Cytological study of the hemopoietic organ in the crab: Carcinus maenas (L.) (Crustacea, Decapoda) .
Bazin, F.
Archives d'Anatomie Microscopique et de Morphologie Experimentale 68(3): 141-158
1979
ISSN/ISBN: 0003-9594 PMID: 547885 Document Number: 145991
A cytological observation, using conventional fixing and staining, is made on the hemopoietic tissue in the crab, C. maenas. The hemopoietic organ is formed by nodules grouping different cell types; nodules are surrounded by a limiting layer including collagenous filaments and materials looking like basal lamina. Some fibrocytes and semigranulous hemocytes line this limiting layer. These hemocytes, more or less flattened, transform in fibrocytes. Fibroblast-like cells, with well developed intercellular junctions, are the 1st cell type: their dedifferentiation gives rise to isolated mitotic cells. These mitotic cells are named hemocytoblasts. They are stem cells for hyaline hemocytes. Fibroblast-like cells can be compared with reticular cells in insects. Uncertainty exists as to the formation and evolution of nodules.