Fine structure of the secretory and sensory organs on the cephalon and the first pereionite of Trichoniscus alexandrae Caruso (Crustacea, Isopoda) |
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Authors: | Lombardo B M Fanciulli P P Grasso R Cicconardi F Caruso D Dallai R |
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Affiliation: | Department of Animal Biology, University of Catania, Via Androne 81, I-95100 Catania, Italy. |
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Abstract: | Trichoniscus alexandrae Caruso is a blind troglobiont isopod; males possess secretory and sensory organs on the cephalon and 1st pereionite consisting of cuticular pits hosting a tuft of setae and gland openings. Such organs are absent in females. Three types of cuticular structures have been observed: (a) lamellar setae, which likely play a role in protecting the gland openings and favouring the evaporation of secretions; (b) contact chemoreceptors, each provided with six bipolar sensory cells, a scolopale cell and enveloping cells; (c) a secretory cell complex, consisting of a long cylindrical slender duct-forming cell, with the function of transporting to the cuticular surface a secretion produced by two deeper secretory cells. The duct-forming cell is characterized by the presence of numerous microtubules in its cytoplasm, and is provided with a flattened duct. It is suggested that the secretion produced by the secretory cells could serve for sex-recognition. |
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Keywords: | Secretory organs Sensory organs Isopoda Ultrastructure Sex recognition |
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