Structure of the Nymphal Spiracle and its Formation in the Pharate Adult 'Haemaphysalis (Kaiseriana) longicornis' Neumann (Ixodoidea: Ixodidae).

摘要

The surface structure and histology of the nymphal and developing pharate adult Haemaphysalis (Kaiseriana) longicornis and of nymphal Boophilus microplus spiracles are described by light and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Surface pores and ostial aperture in the nymphal spiracular plate are observed by SEM (H. longicornis and B. microplus) and in histological sections (H. longicornis). Formation of the pharate adult tick spiracle starts 2 or 3 days after nymphal detachment from the host and is completed on day 14 or 15 when the adult is ready to emerge. During this interval, hypodermal cells beneath the nymphal spiracular plate differentiate into the pharate adult spiracle components and form a thickened, folded edge around the ostial aperture, which contains detached nymphal tracheae. The developing adult spiracular plate shows goblets and interpedicellar spaces and a lipguarded ostium. The molting process of the adult tick spiracle is more simple than that of insect having specialised spiracular plates. (Author)