Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Origine et nature de la membrane exuviale chez la nymphe de Tenebrio molitor L. (Ins. Coleoptera)

  • Published:
Zeitschrift für Zellforschung und Mikroskopische Anatomie Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Summary

The formation of the ecdysial membrane during the pupal life of Tenebrio molitor is studied by histochemical and electron microscopical techniques.

During the first hours of the pupal life, the epidermis secretes a lipoprotein complex which contains sterols. The term stabilizing material is applied to this secretion. The stabilizing material is added to the subcuticle and to a part of the last endocuticular lamella. After epidermis retraction, this material is condensed on the chitin framework of the subcuticle to form an ecdysial membrane resistant to the moulting fluid.

The reaction of the subcuticle and ecdysial membrane to different histochemical tests (especially to the PAS-test), is discussed.

Resumé

La formation de la membrane exuviale chez la nymphe de Tenebrio molitor est étudiée à l'aide de techniques histochimiques et au microscope électronique.

Dès les premières heures de la vie nymphale, l'épiderme sécrète, en même temps que les lamelles d'endocuticule post-exuviale, un matériel de stabilisation de nature lipoprotéique. Ce matériel se dépose sur la sous-cuticule et sur une partie de la dernière lamelle d'endocuticule formée. Après le décollement de l'ancienne cuticule, le matériel de stabilisation se condense sur la trame chitineuse de la sous-cuticule pour former une membrane exuviale résistante au liquide de mue.

La réaction de la sous-cuticule et de la membrane exuviale aux différents tests histochimiques, en particulier à l'APS, est discutée.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Similar content being viewed by others

Bibliographie

  • Adams, C. W. M.: A perchloric acid naphtoquinone method for the histochemical localization of cholesterol. Nature (Lond.) 192, 331 (1961).

    Google Scholar 

  • Anderson, W. A., and R. A. Ellis: Ultrastructure of Trypanosoma lewisi: flagellum, microtubules and the kinetoplast. J. Protozool. 12, 483–499 (1965).

    Google Scholar 

  • Baker, G., J. H. Pepper, L. H. Johnson and E. Hastings: Estimation of the composition of the cuticular wax of the mormon cricket, Anabrus simplex Hald. J. Ins. Physiol. 5, 47–60 (1960).

    Google Scholar 

  • Bergmann, W.: The composition of the ether extractive from exuviae of the silkworm, Bombyx mori. Ann. Ent. Soc. Amer. 31, 315–321 (1938).

    Google Scholar 

  • Brunet, P.: Periodic acid-Schiff reaction in the insect cuticle. Science 116, 126 (1952).

    Google Scholar 

  • Delachambre, J.: Remarques sur l'histophysiologie des oenocytes épidermiques de la nymphe de Tenebrio molitor. C. R. Acad. Sci. (Paris) 263, 764–767 (1966).

    Google Scholar 

  • Dennell, R.: A study of an insect cuticle: the larval cuticle of Sarcophaga falculata. Proc. roy. Soc. B 133, 348–373 (1946).

    Google Scholar 

  • —: The cuticle of Periplaneta americana. 6. The composition of the cuticle as determined by quantitative analysis. Proc. roy. Soc. B 145, 249–258 (1956).

    Google Scholar 

  • —: The amino-acid metabolism of a developing insect cuticle: the larval cuticle and puparium of Calliphora vomitoria. 1. Changes in amino acid composition during development. Proc. roy. Soc. B 148, 270–279 (1958).

    Google Scholar 

  • —, and S. R. A. Malek: The cuticle of the cockroach, Periplaneta americana. I: The appearance and histological structure of the dorsal surface of the abdomen. Proc. roy. Soc. 143, 126–136 (1954).

    Google Scholar 

  • —: The cuticle of the cockroach, Periplaneta americana. II: The epicuticle. Proc. roy. Soc. B 143, 239–257 (1955).

    Google Scholar 

  • Duchateau, G., et M. Florkin: Sur la composition de l'arthropodine et de la scléroprotéine cuticulaires de deux Crustacés Décapodes. Physiol. comp. (s.-Grav.) 3, 365–369 (1954).

    Google Scholar 

  • Fraenkel, G., M. Blewett, and M. Coles: The nutrition of the mealworm, Tenebrio molitor L. Physiol. Zool. 23, 92–108 (1950).

    Google Scholar 

  • Fuzeau-Braesch, S.: Etude de la pigmentation tégumentaire des Insectes à l'aide de radioéléments. In: Radiation and radioisotopes applied to insects of agricultural importance, p. 289–297, Wien 1963.

  • Gilby, A. R., and M. E. Cox: The cuticular lipids of the cockroach, Periplaneta americana (L.) J. Ins. Physiol. 9, 671–681 (1963).

    Google Scholar 

  • Hackman, R. H.: Chemistry of insect cuticle. 1 à 3. Biochem. J. 54, 362–377 (1953).

    Google Scholar 

  • —: Studies on chitin. IV: The occurence of complexes in which chitin and protein are covalently linked. Aust. J. biol. Sci. 13, 568–577 (1960).

    Google Scholar 

  • —: Chemistry of the insect cuticle. In: Rockstein, The physiology of insecta, vol. III, p. 451–506. New York: Academic Press 1964.

    Google Scholar 

  • —, and M. Goldberg: Proteins of the larval cuticle of Agrianome spinicollis (Col.). J. Ins. Physiol. 2, 221–231 (1958).

    Google Scholar 

  • Hale, A. J.: The histochemistry of the polysaccharides. Int. Rev. Cytol. 6, 193–267 (1957).

    Google Scholar 

  • Hanker, J. S., C. Deb, H. L. Wasserkrug, and A. M. Seligman: Staining tissue for light and electron microscopy by bridging metals with multidentate ligands. Science 152, 1631–1634 (1966).

    Google Scholar 

  • Hinton, H. E.: Concealed phases in the metamorphosis of insects. Sci. Progr. 182, 260–275 (1958).

    Google Scholar 

  • Jeanloz, R., et E. Forchielli: Recherches sur l'acide hyaluronique et les substances apparentées. III: La détermination de la chitine par oxydation avec l'ion periodate. Helv. chim. Acta 33, 1690–1697 (1950).

    Google Scholar 

  • —: Studies on hyaluronic acid and related substances. II. Periodate oxydation of glucosamine and dérivates. J. biol. Chem. 188, 361–369 (1951).

    Google Scholar 

  • Jeuniaux, C.: Chitine et chitinolyse. Paris: Masson & Cie. 1963.

    Google Scholar 

  • Johnson, L. H., J. H. Pepper, M. N. Botkin Banning, E. Hastings, and R. S. Clark: Composition of the protein material in the exuviae of the mormon cricket, Anabrus simplex Hald. Physiol. Zool. 25, 250–258 (1952).

    Google Scholar 

  • Karlson, P., u. I. Schlossberger-Raecke: Zum Tyrosinstoffwechsel der Insekten. 8. Die Sclerotisierung der Cuticula bei der Wildform und die Albinomutante von Schistocerca gregaria Forsk. J. Ins. Physiol. 8, 441–452 (1962).

    Google Scholar 

  • Kennauch, J. H.: Amino-acid metabolism, polyphenol production and the process of tanning in the cockroach, Periplaneta americana. J. Ins. Physiol. 2, 97–107 (1958).

    Google Scholar 

  • Krishnan, G., and G. Sundara Rajulu: Mode of hardening of the cuticle of Machilis variabilis (Apterygota: Thysanura). Curr. Sci. 33, 639–640 (1964).

    Google Scholar 

  • Kuhnelt, W.: Ein Beitrag zur Histochemie des Insektenskelettes. Zool. Anz. 75, 111–113 (1928).

    Google Scholar 

  • Lison, L.: Histochimie et cytochimie animales. Paris: Gauthier-Villars 1960.

    Google Scholar 

  • Locke, M.: The formation of tracheae and tracheoles in Rhodnius prolixus. Quart. J. micr. Sci. 99, 29–46 (1958).

    Google Scholar 

  • —: The cuticle and wax secretion in Calpodes ethlius (Lep. Hesperidae). Quart. J. micr. Sci. 101, 333–338 (1960).

    Google Scholar 

  • —: Pore canals and related structures in insect cuticle. J. biophys. biochem. Cytol. 10, 589–618 (1961).

    Google Scholar 

  • —: The structure and formation of the integument in insects. In: Rockstein. The physiology of insecta, vol. III, p. 379–470. New York: Academic Press 1964.

    Google Scholar 

  • Lugg, J. W. H.: Some sources of error in the estimation of cysteine and cystine in complex materials when acid hydrolysis is employed. Biochem. J. 27, 1022–1029 (1933).

    Google Scholar 

  • Malek, S. R. A.: An ecdysial membrane in the locust cuticle. Nature (Lond.) 178, 1185–1186 (1956).

    Google Scholar 

  • —: The origin and nature of the ecdysial membrane in Schistocerca gregaria Forksäl. J. Ins. Physiol 2, 298–312 (1958).

    Google Scholar 

  • Marinozzi, V.: Silver impregnation of ultrathin sections for electron microscopy. J. biophys. biochem. Cytol. 9, 121–133 (1961).

    Google Scholar 

  • Mori, T.: The electron microscopical studies on the fine structure of the integument in the silkworm, Bombyx mori L. Kontyu 33, 385–426 (1965).

    Google Scholar 

  • Passoneau, J. V., and C. M. Williams: The moulting fluid of the Cecropia silkworm. J. exp. Biol. 30, 545–560 (1953).

    Google Scholar 

  • Ravetto, C., G. Scalabrino, F. Frumento, L. Secchi e F. Galluzo: Identificazione istochimica del lipidi. 1. I metodi. Riv. Istoch. Norm. Pat. 11, 3–50 (1965).

    Google Scholar 

  • Reiner, G. B.: The Schultz histochemical reaction for cholesterol: observations on specificity and sensivity. Lab. Invest. 2, 140–144 (1953).

    Google Scholar 

  • Richards, A. G.: Studies on arthropod cuticle. 7. Patent and masked carbohydrate in the epicuticle of insects. Science 115, 206–208 (1952).

    Google Scholar 

  • —: Studies on arthropod cuticle. XI: The ecdysial membrane. J. Morph. 96, 537–554 (1955).

    Google Scholar 

  • —: The ecdysial membrane of the moth, Ephestia kühniella. Z. Naturforsch. 13b, 811–812 (1958).

    Google Scholar 

  • -Sclerotization and the localization of brown and black colors in insects. Zool. Jb. Abt. Anat. u. Ontog. 84 (1967). (sous presse).

  • —, and F. H. Korda: Studies on arthropod cuticle. II: Electron microscope studies of extracted cuticle. Biol. Bull. 94, 212–235 (1948).

    Google Scholar 

  • Rinterknecht, E., et P. Levi: Etude au microscope électronique du cycle cuticulaire au cours du 4ème stade larvaire chez Locusta migratoria. Z. Zellforsch. 72, 390–407 (1966).

    Google Scholar 

  • Runham, N. W.: Investigation into the histochemistry of chitin. J. Histochem. Cytochem. 9, 86–92 (1961).

    Google Scholar 

  • —: Further investigation on the histochemistry of molluscan chitin. J. Histochem. Cytochem. 10, 504 (1962).

    Google Scholar 

  • Schlossberger-Raecke, I., u. P. Karlson: Zum Tyrosinstoffwechsel der Insekten. 13. Radioautographische Lokalisation von Tyrosinmetaboliten in der Cuticula von Schistocerca gregaria Forsk. J. Ins. Physiol. 10, 261–266, (1964).

    Google Scholar 

  • Schmidt, E. L.: Observations on the subcuticular layer in the insect integument. J. Morph. 99, 211–231 (1956).

    Google Scholar 

  • Schram, E., J. P. Dustin, S. Moore et E. J. Bigwood: Application de la chromatographie sur échangeur d'ions à l'étude de la composition des aliments en acides aminés. Anal. Chim. Acta 9, 149–162 (1953).

    Google Scholar 

  • Seligman, A. M., J. S. Hanker, H. Wasserkrug, H. Dmochowski, and L. Katzoff: Histochemical demonstration of some oxidized macromolecules with thiocarbohydrazide (TCH) or thiosemicarbazide (TSC) and osmium tetroxide. J. Histochem. Cytochem. 13, 629–639 (1965).

    Google Scholar 

  • Selman, B. J.: On the tissue isolated in some of the larval appendages of Sialis lutaria L. at the larval-pupal moult. J. Ins. Physiol. 4, 235–257 (1960).

    Google Scholar 

  • Taylor, R. L., and A. G. Richards: The subimaginal cuticle of the mayfly Callibaetis sp. (Ephemeroptera). Ann. Ent. Soc. Amer. 56, 418–426 (1963).

    Google Scholar 

  • —: Integumentary changes during moulting of arthropods with special references to the subcuticle and ecdysial membrane. J. Morph. 116, 1–22 (1965).

    Google Scholar 

  • Travis, D. F.: The deposition of skeletal structures in the Crustacea. 5: Histomorphological and histochemical changes associated with the development of the branchial exoskeleton in the crayfish. Orconectes virilis Hagen. Acta histochem. (Jena) 20, 193–222 (1965).

    Google Scholar 

  • Trim, A. R. H.: Studies in the chemistry of the insect cuticle. 1: Some general observations on certain arthropod cuticles with special references to the characterization of the proteins. Biochem. J. 35, 1088–1098 (1941).

    Google Scholar 

  • Wigglesworth, V. B.: The structure and deposition of the cuticle in the adult mealworm, Tenebrio molitor L. (Coleoptera). Quart. J. micr. Sci. 89, 197–217 (1948).

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Laboratoire de Zoologie, Dijon

    J. Delachambre

Authors
  1. J. Delachambre
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Additional information

Nous tenons à exprimer notre reconnaissance au Professeur A. G. Richards pour la lecture du manuscrit et ses intéressantes suggestions, et au Dr M. Gabe pour ses précieux renseignements concernant l'étude histochimique. Notre gratitude va également àu Professeur Ch. Noirot, notre directeur de recherche, pour ses encouragements constants et son aide efficace.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Delachambre, J. Origine et nature de la membrane exuviale chez la nymphe de Tenebrio molitor L. (Ins. Coleoptera). Zeitschrift für Zellforschung 81, 114–134 (1967). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00344556

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00344556

Search

Navigation