Research on the ultrastructure and function of the anal organ of the normal and lethal (l(3)tr) larvae of the Drosophila melanogaster

The anal organ of larvae of the wild type and the mutant ‘lethaltranslucida’ (l(3)tr, 3–20±0·8) of Drosophila melanogaster was studied by electron microscopy. By means of cryoscopy and microtitration the total osmotic concentration and the chloride content of the haemolymph were also determined. In addition, the effects of hypotonic and hypertonic solutions on the anal organs and the haemolymph concentration have been analysed in detail. We were especially interested in the functional significance and a possible disturbance of these anal organs in the lethal mutant.On the basis of the following characters the anal organ appears as a typical absorption organ: (a) The cuticle is distinctly thinner than that of the remaining body parts and has an enlarged surface by forming numerous porous infoldings. (b) On the cuticular surface the plasma membrane of the singlelayered epidermal cells forms a large number of folds oriented parallel to each other, resulting in a further increase of the absorption surface. (c) An extensive network of microtubules and a dense population of mitochondria, vacuoles, and vesicles in the cytoplasm suggest that an active transport process takes place in this organ.After 1 hr in a strong hypotonic solution (distilled water) the plasma membrane folds of both +/+ and l(3)tr larvae increase and penetrate deeper into the epidermal cell. The mitochondria also increase in number and are located between the apical folds. Conversely, in a hypertonic solution (1·42–11·96% NaCl) the plasma membrane folds become shorter and fewer in number. The mitochondrial density decreases. With increasing salinity and duration various unidentified bodies, degenerated mitochondria, and vesicles appear, indicating the beginning of autolysis.The osmotic concentration of 4-day-old +/+ larvae is found to be 1·02% NaCl, whereas that of l(3)tr larvae of a corresponding physiological age (5 days old) amounts to only 0·65% NaCl. Both genotypes are able to regulate the osmotic concentration in a hypotonic solution; the upper limit of salt concentration of the surrounding medium for a successful regulation is 5 per cent.The chloride concentration of +/+ larvae aged 4 days is found to be 0·19% NaCl, and that of l(3)tr larvae of a corresponding physiological age 0·14% NaCl. In a hypotonic solution both genotypes are capable of regulating the chloride concentration. However, this fails in a hypertonic medium with a concentration higher than 1% NaCl. When the anal organs are blocked by AgNO₃ impregnation, the regulatory ability breaks down completely. No distinct difference in the fine structure as well as in the regulatory achievement of the anal organs between the wild type and the l(3)tr mutant could be detected. It seems that the mutational effect does not lie primarily in a defect of the water balance.