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Male Accessory Glands of Blister Beetles and Cantharidin Release: A Comparative Ultrastructural Analysis.
Muzzi, Maurizio; Mancini, Emiliano; Fratini, Emiliano; Cervelli, Manuela; Gasperi, Tecla; Mariottini, Paolo; Persichini, Tiziana; Bologna, Marco Alberto; Di Giulio, Andrea.
Afiliação
  • Muzzi M; Department of Science, University Roma Tre, 00146 Rome, Italy.
  • Mancini E; Laboratorio Interdipartimentale di Microscopia Elettronica (LIME), University Roma Tre, 00146 Rome, Italy.
  • Fratini E; Department of Biology and Biotechnology "C. Darwin", "Sapienza" University of Rome, 00185 Rome, Italy.
  • Cervelli M; Department of Science, University Roma Tre, 00146 Rome, Italy.
  • Gasperi T; Department of Science, University Roma Tre, 00146 Rome, Italy.
  • Mariottini P; Department of Science, University Roma Tre, 00146 Rome, Italy.
  • Persichini T; Department of Science, University Roma Tre, 00146 Rome, Italy.
  • Bologna MA; Department of Science, University Roma Tre, 00146 Rome, Italy.
  • Di Giulio A; Department of Science, University Roma Tre, 00146 Rome, Italy.
Insects ; 13(2)2022 Jan 26.
Article em En | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-35206706
ABSTRACT
Members of the family Meloidae are known to produce cantharidin, a highly toxic monoterpene found in their hemolymph and exuded as droplets capable of deterring many predators. As a nuptial gift, males transfer large amounts of cantharidin to females via a spermatophore, which is formed by specific accessory glands containing high concentrations of this terpene. Using light, electron and ion beam microscopy, the ultrastructural features of the three pairs of male accessory glands as well as the glandular part of the vasa deferentia were comparatively investigated in seven species of blister beetles belonging to five different tribes and two subfamilies. All gland pairs examined share common features such as mesodermal derivation, the presence of muscle sheath, a developed rough endoplasmic reticulum, abundant mitochondria, secretory vesicles, and microvillated apical membranes. Within the same species, glands exhibit distinctive features, suggesting that each pair is responsible for the formation of a specific substance. The vasa deferentia, while showing many similarities within the family, often exhibit features unique to each of the individual species investigated, whereas the accessory glands of the first and second pairs display the highest degree of ultrastructural variability. A comparison across the species shows an interesting constancy limited to ultrastructural features in the third pair of accessory glands. The similarities and differences among the species are discussed in the light of the available literature and in relation to the potential role that blister beetles' male accessory glands could play in the storage and management of cantharidin.
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Texto completo: 1 Coleções: 01-internacional Base de dados: MEDLINE Idioma: En Revista: Insects Ano de publicação: 2022 Tipo de documento: Article País de afiliação: Itália

Texto completo: 1 Coleções: 01-internacional Base de dados: MEDLINE Idioma: En Revista: Insects Ano de publicação: 2022 Tipo de documento: Article País de afiliação: Itália