Abstract
Physical methods to control pest arthropods are increasing in importance, but detailed knowledge of the effects of some of these methods on the target organisms is lacking. The aim of this study was to use light sheet fluorescence microscopy (LSFM) in anatomical studies of blood-sucking arthropods in vivo to assess the suitability of this method to investigate the morphological structures of arthropods and changes in these structures over time, using the human louse Pediculus humanus (Phthiraptera: Pediculidae) as sample organism. Plasma treatment was used as an example of a procedure employed to control arthropods. The lice were prepared using an artificial membrane feeding method involving the ingestion of human blood alone and human blood with an added fluorescent dye in vitro. It was shown that such staining leads to a notable enhancement of the imaging contrast with respect to unstained whole lice and internal organs that can normally not be viewed by transmission microscopy but which become visible by this approach. Some lice were subjected to plasma treatment to inflict damage to the organisms, which were then compared to untreated lice. Using LSFM, a change in morphology due to plasma treatment was observed.These results demonstrate that fluorescence staining coupled with LSFM represents a powerful and straightforward method enabling the investigation of the morphology—including anatomy—of blood-sucking lice and other arthropods.Graphical
Highlights
Physical methods to control pest arthropods are increasing in importance, but detailed knowledge of the effects of some of these methods on the target organisms is lacking
These results demonstrate that fluorescence staining coupled with light sheet fluorescence microscopy (LSFM) represents a powerful and straightforward method enabling the investigation of the morphology—including anatomy—of blood-sucking lice and other arthropods
LSFM scans were performed on the control group of freshly fed lice, without adding dye to the human blood
Summary
Physical methods to control pest arthropods are increasing in importance, but detailed knowledge of the effects of some of these methods on the target organisms is lacking. These results demonstrate that fluorescence staining coupled with LSFM represents a powerful and straightforward method enabling the investigation of the morphology—including anatomy—of blood-sucking lice and other arthropods. Light sheet fluorescence microscopy (LSFM), known as single plane illumination microscopy (SPIM), is increasingly becoming the technique of choice for the study of larger samples.
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
