Fine Structure of Cephalic Sense Organs in Heterodera glycines Males

Abstract

Cephalic sense organs of Heterodera glycines males were examined in detail by electron microscopy. Each amphid basically consists of an amphidial gland, a nerve bundle, and an amphidial duct. The amphidial gland consists of a microvillous region, and laterally is closely associated with a large secretory cell. The nerve bundle penetrates the microvillous region, and further anteriorly individual nerve processes (dendrites) separate from one another, thus forming a sensilla pouch which is enveloped by the microvillous region of the gland. Anterior to the pouch, the cilia-like dendrites converge as they enter and eventually terminate in the amphidial duct. Heterodera glvcines males have the innervation basis for a full complement of sixteen papillae, although surface manifestations are present for only six minute inner labial papillae. In addition, four outer labial and four cephalic receptors terminate beneath the surface, and another two dendrite pairs end further posteriorly beneath the basal plate of the cephalic framework. Papillary receptors which terminate beneath the surface are probably mechanoreceptive, whereas inner labial papillae have pore-like openings to the exterior and may be chemoreceptive. Amphids and papillae of H. glycines are fundamentally similar to those of Meloidogyne incognita, although certain striking differences exist. Key Words: amphid, papillae, ultrastructure, cilium, cyst nematode.