STUDIES ON WOUND HEALING AND REGENERATION OF THE SIPHONS OF THE BIVALVE DONAX SERRA (RÖDING)

SUMMARY

Wound healing of the inhalant siphon of Donax serra, after amputation of the tip, is complete within 48 hours. Immediately after wounding, the inner and outer epithelial layers of the siphon wall are drawn together, at the tip only, preventing blood loss. The lesion is then plugged by connective tissue before being completely sealed by growth of new epithelium. Once the wound is sealed, regeneration of the siphon tentacles commences, the tentacles growing to their original size within five days.