Ultrastructure of sensillum t 1 on the foretarsus of Acerentomon majus berlese (Protura : Acerentomidae)

Abstract

The shape and ultrastructure of sensillum t 1 on the foretarsus of the proturan, Acerentomon majus Berlese have been described by means of scanning and transmission electron microscopy. Sensillum t 1 is a club-shaped structure, innervated by 3 sensory cells. Each cell is bipolar, with a single dendrite whose ciliary region has a 9-doublet structure. The terminal parts of 2 of the 3 dentrites, filled with many single microtubules, penetrate the cuticular hair, and in the apical swollen region of the sensillum divide into several dendritic branches. The third dendrite terminates as a tubular body at the base of the peg. A sheath-producing cell, a trichogen cell, and one tormogen cell envelop the dendrites. The latter cell has abundant smooth endoplasmic reticulum and produces a very peculiar secretion that is discharged in the space between the cuticular sheath around the dendrites and the cuticle of the hair. A palisade of tubules, 14nm high, is present beneath the cuticle of the apical part of the sensillum; at this level, the cuticle is perforated by numerous pores through which passes a dense material, forming a continuous layer over the cuticle. An olfactory function of sensillum t 1 has been proposed.