[Fine structure of glands forming porous areas (area porosa) in the European forest tick Ixodes rucinus (L.) (Ixodidae, Ixodinae)].

Abstract

The use of scanning and electron microscopy methods has shown that porous areas (area porosa) on the gnathosoma of Ixodes ricinus are formed of cuticular orifices of bicellular glands. Each gland is formed of a duct cell and a glandular cell, characterized by high degree of secretory activity. No difference in the gland structure between females and males were revealed. Questions associated with a probable function of these glands are discussed.