Journal article

Publication year: 1979

Pages: 301-315

Journal: Journal of general and applied entomology

Volume number: 5

Issue number: 4

ISSN: 0171-8177

eISSN: 2363-7102

Publisher: Schweizerbart Science Publishers

Abstract: 
The larvae of the saline fly, E. riparia (Fallen 1813) have 2 pairs of Malpighian tubules. At least the anterior pair exhibits 3 different parts. The distal region of the Malpighian tubules is built up of very flat and extremely flat cells. These cells have only few microvilli, and many cytopemptic vesicles originating from the apices of the invaginations of the basal plasmalemma. The primary urine in this bloated lumen consists of solid concrements, which show distinct concentric layers and a radial striation. The cells of the proximal main segment and all the cells of the posterior pair of tubules are not flattened. In this region 2 different types of cells are discernible (main cells and accessory cells). In the main cells mitochondria penetrate into the more numerous and elongated microvilli. The apical surfaces of these cells are much more enlarged than in accessory cells. The accessory cells contain fewer mitochondria and lack pigment vacuoles; however, they have microtubuli. In contrast to the cells of the alimentary channel the cells of the Malpighian tubules of E. riparia are not covered with muscle cells and tracheae. In the region of the ureter, the structure of the cells resembles that of the intestine. Under increased ionic charge of the animals, the structure of the cells varies. The vesiculation in the flattened cells of the initial segments is increased, the dilations of the basal infoldings in the main segment are enlarged and the mitochondria are swollen. The possible function of the tubules is discussed.

Harvard Citation style: EICHELBERG, D. (1979) ULTRASTRUCTURE AND EXPERIMENTAL MODIFIABILITY OF MALPIGHIAN TUBULES IN LARVAE OF THE SALT FLY EPHYDRA-RIPARIA (DIPTERA, EPHYDRIDAE), Journal of general and applied entomology, 5(4), pp. 301-315

APA Citation style: EICHELBERG, D. (1979). ULTRASTRUCTURE AND EXPERIMENTAL MODIFIABILITY OF MALPIGHIAN TUBULES IN LARVAE OF THE SALT FLY EPHYDRA-RIPARIA (DIPTERA, EPHYDRIDAE). Journal of general and applied entomology. 5(4), 301-315.