Classification and Ultrastructure of Hemocytes in the Tunicate Halocynthia roretzi (Ascidiacea: Pyuridae)

摘要

The hemocytes of the tunicate Halocynthia roretzi are classified into six types based on their size, cellular form, and fine structure of the cytoplasmic granules: hyalinocytes, granulocytes, phagocytes, nephrocytes, morula cells, and multi-vacuole cells. Based on cell size, they are ordered multi-vacuole cells (7.5 mu,m)>nephrocytes (7.1 um)>phagocytes (6.8 mum)>granulocytes (6.1 jj,m)>morula cells (5.7 (im)>hyalinocytes (5.4 mum). The proportion of hemocytes is ranked in the order multi-vacuole cells (54.8%)>nephrocytes (16.9%)>granulocytes (9.9%)>morula cells (8.8%)>phagocytes (6.1%)>hyalinocytes (3.5%).