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The histology and ultrastructure of the salivary glands of Neopanorpa longiprocessa (Mecoptera: Panorpidae)

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Abstract

The salivary glands of Panorpidae usually exhibit distinct sexual dimorphism and are closely related to the nuptial feeding behavior. In this study, the salivary glands of Neopanorpa longiprocessa were investigated using light microscopy and transmission electron microscopy. The salivary glands are tubular labial glands and consist of a scoop-shaped salivary pump, a common salivary duct, and a pair of salivary tubes. The male and female salivary glands are remarkably different in the bifurcation position of the common salivary duct and the length and shape of the secretory tubes. Compared with the simple female salivary glands, the male’s are more developed as their paired elongated salivary tubes can be divided into two parts, the glabrate anterior tube and the posterior tube with many secretory tubules. The ultrastructural study shows that the male salivary tubes have strong secretory function. The existence of different secretion granules indicates that there are some chemical reactions or mixing occurring in the lumen. Based on the ultrastructural characteristics, the functions of the different regions of the salivary tube have been speculated. The relationship between the salivary glands and nuptial feeding behavior of N. longiprocessa has been briefly discussed based on the structure of the salivary glands.

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Acknowledgments

The authors are grateful to Ji-Shen Wang (Northwest A&F University, Yangling, China) for assistance in species identification. Our manuscript was greatly improved by critical reviews of Prof. Bao-zhen Hua (Northwest A&F University, Yangling, China) and two anonymous reviewers. We also thank Ning Sun, Xiang-Hua Liu, and Cai-Li Zhang (Henan University of Chinese Medicine) for the technical assistance in TEM.

Funding

This research was supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (grant nos. 31672346 and 31401989).

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Henan Provincial Key laboratory of Funiu Mountain Insect Biology, Key Laboratory of Ecological Security and Collaborative Innovation Centre of Water Security for Water Source Region of Mid-line of South-to-North Diversion Project of Henan Province, School of Agricultural Engineering, Nanyang Normal University, Nanyang, 473061, Henan, China

    Na Ma, Yu-Xin Zhang & Chao Yue

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  1. Na Ma
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  2. Yu-Xin Zhang
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  3. Chao Yue
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Correspondence to Chao Yue.

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Ma, N., Zhang, YX. & Yue, C. The histology and ultrastructure of the salivary glands of Neopanorpa longiprocessa (Mecoptera: Panorpidae). Protoplasma 258, 59–69 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00709-020-01549-2

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