Peroxisomes of the midgut epithelium, malpighian tubules and fat body of larvae of the dragonfly, Aeshna cyanea

The enterocytes of the midgut epithelium of Aeshna cyanea larvae are rich in peroxisomes while the nidal regenerative and endocrine cells contain only a few. Most of the enterocytic peroxisomes are microperoxisomes lacking a crystalloid nucleoid, but peroxisomes with well developed nucleoid are also present. The peroxisomes are usually concentrated in the basal region of the cells but may also spread into the apical region and closely intermingle with absorptive lipid droplets. They significantly increase in number, when the larvae are regularly fed lipid-rich natural food or long-chain monounsaturated fatty acids that are unusual dietary components of these animals. This observation seems to indicate that the enterocytic peroxisomes are involved in chain shortening and degradation of fatty acids absorbed from the gut lumen.Numerous microperoxisomes are also present in the lipid-storing cells of the Malpighian tubules and fat body.