Ultrastructural and cytochemical aspects of metamorphosis in the midgut of Apis mellifera L. (Hymenoptera: Apidae: Apinae).
The midgut of Apis mellifera is remodeled during metamorphosis. The epithelium and, to a lesser extent, the muscular sheath degenerate between the end of the last larval instar and the onset of pupation (prepupa). The larval epithelium is shed to the midgut lumen and digested, while a new epithelium is reconstructed from larval regenerative cells. During pupation, some reorganization still occurs, mainly in brown-eyed pupae. In pharate adult, the midgut wall shows the characteristics of adult, although some cells have pycnotic nuclei. The localization of alkaline and acid phosphatases showed that these enzymes were not involved in the reabsorption of the midgut wall.
Departamento de Biologia, Instituto de Biociências, Universidade Estadual Paulista, São Paulo, Brasil. cclandim@rc.unesp.br
Carminda
C
da Cruz-Landim
Vagner Melo
VM
Cavalcante
D000818:Animals; D001516:Bees / Q000033:anatomy & histology / Q000502:physiology*; D001938:Brazil; D004064:Digestive System / Q000166:cytology* / Q000648:ultrastructure*; D007814:Larva / Q000166:cytology / Q000502:physiology / Q000648:ultrastructure; D008675:Metamorphosis, Biological / Q000502:physiology*; D008854:Microscopy, Electron; D010744:Phosphoric Monoester Hydrolases / Q000502:physiology
D010744:Phosphoric Monoester Hydrolases