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Connections between the decorated spongiome and the smooth spongiome
are not often observed. However, in this micrograph, which is of the
same ampulla as shown in Figure 2, decorated tubules (ds) are
seen to be connected together at one end into a common duct and this
duct enters the smooth spongiome meshwork near an ampulla
(amp). Thus fluid and/or ions crossing the decorated tubule
membrane will be able to flow into the smooth spongiome (ss)
and then into the collecting canal (cc). Fluid accumulating in
the collecting canals will then move to or through an ampulla to the
CV when the CV is in contact with the collecting canal. Electrical
measurements of CVC capacitance show that the decorated tubules and
smooth spongiome are all part of one continuous electrically connected
membrane system (Tominaga, Allen and Naitoh, J. Exp. Biol.
201:451-460, 1998). EM taken on 2/27/80 by R. Allen with Hitachi HU11A
TEM. Neg. 8,500X. Bar = 0.5µm. Part published in J. Protozool.
35:63-71, 1988.
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