Morphology of isolated crustacean larval salt glands

Larval salt glands isolated from the naupliar brine shrimp (Artemia salina) were examined using light microscopy and scanning and transmission electron microscopy. These methods demonstrated that most cellular and subcellular features of the in vitro organ compared favorably with those seen in vivo. This salt gland measures 130 micron in diameter and is comprised of 50-70 secretory cells, which are of a single epithelial cell type. Characteristic ultrastructural features that are well preserved include apical to basal cell polarity, apical plasma membrane projections, and the extent of the basolateral tubular labyrinth and its association with numerous mitochondria. Some features that have been altered are a decrease in cell-cell contact, separation of septate junctions, and expansion of tubular labyrinth lumens and mitochondrial cristae. Use of this preparation has allowed examination of the salt gland cell's hemocoelic surface for the first time and provided information about the ultrastructure of the tufts formed by the apical plasma membrane.