0023-6152

AA00697606

24109

査読無

0023-6152

AA00697606

The ultrastructure of the porose areas and their accessory glands was investigated in Haermphysaliis longicornis. The porose areas symmetrically located on the dorsal surface of the basis capituli are openings of their accessory glands. The cuticle of the basis capituli is penetrated by the duct, the mid-region of which has a valve-like structure. In the unfed stage the duct cells, secretory cells and sheath cells are present just below the cuticle. As feeding proceeds, duct cells and external sheath cells extend very long and their distal end reach the anterior idiosomal cavity. Abundant microtubules traversing the cytoplasm of duct cells and sheath cells may have a mechanical role maintaining endurance of the cells during extreme extension. Secretory cells hypertrophy during feeding and become a simple branched acinar gland consisting of 6-8 acini at the distal end of duct cells during oviposition. Rough endoplasmic reticulum, Golgi complexes, secretory granules undergoing exocytosis suggest that secretory cells have a protein-synthesis ability. Secretions discharged into the secretory canaliculi are released into the duct lumen and out from the pore of the porose areas. These presumably influence egg wax and/or hatching in natural environmental conditions under which deposited eggs are exposed.