Observations on the Surface Structure of Aurelia solida (Scyphozoa) Polyps and Medusae

• Published in: Diversity (Basel) Vol. 13; no. 6; p. 244
• Main Authors: Turk, Valentina, Fortič, Ana, Kos Kramar, Maja, Tušek Žnidarič, Magda, Štrus, Jasna, Kostanjšek, Rok, Malej, Alenka
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Basel MDPI AG 2021
• Subjects: Aurelia solida; Cilia; Discharge; Electron microscopy; Ethanol; medusa; Mucin; Mucins; Mucus; Nematocysts; Organisms; polyp; Polyps; Polyps (organisms); Scanning electron microscopy; scanning electron microscopy (SEM); Scyphozoa; Seawater; Secretions; Stains & staining; surface microlayer; Surface structure; Transmission electron microscopy; Indian Ocean; Adriatic Sea
• ISSN: 1424-2818; 1424-2818
• DOI: 10.3390/d13060244

The surface structures and mucus layers that form an interface between the epithelial layer of organisms and their external environment were studied in the bloom-forming moon jellyfish (Aurelia solida, Scyphozoa) from the northern Adriatic. The surface of the polyps revealed epithelial ciliated cells and numerous nematocysts, both non-discharged and discharged. Cilia were also the most prominent features on the surface of adult medusa, protruding from the epidermal cells and with microvilli surrounding the base. Histochemical methods and various microscopy techniques (light/epifluorescence and electron microscopy) confirmed the presence of abundant mucus around polyps and on the surfaces of adult medusa, and that the mucus contained acidic and neutral mucins. The observed mucus secretions on the exumbrella surface of the medusae were in the form of granules, flocs, and sheets. Scanning electron microscopy and transmission electron microscopy analyses confirmed the presence of various microbes in the mucus samples, but not on the epithelial surfaces of the polyps or the exumbrella of the medusae.