ISSN:
1572-9702
Keywords:
Ticks
;
Hyalomma truncatum
;
spiracles
;
morphology
;
structural organization
Source:
Springer Online Journal Archives 1860-2000
Topics:
Biology
Notes:
Abstract Scanning electron microscopical investigations of fractures and corrosion casts of spirales in adult ticks of Hyalomma truncatum revealed a three-part structure consisting of the spiracular plate forming the outer part followed by the subostial space, which leads into the atrial chamber from which the main tracheal trunks arise. The spiracular plate sonsists of a thin surface plate perforated by aeropyles, an underlying interpedicellar space formed by pedicels and an inner thick base plate. The surface plate is subdivided into a porous and a non-porous area. The macula is surrounded by the porous area and cleft by the ostium, which is bounded by a lip. The lip rests on a stalk which passes through the subostial space and forms the lateral wall of the atrial chamber. The interpedicellar space is chambered comprising four types of chambers. Large pyriform chambers (type 1) open to the atmosphere via a large aeropyle and are connected at their base with a duct traversing the base plate. They correspond numerically and in their position with the large aeropyles and the ducts of the base plate. Each chamber is surrounded by four to six medium-sized tubular chambers (type 2) which are closed at both ends. Small tubular chambers (type 3) open to the atmosphere via a small aeropyle, are closed at their base and correspond in number and position to the small aeropyles. Elongated chambers (type 4) are arranged in two to three rows around the subostial space and are closed at both ends. The front row communicates with the subostial space via large gaps. All chambers interconnect with each other by slit-like fenestrations. Below the macula and surrounding the stalk is the subostial space. Over the medial half, the subostial space opens into the atrial chamber. The lateral wall of the atrial chamber is thick, whereas the opposite wall is thin, folded and can be everted and inverted. Inverted, the medial wall closes up the opening to the subostial space and the main tracheal trunks. The base of the atrial chamber sonsists of the openings of the main tracheal trunks only. It is concluded that the aeropyles constitute the functional openings of a spiracle, the interpedicellar space and the subostial space act as diffusion barrier and the atrial chamber is exclusively responsible for the motory process of in- and expiration and is the only closing device of the spiracle.
Type of Medium:
Electronic Resource
URL:
http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/BF00052620
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