Abstract
From differences in size and cytoplasmic features, the mucous cells of two cottids, Pseudoblennius cottoides and Furcina sp., are divided into two distinct types, i.e.small and large mucous cells.The fine structure of these two types, however, shows no gross differences between the two species.As in the majority of mucous cells, small mucous cells possess well-developed rough-surfaced endoplasmic reticula and a considerable number of Golgi complexes, and thus mucogenesis of these cells seems to be performed by cooper-ation of the above-mentioned two organelles.Large mucous cells, contrary to the former type, have no well-developed rough-surfaced endoplasmic reticula, but a number of Golgi complexes and an abundance of mitochondria.Accordingly, formation of mucous droplets in large mucous cells is conjectured to be carried out by somewhat different process from that of small mucous cells.In this case, Golgi complexes probably have the most im-portant role.The presence of desmosomal attachments between the large mucous cells and adjacent filament-containing cells may be noticeable.The contents of these two types of mucous cells seem to be not very different from each other.The skin epidermis of the present two cottids is endowed with sacciform granulated cells in addition to the above-mentioned two secretory glands.
