Abstract
The anterior midgut (crop) cells of Rhodnius prolixus Stl undergo several modifications following a blood meal. The basal plasma membrane is highly folded, and within 2 h of feeding these folds separate so that a large surface area of membrane is exposed for rapid transport of water across the epithelium. On the apical cell surface, extracellular membrane layers are produced, but their extensive proliferation is not seen. In contrast to other midgut regions, no well-defined post-bloodmeal modifications to the lysosomes or rough endoplasmic reticulum are observed. Intracellular spherites are present only in crop cells of Rhodnius and are considered to be reservoirs of inorganic ions retained during diuresis. Large quantities of lipidlike inclusions are also found in the crop cells, many more than in other midgut regions. The crop ultrastructure is related to its functions in rapid diuresis of water from the midgut lumen, in mineral ion regulation, in digestion of some nonprotein components, and as a nutrient storage organ. Differences between the ultrastructure of the anterior and posterior midgut cells are attributed to their different functions during digestion.
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