Zum Feinbau der Ommatidien von Pteronemobius heydeni (Fisch.) (Orthoptera,Gryllidae)

Zusammenfassung Die Ommatidien der Sumpfgrille Pteronemobius wurden elektronenmikroskopisch untersucht. Der dioptrische Apparat besteht aus der cuticularen Linse, auf der zahlreiche Cornea-Nippel stehen, sowie dem Kristallkegel mit seinen Zellen, die auch noch beim adulten Tier Mitochondrien besitzen. Diese vier Zellen bilden insgesamt acht nach basal gerichtete Fortsätze, vier laterale und vier zentrale. Die lateralen, die auch bei anderen Insekten vorkommen, ziehen zwischen den Retinulazellen bis zur Basalmembran, an der sie enden. In ihrem proximalen, erweiterten Bereich nehmen die Fortsätze Kontakt miteinander auf. Hier enthalten sie außer den für den gesamten Verlauf typischen Mikrotubuli Pigment und feine Granula, die denen des Kegels gleichen.Die vier anderen, zentral gelegenen Fortsätze bilden gemeinsam den dünnen Spitzenausläufer der Kegelbasis. Er wird vom Rhabdom umhüllt und endet nach etwa 6 m.Sieben oder acht Retinulazellen bilden ein Rhabdom vom geschlossenen Typ. Zunächst umfassen vier dieser Zellen den Kegel, doch treten noch vor seinem basalen Ende drei weitere hinzu. Die beiden primären Pigmentzellen werden dabei peripherwärts abgedrängt. Die sekundären Pigmentzellen bilden keinen geschlossenen Zylinder um die Retinulazellen.

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The fine structure of the ommatidia of Pteronemobius heydeni (fisch.) (Orthoptera, Gryllidae)

Summary The ommatidia of the gryllid Pteronemobius have been examined electron microscopically. The dioptric apparatus consists of a cuticular lens on which numeral nipples insert and of the crystalline cone with its cells bearing mitochondria even in the adult. These four cells form altogether eight proximally directed processes, four lateral and four central ones. The lateral processes — as in other insects — extend from between the retinula cells to the basal membrane at which they terminate. In its proximal enlarged region they get into contact with each other. Besides those microtubuli typical for the total process they contain pigment and fine granules similar to those of the cone.The four remaining processes centrally situated form the thin pointed appendix of the cone basis being enveloped by the rhabdom and ending after about 6 m.Seven or eight retinula cells form a rhabdom of the closed type. Primarily there are four of these cells enclosing the cone, however, farther proximally they are joined by three more cells. Thus, the two primary pigment cells are forced away towards the periphery. The secondary pigment cells do not constitute a closed cylinder around the retinula cells.

Frl. A. Hennig bin ich für ihre technische Mitarbeit zu großem Dank verpflichtet.     

Der Phragmoplast der Spermatiden von Spirostreptus spec. (Myriapoda,Diplopoda)

Zusammenfassung Die Spermatiden von Spirostreptus spec. bleiben während der ersten Phasen der Spermiohistogenese durch Zellbrücken miteinander verbunden. Im Bereich der Brücke tritt ein Phragmoplast auf, der zuerst aus Zwischenspindelfasern, einem regelmäßigen Netzwerk endoplasmatischen Retikulums und aus einem kugeligen osmiophilen Körper besteht. Die osmiophile Substanz wird stark vermehrt und erstreckt sich in die Zellbrücke, während das endoplasmatische Retikulum dort verschwindet. Vor der Durchtrennung der Zellbrücke ziehen sich das granulierte Material und die Spindelfasern aus der Zone der trennenden Zellmembran zurück. Dort erscheinen dann Bläschen und konfluieren zu den Zellmembranen.

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The phragmoplast in the spermatides of Spirostreptus spec. (Myriapoda, Diplopoda)

Summary During the early phases of the spermiohistogenesis the spermatides of Spirostreptus spec. are connected by cell bridges. In the region of the bridge a phragmoplast appears which at first consists of continuous spindle fibres, a regular network of endoplasmatic reticulum and a spheric osmiophilic body. The osmiophilic substance increases and extends into the cell bridge while the endoplasmatic reticulum is disappearing there. Before the cell bridge is divided the granulated material and the spindle fibres retract from the zone of the separating cell membrane. Then there are appearing vesicles which fuse to the cell membrane.

     

Ultrastruktur des Pseudoculus vonEosentomon (Protura,Insecta)

Zusammenfassung In der Feinstruktur unterscheidet sich der Pseudoculus vonEosentomon nicht wesentlich von dem der Acerentomiden. Durch einen Endokutikulaporus treten die dendritischen Fortsätze zweier Sinneszellen, jeweils umgeben von einer Hüllzelle, in den Außenraum des Pseudoculus ein. Der Außenraum wird nach distal von einer äußeren Kutikulaschicht — vermutlich Epikutikula — abgeschlossen. Sie vermittelt durch regelmäßig angeordnete lange Spalten die Verbindung zur Außenwelt. Am Grunde der Spalten finden sich Porentubuli, die mit den Hüllzellen oder den distalen Fortsätzen der Dendriten Kontakt haben können. Aus der Feinstruktur kann geschlossen werden, daß der Pseudoculus als Chemo-, Hygro- und/oder Thermorezeptor fungiert.

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Ultrastructure of the pseudoculus ofEosentomon (Protura, Insecta)

Summary Concerning its fine structure the pseudoculus of Eosentomon is quite similar to that of Acerentomide Protura. There are two sensory cells innervating the organ. From each of them one dendritic process derives, surrounded by one enveloping cell. The processes of these four cells enter the distal cavity of the pseudoculus through a pore in the endocuticular layer. The cuticular layer of the cap seems to consist of epicuticle only. It is furrowed by long clefts connecting the distal cavity of the organ with the outside. Poretubules insert at the base of the clefts and may have contact with the cell membranes of both enveloping cells and dendritic processes. According to its structure the pseudoculus may function as chemo-, hygro- and/or thermoreceptor.

Für technische Mitarbeit danke ich Frau G. Raabe, für die Anfertigung der Zeichnung Frau C. St. Friedemann.     

The evolution of Strepsiptera (Hexapoda)

An evolutionary scenario for the enigmatic group Strepsiptera is provided, based on the results of a comprehensive cladistic analysis of characters of all life stages. A recently described fossil--+Protoxenos janzeni--the most archaic strepsipteran, sheds new light on the early evolution of the group and reduces the "morphological gap" between Strepsiptera and other insects. It weakens both current hypotheses--Coleoptera+Strepsiptera and Diptera+Strepsiptera (="Halteria"). The splitting into +Protoxenos (Protoxenidae) and the remaining Strepsiptera was linked with a distinct size reduction and many morphological changes. Unlike males of extant strepsipteran species, +Protoxenos was still able to process food. Mengeidae (+Mengea), with two small species, is the sister group of extant Strepsiptera. A unique characteristic of extant males (Strepsiptera s. str.) is the mouthfield sclerite. It is part of an air uptake apparatus which belongs to an extremely modified air-filled "balloon gut". Besides this, male strepsipterans possess specialised antennae and compound eyes, a strongly developed flight apparatus, large testes, and a sperm pump, whereas other organ systems are strongly reduced (e.g., fat body, malpighian tubules). Males are designed to find females within a few hours and to copulate. A dramatic change is linked with the split into Mengenillidae and Stylopidia. The change to pterygote hosts and the permanent endoparasitism of the females are evolutionary novelties acquired by the latter clade, and linked with far-reaching morphological transformations, e.g. the presence of unique brood organs. Hairy tarsal adhesive devices are present in males and guarantee efficient attachment to the host during copulation. A well-founded clade within Stylopidia is Stylopiformia, which are characterised by a unique fissure-shaped birth opening. The evolutionary development towards the most specialised and successful forms (parasites of aculeate Hymenoptera [e.g., Xenidae+Stylopidae], ca. 46% of the species) is a stepwise process. The presented evolutionary scenario comprises a complex network of functionally correlated morphological changes in primary larvae, secondary larvae, females and males.     

Der Feinbau olfaktorischer Sensillen des Seidenspinners (Insecta,Lepidoptera)

Zusammenfassung Die Sensilla (S.) trichodea und S. basiconica auf den Antennen des Seidenspinners,Bombyx mori, wurden nach chemischer Fixierung, Gefriersubstitution und Gefrierätzung im Transmissionselektronenmikroskop untersucht. Es lassen sich fünf Typen von Sensillen unterscheiden, deren olfaktorische Funktion aus elektrophysiologischen Versuchen bekannt ist, mit Ausnahme des letzten Typs.Lange S. trichodea undhalblange S. trichodea I sind jeweils von zwei Sinneszellen innerviert, deren Rezeptorfortsätze (Dendriten) im wesentlichen unverzweigt bleiben. Diegroßen S. basiconica haben meist drei, diekleinen S. basiconica nur eine Sinneszelle; die Dendriten dieser Rezeptorzellen verzweigen sich büschelförmig beim Eintritt in das Haarlumen. Erstmals wird ein Zwischentyp beschrieben: diehalblangen S. trichodea II ähneln hinsichtlich der Innervation den S. basiconica, sind aber wegen der Form und Größe des Sinneshaars als S. trichodea zu klassifizieren. Für jeden Typ werden die Abmessungen der Rezeptorfortsätze sowie die Zahl und Verteilung der reizleitenden Poren und Porentubuli in der Haarwand angegeben.Auf der männlichen Antenne sind die langen S. trichodea am zahlreichsten; sie enthalten hochempfindliche Sexuallockstoffrezeptoren (mittlere Anzahl pro Antenne: 17 000 Sensillen mit 34 000 Sinneszellen). Beim Weibchen sind diese Sensillen in der Zahl auf etwa 35% reduziert und mit Sinneszellen anderer Spezifität und geringerer Empfindlichkeit ausgerüstet. Die beiden Dendriten der langen S. trichodea unterscheiden sich bei beiden Geschlechtern stark im mittleren Durchmesser und der Anzahl der cytoplasmatischen Mikrotubuli; beim Männchen reichen beide bis zur Haarspitze, beim Weibchen endet der dünnere Fortsatz bereits im proximalen Haardrittel. Die Cuticula der Sinneshaare ist von Poren durchbrochen (: 2–7 Poren/²; : 2–5 Poren/²), die stets in der Nähe von charakteristischen Stufen in der Haaroberfläche münden. Jeder Porenkanal führt in ca. fünf Porentubuli, die bis ins Haarlumen reichen und dort enden, zum Teil in Kontakt mit der Rezeptormembran der Dendriten. Die Häufigkeit solcher Tubulus-Membrankontakte ist in distalen Haarabschnitten größer als in proximalen. Der dickere Dendrit weist etwa viermal so viel Kontakte auf wie der dünnere. Die beiden Rezeptorzellen dieser Sensillen stellen funktionell verschiedene Reaktionstypen dar, was mit den beobachteten morphologischen Unterschieden zusam menhängen dürfte.Die S. basiconica haben 20 Poren pro ² ihrer Oberfläche und 12–23 Porentubuli pro Pore; dadurch erreichen oder übertreffen sie die viel größeren S. trichodea in der Gesamtzahl der Porentubuli pro Sinneshaar. Auf den S. trichodea steigt die Zahl der Poren pro Oberflächeneinheit zur Spitze hin stetig an, während die Zahl der Poren pro Haarlängeneinheit einen konstanten Wert annimmt. Eine Hypothese über die Morphogenese dieser Verteilung wird aufgestellt.Die funktionelle Bedeutung der äußeren Epicuticulaschichten und der Porentubulussysteme für die Reizleitung wird diskutiert. Ausgehend von beliebigen Orten ihres Auftreffens auf dem Sinneshaar können die Duftmoleküle zunächst durch zweidimensionale Diffusion entlang der Haaroberfläche zu den Poren gelangen und anschließend durch eindimensionale Diffusion über Porenkanäle und Porentubuli die Rezeptormembran erreichen. Die berechneten Diffusionszeiten sind kürzer als die bekannten Rezeptorlatenzen; die Reizleitung kann also durch Diffusion hinreichend erklärt werden und erfordert keine kompliziertere Hypothese.

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The fine structure of olfactory sensilla in the silk moth (insecta, lepidoptera)

Summary The sensilla (s). trichodea and s. basiconica on the antennae of the silk moth,Bombyx mori, were studied under the transmission electron microscope. Chemical fixation, freeze substitution and freeze etching methods were used. The following results have been obtained: Five sensillum types were distinguished, the olfactory function of which is known from electrophysiological recordings, except for the last one. Thelong s. trichodea and themedium-sized s. trichodea I are innervated by two sensory cells which have essentially unbranched receptor processes (dendrites). Commonly thelarge s. basiconica contain three sensory cells, thesmall s. basiconica only one; the dendrite of these receptor cells branch multiply when entering the hair lumen. For the first time an intermediate type has been described: themedium-sized s. trichodea II, which resemble the s. basiconica in their branching innervation, but must be classified as s. trichodea because of the form and size of the sense hair. For each type, the dimensions of the receptor processes, as well as the number and distribution of the stimulus conducting pores and pore tubules in the hair wall are noted.On the male antenna the long s. trichodea are most abundant; they contain the highly sensitive sex pheromone receptors (mean number per antenna: 17 000 sensilla with 34 000 sense cells). In the female these sensilla are reduced in number to about 35% and supplied with receptor cells of different specificity and lower sensitivity. In both sexes, the two dendrites of the long s. trichodea differ markedly in their mean diameter, and the number of cytoplasmatic microtubules. In the male moth both receptor processes reach the hair tip, whereas in the female the thinner one invades only the proximal third of the sense hair. The cuticle of the hair wall is perforated by pores (: 2–7 pores per ²; : 2–5 pores per ²), which mostly open to the outside near to characteristic steps in the hair surface. Each pore canal leads into about five pore tubules, which proceed towards the hair lumen, where they end, partly in contact with the receptor membrane of the dendrites. Distal parts of the sense hairs show such tubule-membrane contacts more frequently than proximal regions. The number of contacts counted on the thicker dendrite is about four times greater than on the thinner one. In these sensilla, the two receptor cells constitute functionally different reaction types, which may relate to the observed morphological differences.The s. basiconica have about 20 pores per ² of the hair surface, and 12–23 pore tubules per pore: thus, these sensilla have the same or even a greater number of pore tubules per sensillum than the much larger s. trichodea. In the s. trichodea the number of pores per unit surface increases steadily towars the hair tip, while the number of pores per unit length of the hairs soon reaches a constant value. A hypothesis about the morphogenesis of this distribution is given.The functional significance of the epicuticular surface layers and of the pore tubule systems is discussed under the aspect of stimulus conduction. Starting from the site of impact anywhere on the sense hair, odour molecules may diffuse two-dimensionally along the hair surface to the pores, and then proceed by one-dimensional diffusion through pore canals and pore tubules until they eventually reach the receptor membrane at the end of a tubule. The calculated conduction times are shorter than the known receptor latencies; thus, the transport mechanism can be explained by diffusion and does not need a more complex hypothesis.

Ich danke Frl. B. Müller für ihre stete, sorgfältige Hilfe, Prof. L. Bachmann und Dr. W. Schmitt von der TU München für die Benützungsmöglichkeit der Gefrierätzanlage und ihren erfahrenen Rat, Dr. G. Adam von der Universität Konstanz sowie meinen Seewiesener Kollegen, Dr. W. A. Kafka, Dr. K.-E. Kaissling und Dr. E. Priesner, für viele anregende Diskussionen und konstruktive Kritik.     

Mallomonas transsylvanica,spec. nova (Chrysophyceae), light and electron microscopical studies

The new speciesMallomonas transsylvanica is described in detail. Its silica armour has been examined by light and electron microscopy. Differences and possible relationships with other species are discussed.     

Umbilicaria freyi spec. nova und der Formenkreis vonUmbilicaria hirsuta in Europa (Lichenes,Umbilicariaceae)

InUmbilicaria hirsuta andU. grisea the so-called soredia originate from structured plectenchyma of the upper thallus layer (thus contrasting with true soredia, which are pushed off from unstructured medullar plectenchyma), and, therefore, are termed parasoredia. Both species have been regarded to comprise (in western Europe) forms with relatively large thalli and a pale lower surface; rhizinomorphs may be present (with varying density) or absent; propagation is not by parasoredia, but by flattened diaspores (schizidia s. l.) These forms are united here and described as a separate species:U. freyi (syn.U. hirsuta var.pyrenaica Frey andU. grisea resp.murina f.subpapyria Frey). So far, the species is known to occur from the western Alps through C. France to the Pyrenees, C. Spain and Italy including Sardinia.

Herrn Prof. Dr.Lothar Geitler zum 90. Geburtstag gewidmet.     

Methanocorpusculaceae fam. nov., represented by Methanocorpusculum parvum,Methanocorpusculum sinense spec. nov. and Methanocorpusculum bavaricum spec. nov.

Two new methanogenic bacteria, Methanocorpusculum sinense spec. nov. strain DSM 4274 from a pilot plant for treatment of distillery wastewater in Chengdu (Province Sichuan, China), and Methanocorpusculum bavaricum spec. nov. strain DSM 4179, from a wastewater pond of the sugar factory in Regensburg (Bavaria, FRG) are described. Methanocorpusculum strains are weakly motile and form irregularly coccoid cells, about 1 μm in diameter. The cell envelope consists of a cytoplasmic membrane and a S-layer, composed of hexagonally arranged glycoprotein subunits with molecular weights of 90000 (Methanocorpusculum parvum), 92000 (M. sinense), and 94000 (M. bavaricum). The center-to-center spacings are 14.3 nm, 15.8 nm and 16.0 nm, respectively. Optimal growth of strains is obtained in the mesophilic temperature range and at a pH around 7. Methane is produced from H₂/CO₂, formate, 2-propanol/CO₂ and 2-butanol/CO₂ by M. parvum and M. bavaricum, whereas M. sinense can only utilize H₂/CO₂ and formate. Growth of M. sinense and M. bavaricum is dependent on the presence of clarified rumen fluid. The G+C content of the DNA of the three strains is ranging from 47.7–53.6 mol% as determined by different methods. A similar, but distinct polar lipid pattern indicates a close relationship between the three Methanocorpusculum species. The polyamine patterns of M. parvum, M. sinense and M. bavaricum are similar, but distinct from those of other methanogens and are characterized by a high concentration of the otherwise rare 1,3-diaminopropane. Quantitative comparison of the antigenic fingerprint of members of Methanocorpusculum revealed no antigenic relationship with any one of the reference methanogens tested. On the basis of the distant phylogenetic position of M. parvum and the data presented in this paper a new family, the Methanocorpusculaceae fam. nov., is defined.     

Feinstruktur des Komplexauges der Roten Waldameise,Formica polyctena (Hymenoptera,Formicidae)

Zusammenfassung Die Analyse der Feinstruktur des Komplexauges der Ameise Formica polyctena ergab, daß der dioptrische Apparat der insgesamt 750 Ommatidien aus einer lamellierten Cornealinse und einem euconen Kristallkegel besteht. Zwei Hauptpigmentzellen umgeben schalenförmig den Kristallkegel, 8 Nebenpigmentzellen schirmen das Ommatidium in seiner ganzen Länge von der Cornea bis zur Basalmembran ab. Jedes Ommatidium besteht in seinem distalen Teil aus 8 Retinulazellen, 2 gegenüberliegenden schmalen und je 3 gegenüberliegenden großen Sehzellen. Weiter proximal tritt eine 9. Retinulazelle hinzu. Die Mikrovillisäume der Sehzellen verschmelzen zu einem zentralen Rhabdom. Im distalen Teil sind die Mikrovilli in 3 Richtungen angeordnet. Es wird im besonderen die Orientierung der Mikrovilli zur Augenlängsachse und zur Ommatidien-Symmetrieachse untersucht. Auch die 9. Sehzelle bildet Mikrovilli. Das Rhabdom endet an 4 basalen Pigmentzellen.Auf den Mikrovillisaum folgt im Querschnitt des dunkel adaptierten Ommatidiums ein Kranz von großen intrazellulären Vakuolen. Die anschließende cytoplasmatische Zone der Retinulazellen enthält viele Pigmentgranula und Mitochondrien; multivesikuläre und multilamelläre Körper sowie Golgiapparate treten nur selten auf. Die funktionelle Bedeutung des Ommatidienaufbaues und die Verteilung der Organellen bei Dunkeladaptation werden diskutiert.

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The fine structure of the complex eye of the ant Formica polyctena (Hymenoptera, Formicidae)

Summary The fine structure of the compound eye of the ant Formica polyctena was investigated. The eye consists of a total of 750 ommatidia, each containing a dioptric apparatus of a lamellated cornea lens, a eucone-type crystalline cone, and 8 long pigment cells which surround the ommatidium for its total length, i.e. from the cornea to the basal membrane. Each ommatidium has in its distal portion 8 retinula cells—6 large plus 2 small ones. The retinula cells are arranged in such a way that 3 pairs of large cells, and the one pair of the small cells lie opposite each other. Further proximally, a 9th retinula cell is encountered. The fused, centrally located rhabdom is built up by the microvilli of all nine retinula cells. The rhabdom ends at 4 basal pigment cells. In dark adapted ommatidia, a ring of large intracellular vacuoles is to be seen immediately peripherally to the rhabdom. The outer, cytoplasmic zone of the retinula cells contains many pigment granules and mitochondria; multivesicular bodies, onion bodies and Golgi apparatus are of relatively rare occurrence. The functional significance of the ommatidial structure and the arrangement of the cell organelles in the dark adapted condition are discussed.

Für technische Hilfe danke ich Frau Langer und Frl. Müller, Herrn Prof. H. Markl für die Durchsicht des Manuskripts.     

Rhodospirillum salexigens,spec. nov., an obligatory halophilic phototrophic bacterium

The name Rhodospirillum salexigens, spec. nov., was proposed for the strain WS 68, isolated by W. R. Sistrom at the Oregon coast from salt water. The spiral-shaped phototrophically or chemotrophically growing, salt demanding bacterium contains intracytoplasmic membranes arranged parallel to the cytoplasmic membrane. Bacteriochlorophyll a and spirilloxanthin are the major pigments. Growth occurs between 20 and 45°C at a neutral pH. The DNA base composition was 64 mol % guanine plus cytosine. The cell wall contains peptidoglycan and proteins but no glycolipids.     

Asperula visianii,nova spec., undA. staliana (Rubiaceae), Endemiten der Inseln Mitteldalmatiens

Asperula visianii Korica is described as a new stenoendemic species from the small Central Dalmatian island of Svetac (near Vis). It differs in several morphological features (which remain constant in cultivation) and in its ecology from the closely relatedA. staliana Vis., endemic on the nearby island of Bievo.

     

Functional morphology of the ommatidia in the compound eye of the moth,Antheraea polyphemus (Insecta,Saturniidae)

Summary The fine structure of the superposition eye of the Saturniid moth Antheraea polyphemus Cramer was investigated by electron microscopy. Each of the approximately 10000 ommatidia consists of the same structural components, but regarding the arrangement of the ommatidia and the rhabdom structure therein, two regions of the eye have to be distinguished. In a small dorsal rim area, the ommatidia are characterized by rectangularly shaped rhabdoms containing parallel microvilli arranged in groups that are oriented perpendicular to each other. In all other ommatidia, the proximal parts of the rhabdoms show radially arranged microvilli, whereas the distal parts may reveal different patterns, frequently with microvilli in two directions or sometimes even in one direction. Moreover, the microvilli of all distal cells are arranged in parallel to meridians of the eyes. By virtue of these structural features the eyes should enable this moth not only discrimination of the plane of polarized light but also skylight-orientation via the polarization pattern, depending on moon position. The receptor cells exhibit only small alterations during daylight within the natural diurnal cycle. However, under illumination with different monochromatic lights of physiological intensity, receptor cells can be unbalanced: Changes in ultrastructure of the rhabdomeres and the cytoplasm of such cells are evident. The effects are different in the daytime and at night. These findings are discussed in relation to the breakdown and regeneration of microvilli and the influence of the diurnal cycle. They are compared with results on photoreceptor membrane turnover in eyes of other arthropod species.     

Der Feinbau der sog. Kugelhaare der Fadenkanker (Opiliones,Nemastomatidae)

Zusammenfassung Der Hohlraum des Kugelhaares von Nemastoma bildet im basalen Teil Ausbuchtungen mit tubulären Strukturen, die mit 40–50 von proximal nach distal ziehenden Kanälen in Verbindung stehen.Nahe der Haarspitze befindet sich ein hohler Schirm mit zahlreichen Chaetoiden. Dicht unter ihm öffnen sich die Kanäle nach außen, und zwar derartig, daß ihr zentrad gelegener Teil der Wand den Schirmstiel bildet, während sich ihr peripherwärts gelegener Wandteil in einzelne Streben aufgliedert. Diese bilden nach Erreichen des Schirmbodens zwischen sich und dem Schirmstiel einen großen Hohlraum, der von einem klebrigen Sekret angefüllt und, zusammen mit dem Schirm, auch umhüllt wird.

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The fine structure of spezialized setae on the pedipalpi of nemastoma (Opiliones, Nemastomatidae)

Summary The cavity of the seta on the pedipalpi of Nemastoma shows protrusions with tubular structures, which are connected with 40–50 channels proceeding from proximal towards distal.Close by the tip of the seta there is a hollow umbrella with numerous secondary chetae. Bight underneath, each channel is widened in a way that the central part of the wall builds the stalk of the umbrella, whereas the more peripheral part of the wall is split in single struts. Both struts fused with the umbrella and its stalk form a large cavity. This cavity is filled with a viscid droplet and enveloped as well together with the umbrella. — The possible meaning of these structures is discussed.

Frl. A. Hennig bin ich für ihre gewissenhafte technische Mitarbeit sehr zu Dank verpflichtet.     

Structure,development and death of sensory cells and neurons in the pupal labial palp of the butterflies Pieris rapae L. and Pieris brassicae L. (Insecta,Lepidoptera)

Summary The development of neurons possibly related to the outgrowth of axons from the labial palp-pit organ was studied in Pieris rapae. Serial sections of six successive stages between pupation and emergence of the imago were examined with the electron microscope. At pupation the palp contains an apical scolopidial organ (ASO) and cellular strands connected to it. The ASO consists of three type-1 scolopidia, which are characterized by the presence of a ciliary 9 × 2 + 0 pattern throughout the dendritic outer segment and a ciliary dilation beneath the cap. The scolopidia show two special features: (i) the dendritic outer segments reach beyond the cap, and (ii) an intricate junctional complex develops between the dendritic inner segments and the scolopale cells. The cellular strands comprise two types of cells: (1) bipolar cells regarded as neurons due to their cytological features, and (2) enveloping cells, which are wrapped around the bipolar cells. The strands degenerate about 10 h after pupation. The sensory cells of the ASO degenerate consecutively between 28 h and 130 h after pupation. However, their enveloping cells survive and endure in the imago, which emerges about 160 h after pupation. An ASO similarly lacking sensory cells was observed in imagines of Pieris brassicae. It is hypothesized that the ASO and the bipolar neurons of the strands play a role in pathfinding of the axons of the labial palp-pit organ.Supported by the Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (SFB 4/G1)     

The serosa of Manduca sexta (Insecta, Lepidoptera): ontogeny, secretory activity, structural changes, and functional considerations

In Manduca sexta, the blastoderm forms successively and becomes immediately cellularized as the cleavage energids reach the surface of the oocyte. Presumptive serosal cells are large and contain 2 or 4 large polyploid nuclei; presumptive embryonic cells are small and mononuclear. All parts of the blastoderm participate in the uptake and digestion of yolk material. About 10 h post-oviposition, the blastoderm breaks at the amnioserosal fold and the extraembryonic part closes above the germ band and constitutes the serosa (12 h post-oviposition, i.e. 10% development completed). At once, the serosa starts to secrete a cuticle consisting of an epi- and a lamellated endocuticle. Detachment of the serosal cuticle, 22h post-oviposition, is reminiscent of apolysis of larval cuticle. Thereafter, the serosa deposits a membranous structure, the serosal membrane. The sercretory process lasts from 23h to 44h post-oviposition. At first a fine granular layer, then an amorphous, spongy-like, fibrillar layer is secreted via microvilli. This persisting membrane is tough, rubbery and very elastic. It may serve to bolster the serosa during katatrepsis (48h post-oviposition) and later embryonic movements. After detachment of the serosal membrane, 44h post-oviposition, a distinct subcellular reorganization of the serosa takes place. The nuclei become still larger and more irregular. Uptake of yolk granules, but not of lipid droplets, ceases, although interaction of serosa and yolk cells are intense. Serosal cells include many mitochondria, large areas of rER, besides some sER, increasing amounts of lysosomal bodies and prominent Golgi complexes. Most conspicuous is the assembly of spindle-shaped, electron-lucent vesicles below the apical surface. These vesicles may contain metabolic products which are released into the peripheral space. The studies show that the serosa assumes changing functions during embryogenesis: digestion of yolk substances, synthesis of a serosal cuticle and a serosal membrane, which may have a protective function, and excretion.     

Chrysosphaerella (Pseudochrysosphaerella)solitaria,spec. nova (Chrysophyceae)

A new unicellular species of the genusChrysosphaerella (Chrysophyceae) was found in fresh-water ponds in Switzerland, Japan, and the U.S.A. It is described asC. solitaria. The genus is divided into two subgenera:Chrysosphaerella, comprising the colonial species, andPseudochrysosphaerella, the unicellular ones.     

Fine-structural characteristics of the antennal sensilla of Agrotis segetum (Insecta: Lepidoptera)

Summary The turnip moth Agrotis segetum possesses seven different types of sensilla: four single-walled (SW), one double-walled (DW), one terminal-pore (TP), and one poreless sensilla (NP).The SW 1 and SW 2 sensilla have the same external appearance, being long and slender, but differ in the branching pattern of the sensory processes: unbranched and branched in SW 1 and SW 2, respectively. The SW 3 sensilla are shorter, sickle-shaped, and contain a large number of branches from the sensory processes. These three sensillar types are innervated by 2–3 sensory cells. The SW 4 sensilla are raisin-shaped and possess three profusely branched sensory processes. The DW sensilla are short and have apical slit-like pores. This sensillar type has 5–6 sensory processes. The TP sensilla possess five sensory processes, one of them terminates basally in a tubular body, the others in the apical part of the long cuticular bristle. The NP sensilla are stout and have apical conelike structures. Two of the sensory processes terminate in the apical part, the third proximally. The third sensory process has a lamellar pattern. The fine structure indicates the following functions: SW and DW sensilla: chemoreception; TP sensillum: chemoreception and mechanoreception; NP sensillum: thermoreception and hygroreception.Supported by joint grants from the Swedish Council for Planning and Coordination of Research, the Swedish Natural Science Research Council, and the Swedish Council for Forestry and Agricultural Research