Permeability of the Body Wall of Romanomermis culicivorax to Lanthanum

Authors

  • Ann Platzer
  • Edward G. Platzer

Abstract

Ultrastructural study of the body wall of preparasitic, parasitic, and postparasitic stages of Romanomermis culicivorax showed that the cuticle of all three stages was permeable to lanthanum. The cuticle of the parasitic stage was the thinnest and showed the greatest permeability. Lanthanum accumulated on the apical surfaces of the hypodermal cells but was not found intracellularly. The negative staining characteristics of lanthanum enhanced the detection of numerous smooth septate junctions in the hypodermis of the parasitic stage. Key words: Culex pipiens, hypodermis, mermithid ultrastructure, nematode ultrastructure, septate junctions.

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Published

1985-07-15

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Section

Articles