The characterization of granular amoebocytes and their possible roles in the asexual reproduction of the polystyelid ascidian, Polyzoa vesiculiphora

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Abstract
The blood cells in the bud and the zooid of the polystyelid ascidian, Polyzoa vesiculiphora, were examined by means of light and electron microscopy to identify the cells that have been named trophocytes. The large blood cells were abundant in the mesenchymal space of the bud, but not in that of the functional zooid. They contained glycogen particles, lipid droplets, large protein granules and autophagosomes in their cytoplasm and were identified as granular amoebocytes. The majority of these cells were specifically phagocytized by phagocytes during bud development and disappeared. These results indicate that the granular amoebocytes virtually represent trophocytes in Polyzoa and may participate in bud development via nutrient supply to the developing tissues.