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During the growth period, in surface habitats, spiders catch enough prey to feed normally. In contrast, in the cave entrance zone, prey may be relatively scarce. Meta menardi inhabits this cave section, resulting in temporary starvation. We studied structural changes in the midgut epithelial cells of M. menardi during a short-term and a medium-term controlled starvation to mimic the occasional starvation in caves, during spring and autumn. Digestive cells, secretory cells and adipocytes were examined before the experimental starvation, in the middle and at the end of starvation. We used light microscopy, transmission electron microscopy and specific histochemical methods for the detection of lipids, polysaccharides and proteins. Detection of lysosomes, autolysosomes and apoptosis was also carried out. The general structures of the cells did not change during the experimental starvation in either season, while some specific differences in the ultrastructure were observed. In both sexes, in both seasons, the amounts of lipids, glycogen and proteins decreased during starvation. Larger amounts of lipids were found in autumn, while there were no significant differences in the amounts of glycogen and proteins. In both sexes, in both seasons, autophagy and apoptosis intensified with starvation in progress, but more intensively in females. Thus, autumn individuals, in contrast to spring ones, compile energy-supplying stores to confront the subsequent winter deficiency of prey in caves, while the cellular ultrastructures undergo the same starvation-dependant changes at any time during the growth period. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article discusses the research study of Propappus volki, a freshwater oligochaetous annelid and found that gonad organization in P. volki is different than in Enchytraeus albidus.

The article discusses female germ-line cysts in Clitellata of the subfamily Naidinae. The article mentions of gametogenesis of Clitellata, germ cells, and formation of cysts in Clitellata. The article also mentions the early detachment of germ-line cysts from ovaries and development of coelom in two representatives of Naidinae, i.e. Chaetogaster diaphanus and Stylaria lacustris.