Sub-topic #3: Types of Nematocysts

• Haplonemes

  • have smaller capsules and their spines are mostly absent
• Haplonemes

  • they have no noticeable differentiation between thread and shaft
• Spirocyst

  • present only in Anthozoa and lacks Spikes and Barbs but have adhesive threads radiation from tubule
• Spirocyst

  • if undischarged, the thread is super coiled
• Atrichous Isorhiza

  • without spines
• Holotrichous Isorhiza

  • have spines occurring the entire length of the thread
• Desmoneme

  • long thread which wraps around the prey once ejected
• Desmoneme

  • not needle-like
• Determine the different types of Haplonemes:

  (a) Spirocyst

  (b) Atrichous Isorhiza

  (c) Holotrichous Isorhiza

  (d) Desmoneme

  
• Heteroneme

  • larger types of nematocysts in which the thread is not uniform and shaft is a prominent feature
• Heteroneme

  • always have spines
• Mastigophore

  • shaft is thicker than the thread and uses penetrants to capture prey
• Eurytele

  • its basal tube is enlarged while the shaft is thick and dilated
• Birhophaloid

  • its shaft has a distal and proximal dilations
• Birhophaloid

  • Its spines are not uniformly located along the full length of the thread but are instead focused along some points.
• Stenotele

  • has large penetrating spines called sytlet
• Stenotele

  • shaft is significantly larger than desmoneme
• Determine the different types of Heteronemes:

  (e) Mastigophore

  (f) Eurytele

  (g) Birhophaloid

  (h) Stenotele