Putative sense organs on the pallial tentacles of the limpet, Patella vulgata (L.).

The structure and ultrastructure of ciliary tufts on the pallial tentacles of the limpet Patella vulgata (L.) are described. The tip of each tentacle is covered by a dense crown of tufts and additional tufts can be seen scattered evenly across the surface of each tentacle. The cilia are nonmotile and nerve fibres run from the base of the ciliated cells suggesting a sensory function. Comparisons are made with ciliary tufts found in a Pacific species of limpet, Acmaea scutum, and other molluscan sensory structures.