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Article: Functional and biochemical properties of the Hemoglobins of the burrowing brittle star Hemipholis elongata Say (Echinodermata, Ophiuroidea).(Physiology and Biomechanics)
- Article from:
- The Biological Bulletin
- Article date:
- August 1, 2003
- Author:
CopyrightCOPYRIGHT 2003 Marine Biological Laboratory. This material is published under license from the publisher through the Gale Group, Farmington Hills, Michigan. All inquiries regarding rights should be directed to the Gale Group. (Hide copyright information)
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Introduction
The hemoglobin of the burrowing brittle star Hemipholis elongata Say (Echinodermata, Ophiuroidea) is contained in anucleate coelomocytes (red blood cells, RBCs) present in the water vascular system (WVS) (Hajduk and Cosgrove, 1975; Hajduk, 1992; unpubl.data). The presence of RBCs in the WVS imparts a bright red color to the tube feet, which are external projections of the WVS, and readily distinguishes H. elongata from other burrowing ophiuroids (family Amphiuridae) occurring in the same locations. RBCs and the fluid of the WVS are circulated throughout the body by a series of synchronous contractions of the tube feet (Beardsley and Colacino, 1998). ...