Histology And Development Of Argas (Argas) Hermanni (Ixodoidea: Argasidae) Salivary Glands

Abstract

The anatomy and histology of Argas (Argas) hermanni salivary glands were studied during nymphal and adult development. The paired salivary glands consist of 2 alveolar types. Type I alveoli consist of several cells forming a striated peripheral zone around a clear central cell. These alveoli do not exhibit significant histological changes during development or after feeding but their size decreases after feeding and increases during the postfeeding period. The activity of this type is probably related to osmoregulation and fluid transport by the glands. Type II alveoli consist of 7 cell types and subtypes containing globules of various staining reactions, sizes, and/or shape. The alveolar size decreases after feeding and increases during the postfeeding period. After feeding, cell types a,, a2 and b do not exhibit great changes, while types c, d, ej and e2 lose most or all of their secretary globules. Type a! cells probably store a precursor material to replace a certain cell type(s) depleted during feeding. Vacuoles in type a2 and b cells may represent soluble metabolites or extracellular spaces after apocrine secretion of some globules. The globule chemical structure probably changes before feeding in type d and during feeding in type e, and e2 cells. Cells depleted during feeding are replaced by new cells and/or new globules are synthesized in depleted cells during the postfeeding period