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Histological techniques and paraldehyde-fuchsin (PAF) staining were used to study the synganglion and to locate neurosecretory regions and neurosecretion within the synganglion of the chicken mite, Dermanyssus gallinae. The synganglion, which is formed internally by neuropilar ganglia, gives rise to a single esophageal and paired cheliceral, palpal, pedal (I-IV), and opisthosomal nerves. The neuropilar ganglia are interconnected by commissures and connectives within the synganglion. Twelve PAF-positive neurosecretory regions are present in unfed protonymphs, unfed deutonymphs, virgin males and females, and mated males. There are 11 PAF-positive neurosecretory regions in larvae, 24-72 hours post-fed deutonymphs and mated females. Neurosecretory regions in these developmental stadia are described in relation to their positions adjacent to individual neuropilar ganglia.

Sperm induction pores, tubuli annulati, rami sacculi, sacculus foemineus, cornu sacculus and acantho-membranous hood in female Dermanyssus gallinae support the probability of coxal insemination as reported for some other mesostigmatid species. Development of the circular testis in males (from fusion of two anterolaterally projecting protonymphal testicular arms) and formation of haploid (n = 3) spermatids from haploid (n = 3) spermatogonial cells is entirely mitotic. Spermatogenesis begins within one hour after protonymphal feeding and continues through adult ecdysis in normally fed individuals. Nutritional deficit causes cessation of spermatogenic divisions in deutonymphs starved 23 days, but is rapidly rejuvenated upon feeding. No rejuvenation of division was observed in adult males given the opportunity to feed, thus adult males might not feed., (Copyright © 1976 Wiley-Liss, Inc.)