title: Sexual dimorphism and developmental change of the salivary glands in adult Culicoides variipennis (Diptera: Ceratopogonidae).
abstract: Salivary glands of adult male and female Culicoides variipennis (Coquillett) were sexually dimorphic when examined by phase contrast light microscopy. Female salivary glands were larger and more complex than those in males. Each female gland consisted of a main gland, which was subdivided into a proximal neck and a distal body with reference to the salivary duct, and four accessory glands. Each male salivary gland consisted of a pear-shaped body with a constriction, or neck, that divided it into a proximal and a distal portion, with reference to the salivary duct. Salivary glands of both sexes increased in length from emergence to day 3, followed by a sex-specific pattern of decrease. Based on these morphological observations, we suggest that the salivary glands of female C. variipennis are specialized in the production of secretory materials for blood-feeding.
authors: USDA Arthropod-Borne Animal Diseases Research Laboratory, Laramie, WY 82071.
authors: A A
authors: AA
authors: Perez de Leon
authors: J E
authors: JE
authors: Lloyd
authors: W J
authors: WJ
authors: Tabachnick
mesh_terms: D000375:Aging; D000818:Animals; D002519:Ceratopogonidae / Q000254:growth & development*; D005260:Female; D008297:Male; D008858:Microscopy, Phase-Contrast; D012469:Salivary Glands / Q000166:cytology* / Q000254:growth & development; D012727:Sex Characteristics; D012737:Sex Factors