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We documented changes in the abundance and distribution patterns of tunic cells involved in the allorecognition response of the colonial aplousobranch Didemnum vexillum, whose zooids do not share a common vascular system. A histological examination of the fusion zone of isogeneic (CIAs) and allogeneic (CAAs) fused colony assays revealed that tunic cuticles were rapidly regenerated. The underlying tunic matrix fused readily in all assays and controls. We identified four different types of tunic cells. Phagocytic cells represented the most abundant cell type in allogeneic fusions, followed by morula cells. These cells were more abundant at the immediate fusion junction than at 120 μm or 240 μm from the junction, most likely because they mediate the allorecognition reaction. Elongated filopodial cells also were present, although only at very low abundances, and a layer of bladder cells was located immediately below the cuticle. Our results provide quantitative evidence for the involvement of tunic cells in the allorecognition response of a highly invasive ascidian. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The transport speed of latex spheres trapped in the mucous feeding filter of 30 specimens of Calvelina lepadiformis (Müller 1776) was measured by microscopical examination and a stop watch. The speed across the gill screen increased from 24 μm s-1 in small animals to 220 μm s-1 in large ones. The net translocation speed of the food roll behind the dorsal lamina was generally much slower but revealed a similar trend (7 – 78 μm s-1). The increased feeding filter speed in larger animals was parallelled by an increased branchial circumference in such a way that the duration of water filtration through each part of the filter remained almost constant (between 38 and 56 s as means for all groups of animals). The amount of filter secreted by large animals approached 150 cm² h-1 or 2.5 m² week-1. Based on available data on water filtration rates it could be calculated that the speed of water through the filter was of the same order of magnitude as the observed translocation speed of the filter. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]