Cell lineage of the prototroch of Patella vulgata (Gastropoda, Mollusca)

The trochophore larva of the archaeogastropod mollusc Patella vulgata has a well-developed locomotory organ, the ciliated prototroch. This structure is formed from specific founder cells, the trochoblasts. Two methods were employed to determine the composition and cell lineage of the prototroch. Fluorescent cell-lineage tracer injection in trochoblasts and trochoblast founder cells was used to show how the various trochoblasts became incorporated into the prototroch. Scanning electron microscopy was used to study both differentiation, more specifically ciliation, of trochoblasts and localization of trochoblasts in the prototroch. The results obtained with both methods are in accordance with each other. During early development all trochoblasts involved in prototroch formation become cell cycle-arrested and develop cilia. Subsequently, the trochoblasts shift in position to form a circular prototroch and a number of trochoblasts deciliate. As a result of these processes the mature prototroch consists of a number of heavily ciliated cells as well as a number of deciliated cells. Comparison of prototrochs from a number of spiralian species shows that this structure is very conserved during evolution. The significance of this is discussed.