A preliminary account of the general and enzyme histochemistry ofSiboglinum atlanticumand other Pogonophora

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Abstract
An account is given of the distribution of certain polysaccharides, lipids and proteins in the tissues ofSiboglinum atlanticum,a uni-tentaculate pogonophore collected from depths of 1300–1500 m on the continental slope. The histology of the various glands and cells is described, and the structure and histochemistry of the tentacle compared with that of three multitentaculate species of pogonophores collected from similar habitats.Esterases hydrolysinganaphthyl acetate and o-acetyl-bromoindoxyl are found in most tissues ofSiboglinumafter formalin fixation. An eserine-sensitive esterase was present in the dorsal ciliated band, mostly close to the bases of the cilia. An organophosphorus-resistant esterase was widely distributed as scattered particles in the subcuticular region of the epidermis of the tentacle and anterior end. The other tissues, including the epidermal glands, blood vessels, muscles and peritoneum, contained a simple B-esterase which was closely associated with lipid globules; the nerve fibre B-esterase was not associated with lipid and its apparent sensitivity to copper illustrates one aspect of the difficulty of applying mammalian esterase subdivisions to invertebrates. Lipids form the main food reserve, and appear to have a dominant role in the metabolism.Pogonophores do not possess a gut at any stage in their life, and must take up food through the epidermis, whether or not it is first digested. The epidermal glands do not appear to have any digestive function. The multicellular pyriform glands secrete fibres of chitin and acid mucopolysaccharide, and produce the major part of the tube in which the animal lives. The unicellular glands are of several types, but most of them, apart from some simple mucous glands, appear to take part in tube formation, secreting mucopolysaccharides or mucopolysaccharides and protein.