MORPHOLOGY OF THE HAGFISH INNER-EAR

The inner ear of five species of hagfishes was examined with different light and electron microscopical techniques. In all species, the Laby rinth contains a single macula and two cristae, in a single semicircul ar canal. The macula consists of a horizontal, a middle vertical and a posterior horizontal component. Each component is covered by numerous round statoconia. The ring-shaped cristae have very long kinocilia, b ut lack a proper cupula. The sensory epithelia show signs of regenerat ion, indicated by the presence of mitoses and apoptotic hair cells. (C ) 1998 The Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences. Published by Elsevier Sc ience Ltd. All rights reserved.