Publication Type

Journal Article

Journal Name

International Journal of Insect Morphology and Embryology

Publication Date

1-1-1996

Abstract

This study examines the external and internal anatomy of the polypneustic (respiratory) lobes in 8 species of tsetse larvae (Diptera: Glossinidae). In the more primitive fusca group, the respiratory lobes are either ring-like (Glossina longipennis) or partially divided into 2 lobes (G. brevipalpis). Two distinctly separated lobes are present in the palpalis group (G. palpalis, G. tachinoides, G. fuscipes) and in the morsitans group (G. morsitans, G. pallidipes, G. austeni). Air enters the polypneustic lobes through narrow slits (stigmata) on the tips of numerous small spiracular papillae that are arranged in rows on both the outer and inner surfaces of the polypneustic lobes. The openings on the spiracular papillae connect to an air tube that is sculptured with septa and pegs. The air tubes connect to an outer air chamber that is likewise replete with a network of pegged septa. The outer air chamber is connected to a felt chamber containing a dense network of filamentous septa (spicules) that appear to function as an air filter. The felt chamber opens into a large, sculptured inner air chamber that connects directly to the regular tracheal trunk. The polypneustic lobes are unusually hard and brittle due to strong sclerotization of the cuticle and are permeated with numerous cuticular pores. There is no evidence that trichomes or other structures present on the respiratory lobes are innervated.

Keywords

freeze-fracturing, Respiration, respiratory lobes, spiracles, stigmata

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