The mode of allo-recognition among colonies was investigated in a viviparous ascidian, Botrylloides lentus. Each embryo is enveloped by a pouch of epithelial cells (brood pouch), and is brooded in the vascular lumen of the parental colony. That is, the parental colony tolerates the presence of semi-allogeneic conspecifics (embryos) in the vascular system. A rejection reaction occurs when incompatible colonies are brought into contact at their growing edges. The inflammatory rejection reaction is limited to a small area where the tunic of two colonies has partially fused. On the contrary, incompatible colonies fuse and their blood vessels become interconnected with one another, when they are brought into contact at artificially cut surfaces. This mode is the same as those of other viviparous species of Botrylloides, B. fuscus and B. violaceus. A relationship between viviparity and the loss of allo-recognition in the vascular system is suggested.
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31 December 2024
Fusion between incompatible colonies of a viviparous ascidian, Botrylloides lentus
Makiko Okuyama,
Yasunori Saito,
Euichi Hirose
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self or non-self recognition
subcuticular rejection
surgical fusion