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Histochemistry, refractometry, and fine structure of excretory globules in larval Malpighian tubes ofMelipona quadrifasciata (Hym., Apoidea)

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Summary

The authors have studied excretory globules in the Malpighian tubes ofMelipona larvae. By means of histochemical methods for fats, micro-interferometry and electron microscopy, glycerides surrounded by a lipoprotein or phospholipid layer were tentatively recognized in the globules. They resemble in composition the brochosomes reported in Homoptera and are found in the cell borders and in the lumina of the tubes. Yellow-green autofluorescent granules are seen within the cells, in the honeycomb borders and in the lumina of the tubes. It was not determined whether there are two distinct kinds of globules or only one kind in different physiological stages.

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Author notes

  1. Maria Luiza S. Mello

    Present address: Departamento de Genética, Faculdade de Medicina, Ribeirao PrÊto, S.P.

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Departamento de Genética, Faculdade de Medicina, Ribeirao PrÊto, S.P.

    L. Bozzo

  2. Departamento de Patologia, Faculdade de Farmácia e Odontologia, Piracicaba, S.P., Brasil

    Maria Luiza S. Mello & L. Bozzo

Authors
  1. Maria Luiza S. Mello
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  2. L. Bozzo
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Additional information

This research was partly supported by FundaÇÃo de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de SÃo Paulo.

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Mello, M.L.S., Bozzo, L. Histochemistry, refractometry, and fine structure of excretory globules in larval Malpighian tubes ofMelipona quadrifasciata (Hym., Apoidea). Protoplasma 68, 241–251 (1969). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01251612

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01251612

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