Hemocytes of the cochineal insect: ultrastructure |
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Authors: | Sandra Caselín‐Castro Celina Llanderal‐Cázares Santiago de Jesús Méndez‐Gallegos Arturo Ramírez‐Cruz Fidel de la Cruz Hernández‐Hernández |
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Institution: | 1. Instituto de Fitosanidad, Entomología y Acarología, Campus Montecillo, Colegio de Postgraduados, 56230 Montecillo, Edo. de México, México;2. Departamento de Morfología, Escuela Nacional de Ciencias Biológicas, Instituto Politécnico Nacional, 11340 México, D. F., México;3. Departamento de Patología Experimental, Centro de Investigación y de Estudios Avanzados, Instituto Politécnico Nacional, 07360 México, D. F., México |
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Abstract: | Using transmission electron microscopy, light microscopy (Giemsa May‐Grumwald), and the Periodic Acid‐Schif (PAS) and Sudan Black B staining techniques, hemocytes in the hemolymph of adult female Dactylopius coccus were characterized. The following, in order of abundance, were found: granulocytes, plasmatocytes, prohemocytes, and oenocytoids. Granulocytes varied in size with granulations in the cytoplasm, a large quantity of mitochondria, rugose endoplasmatic reticulum, ribosomes and vesicles, central or exocentric, spherical and occasionally lobulate nucleus. Plasmatocytes were polymorphic with irregularities in the plasma membrane; cytoplasm contained mitochondria, rugose endoplasmatic reticulum and vesicles, and exocentric, spherical, or irregular nucleus. In both types of hemocytes, scant polysaccharides and lipids were found. Prohemocytes were small and spherical with homogeneous cytoplasm and large exocentric nuclei. Oenocytoids were oval or irregular with dense homogeneous cytoplasm and elongated exocentric nuclei. The percentages of granulocytes on different days (d 1 and 10) during the life of the adult female were significantly different, as were those of plasmatocytes on d 30 and 50 and prohemocytes on d 1 and 50. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. |
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Keywords: | Cytochemistry Dactylopius coccus transmission electron microscopy |
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