title: Comparing dynamic connective tissue in echinoderms and sponges: morphological and mechanical aspects and environmental sensitivity.
abstract: Echinoderms and sponges share a unique feature that helps them face predators and other environmental pressures. They both possess collagenous tissues with adaptable viscoelastic properties. In terms of morphology these structures are typical connective tissues containing collagen fibrils, fibroblast- and fibroclast-like cells, as well as unusual components such as, in echinoderms, neurosecretory-like cells that receive motor innervation. The mechanisms underpinning the adaptability of these tissues are not completely understood. Biomechanical changes can lead to an abrupt increase in stiffness (increasing protection against predation) or to the detachment of body parts (in response to a predator or to adverse environmental conditions) that are regenerated. Apart from these advantages, the responsiveness of echinoderm and sponge collagenous tissues to ionic composition and temperature makes them potentially vulnerable to global environmental changes.
authors.affiliation: Department of Biosciences, University of Milan, Via Celoria 26, 20133 Milan, Italy. Electronic address: michela.sugni@unimi.it.
authors.forename: Michela
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Sugni
authors.affiliation: Department of Biosciences, University of Milan, Via Celoria 26, 20133 Milan, Italy. Electronic address: dario.fassini@unimi.it.
authors.forename: Dario
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Fassini
authors.affiliation: Department of Biosciences, University of Milan, Via Celoria 26, 20133 Milan, Italy. Electronic address: alice.barbaglio@unimi.it.
authors.forename: Alice
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Barbaglio
authors.affiliation: Department of Biosciences, University of Milan, Via Celoria 26, 20133 Milan, Italy. Electronic address: anna.biressi@gmail.com.
authors.forename: Anna
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Biressi
authors.affiliation: Department of Biosciences, University of Milan, Via Celoria 26, 20133 Milan, Italy. Electronic address: cristiano.dibenedetto@unimi.it.
authors.forename: Cristiano
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Di Benedetto
authors.affiliation: Department of Biosciences, University of Milan, Via Celoria 26, 20133 Milan, Italy.
authors.forename: Serena
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Tricarico
authors.affiliation: Department of Biosciences, University of Milan, Via Celoria 26, 20133 Milan, Italy. Electronic address: francesco.bonasoro@unimi.it.
authors.forename: Francesco
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Bonasoro
authors.affiliation: Department of Life Sciences, Glasgow Caledonian University, Cowcaddens Rd, Glasgow G4 0BA, UK. Electronic address: i.wilkie@gcu.ac.uk.
authors.forename: Iain C
authors.initials: IC
authors.lastname: Wilkie
authors.affiliation: Department of Biosciences, University of Milan, Via Celoria 26, 20133 Milan, Italy. Electronic address: daniela.candia@unimi.it.
authors.forename: Maria Daniela
authors.initials: MD
authors.lastname: Candia Carnevali
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001696:Biomechanical Phenomena; D003238:Connective Tissue / Q000033:anatomy & histology* / Q000502:physiology* / Q000648:ultrastructure; D004777:Environment; D046529:Microscopy, Electron, Transmission; D047328:Paracentrotus / Q000033:anatomy & histology*; D011161:Porifera / Q000033:anatomy & histology*
keywords: Collagen; Echinoderms; Ionic strength; Mutable collagenous tissues; Sponges; Temperature