Morphology and ultrastructure changes of Haemaphysalis longicornis Neumann (Acari: Ixodidae) female adult ticks at different developmental stages

ABSTRACT

Haemaphysalis longicornis Neumann (Ixodida: Ixodidae) are well known as vectors for a great variety of infections pathogens. In the present study, we investigated the morphology and ultrastructure changes of the midgut in the female adult H. longicornis at different developmental stages. The results showed that the midgut of H. longicornis consisted of a central ventriculus, a pair of anterior lateral diverticulum, and posterior lateral diverticulum. At various developmental stages, great changes were observed in the midgut of H. longicornis, and the midgut reached the maximum on the day of engorgement. Meanwhile, four types of cells, stem cells, digestive cells, replacement cells, and vitellogenic cells, had been discovered in the epithelial wall of midgut in female adult H. longicornis. These results will provide important information for future studies of midgut and tick control.

KEYWORDS:

• Haemaphysalis longicornis
• midgut
• morphology
• ultrastructure
• developmental stage

Acknowledgments

This work was supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China [31402022], the Natural Science Foundation of Hebei Province [C2015205191,C2015205126], the Natural Science Foundation of Hebei Education Department [QN2014056], and Doctor Foundation of Hebei Normal University [L2013B11].

Additional information

Funding

This work was supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China [31402022], Natural Science Foundation of Hebei Province [C2015205126,C2015205191], Natural Science Foundation of Hebei Education Department [QN2014056] and Doctor Foundation of Hebei Normal University [L2013B11].