Abstract
The proventricular glands of the oribatid miteChamobates borealis (Trägårdh, 1902) were investigated by electron microscopy and histochemistry, and their function was tested in a laboratory experiment. Specimens of the same species collected during a field study also were investigated.
The cells of the proventricular glands are characterized by great amounts of mineral spherites and seem to be sensitive to alterations of environmental pH and concentration of CaCO3. It was demonstrated that a reduction of pH leads to a decrease of the spherites, whereas at a high pH the number of spherites increases.
The proventricular glands with their spherites seem to play an important role in regulation of mineral budget, pH and detoxification of heavy metals.
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Ludwig, M., Kratzmann, M. & Alberti, G. Observations on the proventricular glands (‘organes racémiformes’) of the oribatid miteChamobates borealis (Acari, Oribatida): an organ of interest for studies on adaptation of animals to acid soils. Exp Appl Acarol 15, 49–57 (1992). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01193967
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01193967