MORPHOLOGICAL-STUDIES OF THE SOFT-TISSUES INVOLVED IN SKELETAL DISSOLUTION IN THE CORAL FUNGIA FUNGITES

Light and transmission electron microscopy were used to study mechanis ms involved in the separation of the disc from the stalk in juvenile F ungia fungites (Scleractinia, Fungiidae). Separation occurs because th e skeleton is weakened by dissolution across a distinct plane at the j unction of the stalk and disc. The tissue layer adjacent to the skelet on in the stalk was composed of typical, squamose, calicoblastic cells . In contrast, calicoblastic cells in the region of skeletal dissoluti on were tall and columnar. They contained many microvilli, abundant mi tochondria and several different types of vesicles. It is assumed that these calicoblastic cells are actively involved in skeletal dissoluti on.