A PRELIMINARY-STUDY OF HEPATOPANCREAS ULTRASTRUCTURE IN IDOTEA-BALTHICA (ISOPODA)

In isopods, the hepatopancreas has three major functions: (i) secretio n and excretion of digestive enzymes, (ii) main site of food absorptio n, and (iii) main deposit of metabolic reserves (essentially lipids an d carbohydrates, but also metals). It consists of two types of epithel ial cells, the nomenclature, ultrastructure, and function of which are still debated. Previous studies concern mainly terrestrial isopods, w hereas data on aquatic species are scarce. This study reports further SEM and TEM observations on the ultrastructure of the hepatopancreas o f Idotea balthica, a widespread isopod, which is an important link in marine food webs of the coastal areas.