A polar filament is a structure found in the
polar capsule of
myxosporean organisms.
It is analogous to the "penetrant" structure found in
cnidocytes.
The polar filament is coiled along the inner wall of the polar capsule, and is capable of rapid extrusion, during which it everts "inside-out". When everted, it is sticky, and likely serves to hold the spore onto the intestinal wall of the prospective host, and to help separate the valves of the spore.
The polar filament is important in species classification. In some species of
Ceratomyxa
''Ceratomyxa'' is a genus of myxozoan.
Species
The following species are recognized:
* '' Ceratomyxa abbreviata'' (Davis, 1917)
* '' Ceratomyxa acanthopagri'' (Zhao & Song, 2003)
* '' Ceratomyxa acanthuri'' Kpatcha, Diebakate, Faye & Toguebay ...
, the polar filament forms a straight basal section, which the rest of the filament coils around, while in the genus
Sphaeromyxa
''Sphaeromyxa'' is a genus of cnidarians belonging to the family Sphaeromyxidae.
The species of this genus are found in Europe and Northern America.
Species
Species:
*'' Sphaeromyxa arcuata''
*'' Sphaeromyxa argentinensis''
*'' Sphaeromyx ...
, the filament is folded in a zig-zag arrangement rather than being coiled.
References
Animal anatomy
Myxozoa
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