Follicle Cells of Styela plicata Eggs (Ascidiacea)

Styela plicata eggs are surrounded by large follicle cells that at LM appear as highly vacuolated and columnar in shape; at the apical end of each cell lies a very large and clear vacuole, half of which extends inward. Electron microscope observations show a Single layer of largely spaced box-like follicle cells; the close cell-cell contact at their base is realized by interdigitations. The cell surface shows a peculiar structure, more developed in the latero-basal regions, consisting of a complex of membrane extensions, i.e. microvilli, filopodia and lamellipodia. Filopodia irradiate in all directions towards the adjacent cells and the outermost vitelline coat, thus creating a complex netw…