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Studies on silk secretion in the trichoptera (F. Limnephilidae): I. Histology, histochemistry, and ultrastructure of the silk glands
Author(s) -
Engster Maryann S.
Publication year - 1976
Publication title -
journal of morphology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.652
H-Index - 74
eISSN - 1097-4687
pISSN - 0362-2525
DOI - 10.1002/jmor.1051500109
Subject(s) - ultrastructure , biology , silk , histology , anatomy , lumen (anatomy) , metachromasia , secretion , midgut , immunohistochemistry , larva , toluidine , pathology , staining , microbiology and biotechnology , botany , chemistry , immunology , endocrinology , medicine , computer science , genetics , operating system
As part of a study on trichopteran silk secretion, the histology, histochemistry, and ultrastructure of the silk glands of two species of limnephilid trichopteran larvae, Pycnopsyche guttifer (Walk.) and Neophylax concinnus McL., were investigated. The silk glands consist of three anatomically distinct regions: a long, posterior silk‐secreting region; a shorter, anterior conducting tube; and a terminal press/common duct. In Pycnopsyche , there is also a modified bulbous region between the secreting and conducting areas. Each anatomical region has a distinct cell type. There are two structurally and histochemically different components of the secretion in the glandular lumen: a core and a peripheral layer. Both components are produced all along the gland and are principally proteinaceous. However, the peripheral layer is also PAS and alcian blue (pH. 2.5) positive and shows β‐metachromasia with toluidine blue (pH 3.5), indicating the presence of both neutral and acidic polysaccharides.