Qualitative and Quantitative Study of Wound Healing Processes in the Coelenterate,Plexaurella fusifera:Spatial, Temporal, and Environmental (Light Attenuation) Influences

doi:10.1006/jipa.1999.4851

Journal of Invertebrate Pathology

Volume 73, Issue 3, May 1999, Pages 321-331

https://doi.org/10.1006/jipa.1999.4851 Get rights and content

Abstract

Following injury, the Caribbean soft coral,Plexaurella fusifera,forms an epithelial front containing amoebocytes and zooxanthellae, a photosynthetic endosymbiont. Amoebocytes may be responsible for extruding the connective mesogleal fibers necessary for regeneration of tissue and zooxanthellae may provide the energy for repair. This study examined the effects of time, space, and environment (light attenuation) on wound healing in this coral species and quantitatively confirmed the increase of amoebocyte concentrations in the injured area. A wound was made on coral branchlets by removing ∼4.5 mm of coenenchyme. At assigned times after injury, samples were collected for gross morphological and histological evaluation, in which amoebocytes and zooxanthellae concentrations were quantified within 0.009 mm³of tissue. Overall amoebocyte numbers within uninjured and wounded tissue were similar. However, when numbers of amoebocytes per area of injured tissue were calculated and compared to those of uninjured tissue, 82.4% more amoebocytes occurred at distances 0–0.5 mm from the wound edge, while areas of tissue >2 mm from the wound edge were occupied by fewer amoebocytes. Overall increases in concentrations of zooxanthellae also occurred within wounded coral, but no apparent temporal, spatial, or light-related pattern was detected. Therefore, this study supports the conjecture that amoebocyte accumulation at a wound site is an effect of cells migrating from uninjured tissue adjacent to the wounded edge. In addition, this movement occurs regardless of light attenuation. Light, which in this study was confined to ranges between 70 and 545 μE s⁻¹m⁻², did not significantly affect the wound healing process in regard to either closure or cellular concentrations.

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Regular ArticleQualitative and Quantitative Study of Wound Healing Processes in the Coelenterate,Plexaurella fusifera:Spatial, Temporal, and Environmental (Light Attenuation) Influences☆

Abstract

J. Invertebr. Pathol.

Sublethal effects of ethylene dibromide on wound healing and morphogenesis inHydra oligactis

Arch. Environ. Contamination Toxicol.

Calcification and photosynthesis in reef-building corals and algae

Ecosystems of the World,” Vol. 25, Coral Reefs

The nerve-net ofMetridium senile:

Q. J. Microsc. Sci.

The Shallow Water Octocorallia of the West Indian Region

Studies on the anatomy and histology ofPlexaura homomalla

Stud. Trop. Oceanogr. Miami

Cellular defense systems of the Coelenterata

Inflammation

Cnidarian Histology

Studies of the Mesoglea of Coelenterates. I. Histology and chemical properties

Q. J. Microsc. Sci.

The structure of the gorgonian coralPseudoplexaura crassa

Proc. Am. Acad.

Staining Procedures

Absorption and utilization of radiant energy by light- and shade-adapted colonies of the hermatypic coralStylophora pistillata

Proc. R. Soc. Lond. B.

Irradiance and corals

Temperature stress causes host cell detachment in symbiotic Cnidarians: Implications for coral bleaching

Biol. Bull.

Immunological specificity and memory in a scleractinian coral

Nature

Regular Article
Qualitative and Quantitative Study of Wound Healing Processes in the Coelenterate,Plexaurella fusifera:Spatial, Temporal, and Environmental (Light Attenuation) Influences☆