Supracoxal gland secretions as a source of freshwater for Acaridei
1977 - Volume: 19 Issue: 1 pages: 112-116
Keywords
Acari
Acarus siro
Dermatophagoides farinae
Tyrophagus perniciosus
Water relations
supracoxal gland
Abstract
Derinatophagoides farinae, Tyrophagus pittrescentiae, and Acarus siro secrete hygroscopie solutions from their supracoxal glands. Potassium chloride is a significant component of the supracoxal fluid of the first two species. No chemical tests were made on the plug of Acarits siro. In moving down the podocephalic canal, the secretion picks up water from the air and is then imbibed. Thus, fresh water from the air can be continuously added to the water pool of such a mite. Internally, it is postulated that the salt moves from the gut to the blood, to the supracoxal gland, to the prebuccal cavity and back to the gut. In dry air, the water is evaporated from the supracoxal fluid leaving a residue of salt and other constituents that form a plug that prevents the loss of water from the opening of the gland while at the same time preserving the water uptake capacity of the salt in a manner that does not build up the osmotic pressure of the body fluids
Comments
Please read and follow the
instructions to post any comment or correction.