrastructure of two types of cnidae and mucous cells. The cnidae include the adhesive spirocysts and the stinging nematocysts namely micro basic b-mastigophores. The structure and function of these specialized cells are discussed.