Silver impregnations, immunofluorescence microscopy, and electron microscopy of the nervous system of Velella confirm previous reports that there are two nerve nets, one composed of small and the other of "giant" neurites. Only one of these systems, the small-fibered open one, shows FMRFamide-like immunoreactivity. It appears to be primarily a sensory network. Despite presence of a neuropeptide in these neurons, they did not contain dense-cored vesicles. The "giant" nerve net (closed system) shows many connections that appear syncytial in the silver preparations. While it is confirmed that gap junctions are present between some neurites in the closed system, it is likely that fusion of neurites also occurs and that the system is a partial syncytium. Membrane complexes with gap junctions are abundant in the cytoplasm. It is suggested that fusion occurs by the engulfment of small neurons by large, resulting in an excess of cell membrane, which is internalized with gap junctions still intact. These internalized membranes appear to break up into vesicles eventually. A similar process may occur in the "giant" swimming motor neuron net of the medusa Polyorchis.
Copyright © 1988 Wiley-Liss, Inc.