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Rickettsiae‐like structures in the larval salivary gland cells of Drosophila auraria
Author(s) -
Thomopoulos George N.,
Neophytou Elefterios P.,
LimberiThomopoulos Stella
Publication year - 1991
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.1052070104
Subject(s) - biology , larva , salivary gland , drosophila (subgenus) , microbiology and biotechnology , anatomy , zoology , ecology , genetics , gene , biochemistry
Rickettsiae‐like structures were found in the salivary gland cells of Drosophila auraria during different larval and prepupal developmental stages, from the early 3rd instar up to 14 hr after spiracle inversion. These microorganisms are surrounded by a membrane, are constantly intracellular, and occur singly or in groups. Their widespread occurrence in various tissues of other Drosophila species indicates that they can be considered as symbionts, but their actual functional significance (if any) is unknown.