Structure of nematocysts isolated from the fire corals Millepora alcicornis andMillepora complanata (Cnidaria: Hydrozoa)

García-Arredondo A (1, 2), Rojas A (1), Iglesias-Prieto R (3), Zepeda-Rodriguez A (4), Palma-Tirado L (5)

(1) Laboratory of Chemical and Pharmacological Natural Products Research, School of Chemistry, Autonomous University of Querétaro, Querétaro, Mexico; (2) Postgraduate Program in Marine Sciences and Limnology, National Autonomous University of Mexico, Mexico City, Mexico; (3) Puerto Morelos Academic Unit, Institute of Marine Sciences and Limnology, National Autonomous University of Mexico, Cancun, Mexico; (4) Department of Cell and Tissue Physiology, School of Medicine, National Autonomous University of Mexico, Mexico City, Mexico; (5) Microscopy Unit, Institute of Neurobiology, National Autonomous University of Mexico, Querétaro, Mexico.

Abstract: Structural characteristics of discharged and undischarged nematocysts from the hydrozoans Millepora alcicornis andMillepora complanata, two fire corals collected in the Mexican Caribbean, were examined using transmission electron, scanning and light microscopy. In this study, we report for the first time images of the nematocysts found in these Mexican Caribbean venomous species. Two types of nematocysts were observed in both species, the more abundant identified as macrobasic mastigophore and the other a stenotele type. Macrobasic mastigophores were present in medium and large size classes while stenoteles appeared in only one size.

Key words: hydrocoral, nematocysts, microscopy images, macrobasic mastigophore, stenotele.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

Alejandro García-Arredondo acknowledges a scholarship from CONACYT. The authors thank: Claudia Moreira and Florencia Colombo (Unidad Académica Puerto Morelos, Instituto de Ciencias del Mar y Limnología, UNAM) for collection of M. complanata and M. alcicornis specimens; Francisco Pasos Nájera (Departamento de Fisiología Celular y Tisular, UNAM) for his assistance in the SEM studies; Reynaldo Pless, Ph.D. for valuable suggestions during the process of writing the paper; and Edgar P. Heimer de la Cotera (Instituto de Neurobiología, UNAM) for his valuable comments and ideas.

COPYRIGHT

© CEVAP 2012

SUBMISSION STATUS

Received: August 12, 2011.

Accepted: November 3, 2011.

Abstract published online: November 28, 2011.

Full paper published online: February 28, 2012.

CONFLICTS OF INTEREST

The authors declare no conflicts of interest.

FINANCIAL SOURCE

This work was supported by grant CB-2009-01 (project 133785) to Alejandra Rojas from the Consejo Nacional de Ciencia y Tecnología (CONACYT).

ETHICS COMMITTEE APPROVAL

The present research was conducted according to and with the approval of the National Commission of Aquaculture and Fishing, The Secretary of Agriculture, Livestock, Rural Development, Fishing and Feeding of Mexican Federal Government (permission number DGOPA.04609.120508.1123).

CORRESPONDENCE TO

Alejandro García Arredondo, Laboratorio de Investigación Química y Farmacológica de Productos Naturales, Facultad de Química, Universidad Autónoma de Querétaro, Centro Universitario, Cerro de las Campanas, Col. Centro, 76010, Querétaro, Qro., México. Phone: +52 442 1921200, ext. 5527. Email: alejandro.gr@uaq.mx.