The ultrastructure of the preformed ecdysial 'line of weakness' in the puparium cap of Elenchus tenuicornis (Kirby) (Insecta: Strepsiptera). |
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Authors: | J. KATHIRITHAMBY B. M. LUKE A. C. NEVILLE |
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Affiliation: | Department of Zoology, University of Oxford, South Parks Road, Oxford 0X1 3PS;Department of Zoology, University of Bristol, Woodland Road, Bristol BS8 JUG |
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Abstract: | This study describes the ultrastructure at 'the line of weakness' in the male puparium of Elenchus tenuicornis (Kirby) (Insecta: Strepsiptera). Superficially this line looked like an area of untanned cuticle but ultrastructurally it had an undifferentiated epicuticle, an untanned exocuticle and a loose textured endocuticle. It is speculated that the E. tenuicornis pharate adult male prior to emergence smears a chemical solution on the inner rim of the 'line of weakness' which dissolves the exo- and endocuticles. Following this, the slightest pressure exerted by the ptilinum of the male breaks open the cap of the puparium. |
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Keywords: | Elenchus tenuicornis Strepsiptera puparium line weakness |
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