Ultrastructure of the Foveal Glands of the Ticks, Dermacentor andersoni Stiles and D. variabilis (Say)

Abstract

The foveal glands of Dermacentor variabilis appear to consist of 2 cell types. The outer cells (Type I) are active, with large areas of abundant finely granular material, apparently precursors of the mature secretory granules. The inner cells (Type II) are apparently storage cells. They are highly vacuolated and contain coarsely granular material as well as presumably mature secretory granules. The foveal glands of D. andersoni contain only Type II cells with extensive accumulations of presumably mature secretory granules.