Reference: Bio/. Bull.. 153: 618-629. (December, 1977) TEMPERATURE DEPENDENT CILIARY RHYTHMICITY IN MYTILUS EDULIS AND THE EFFECTS OF MONOAMINERGIC AGENTS ON ITS MANIFESTATION GEORGE B. STEFANO, 1 EDWARD J. CATAPANE,* AND JUDITH M. STEFANO 3 Department of Biological Sciences, Fordliam University, Bronx, New York 10458 Some ciliated cells are directly influenced by temperature changes. In Myfilns (diilis the same relationship can be demonstrated for frontal cilia of isolated gill filaments (Gray, 1929; Hirasaka, Hoshi and Nagumo, 1957; Hoshi and Hoshi-yama, 1963). Lateral cilia of isolated gill of M. cdulis exhibit this temperature effect only if they are first stimulated to beat by the addition of exogenous agents (Aiello, 1960). The need for artificial stimulation to induce lateral ciliary activity of isolated, denervated gill suggests the presence of endogenous innervation mechanisms. Lateral ciliary activity of M. cdulis is known to be peripherally dependent on serotonin and dopamine (Aiello, 1962, 1970; Gosselin, 1961; Gosselin, Moore and Milton, 1962; Aiello and Guideri, 1964, 1965, 1966; Paparo and Aiello, 1970). Electrical stimulations of the branchial nerve can either excite or depress lateral ciliary activity (Aiello and Guideri, 1966; Paparo and Aiello, 1970). Recent morphological pharmacology studies (Stefano and Aiello, 1975; Stefano, Catapane and Aiello, 1976) and investigations into the central nervous system (CNS) regulation of ciliary activity (Catapane, Aiello and Stefano, 1974; Catapane, 1976; Catapane, Stefano and Aiello. 1976) have shown that the CNS is composed in part of serotonergic and dopaminergic neurons. The majority of the serotonin content of gill is dependent upon axonal transport of tryptophan hydroxylase from the CNS ria the branchial nerve. Environmental temperature changes produce changes in endogenous serotonin levels which appear to change first in the CNS (Stefano and Catapane, 1977a). The evidence suggests a dual antagonistic innervation of the lateral ciliated cells originating from the cerebral and visceral ganglia. The present study sought to investigate the nervous control of lateral ciliary activity in nature as well as in the laboratory. The possibility of rhythmic activity was examined, along with several environmental factors which may influence it. MATERIALS AND METHODS Field study Subtidal specimens of M. cdnlis were observed -in locus at Island Beach State Park, New Jersey, by means of scuba diving. During dark hours a portable underwater light was used. Slightly open animals were selected for use. Their 1 Present address : Department of Biological Sciences, New York City Community College, The City University of New York, Brooklyn, New York 11201. 2 Present address : Department of Natural Sciences, Medgar Evers College, The City University of New York, Brooklyn, New York 11225. 3 Present address: Montefiore Hospital and Medical Center, Bronx, New York 10467. 618
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