1. Ultrastructure of Porocephalus crotali (Pentastomida) Cuticle with Phylogenetic Implications
- Author
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Richter Km, Self Jt, and Trainer Je
- Subjects
Porocephalus crotali ,Basement membrane ,Pentastomida ,Phylogenetic tree ,biology ,Arthropod cuticle ,Anatomy ,biology.organism_classification ,Fibril ,medicine.anatomical_structure ,medicine ,Ultrastructure ,Parasitology ,Ecology, Evolution, Behavior and Systematics ,Cuticle (hair) - Abstract
The cuticle of P. crotali is pro-arthropodan, composed of an epi-, exo-, and endocuticle. The exo- and endocuticles are separated by a 600-A intermediate cuticular zone. The epicuticle is homogeneous and varies from 100 to 350 A in thickness. The exocuticle varies from 2 to eight mu in thickness and is divided into superficial and deep exocuticular zones. The endocuticle is lamellate and varies from 8 to 30 mu in thickness. Lamellae result from ordered parabolic orientations of 40-A chitin fibrils. Underlying cells lack a basement membrane. Subcuticular muscle cells insert tonofibrils directly into the adjacent endocuticle. No apodemes or apophyses occur.
- Published
- 1975
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