Ultrastructural changes in the abdominal midgut of the mosquito, Culiseta melanura, during the gonotrophic cycle

Abstract

Abdominal midguts of the mosquito, Culiseta melanura, were examined by light and electron microscopy 1 hr–14 days days after blood feeding. Epithelial cells were drastically altered from columnar to squamous in form after engorgement, and returned to columnar by day 4 after feeding. Accumulation of mitochondria along brush borders of digestive cells, followed by the appearance of large secondary lysosomes, accompanied blood digestion. Evidence was obtained that myelin-like material in the lysosomes, probably the result of mitochondrial autolysis, is extruded into the lumen. Digestive cells resumed their pre-blood meal appearance by 10–14 days post-engorgement. Regenerative cells were scattered throughout the basal portion of the epithelium, along with endocrine cells. Other midgut cells containing large, microvilli-lined apical cavities were identified in most specimens. No evidence of division or differentiation was obtained for any cell types.