The hemocytes of a millipede, Thyropygus poseidon

Abstract

Some of the cytological and histochemical characteristics of hemocytes of Thyropygus poseidon were studied. Jone's system of classification of hemocytes was extended to millipede hemocytes. Seven classes were identified as prohemocytes, plasmatocytes, granular hemocytes, cytocytes, oenocytoids, spherule cells and adipohemocytes. Oenocytoids were rarely found. All cells except prohemocytes and oenocytoids sequestered oxidized products of catechol. Results of the histochemical tests for proteins also suggest that these cells sequester plasma proteins. Cytocytes do not bring about any visible coagulation similar to the hemocytes of some hemipteran insects. Granular hemocytes contain phenol‐oxidase capable of oxidising tyrosine as well as catechol, similar to the hemocytes of crustaceans. In this respect millipede hemocytes differ from insect hemocytes. It is suggested that these cell types may represent distinct cell lines and may not represent transformation of one cell type to another.

Ultrastructure and regeneration of midgut epithelial cells in Lithobius forficatus (Chilopoda, Lithobiidae)

“…In L. forficatus, five types of hemocytes have been found within the hemolymph (Nevermann et al. ), while in other centipedes three types mainly occur: prohemocytes, plasmatocytes, and granulocytes (Ravindranath ; Nevermann et al. ; Hilken et al.…”

“…In chilopods, hemocytes have also been described as cells responsible for the protection of the midgut epithelium against an invasion of pathogens (Bowen 1968;Nevermann et al 1991;Xylander 1992). In L. forficatus, five types of hemocytes have been found within the hemolymph (Nevermann et al 1991), while in other centipedes three types mainly occur: prohemocytes, plasmatocytes, and granulocytes (Ravindranath 1973;Nevermann et al 1991;Hilken et al 2003;Xylander & Nevermann 2006;Xylander 2009a). Hemocytes have been observed between visceral muscle fibers, beneath the basal lamina, and within the midgut epithelium between digestive cells in L. forficatus; according to the literature on classification of chilopod hemocytes, these cells are probably granulocytes.…”

Haemocytes in Haemolymph Coagulation of Arthropods

“…(iii) Histochemistry. A number of authors have characterized the granules histochemically (Hoffmann, 1967;Ravindranath, 1973Ravindranath, , 1975FranGois, 1974;Costin, 1975). Hoffmann (1967) observed that the granules of cystocytes are periodic acid-Schiff (PAS)-positive after amylase treatment, Alcian blue-positive and exhibit pyridine-labile sudanophilia.…”

“…In arthropods in general, haemocytes have been classified into as many as seven types. The classification and nomenclature proposed by Jones (1962) for insect haemocytes appears suitable also for arthropods of other groups (Sherman, 1973 ;Ravindranath, 1973Ravindranath, ,1974a, b, 1 9 7 5~; Gupta, 1979). The following are the haemocytes commonly seen in arthropods : prohaemocytes, plasmatocytes, granular haemocytes, cystocytes, spherule cells and adipohaemocytes.…”

Assessment of the Toxic Potential of Sewage Sludge in the Midgut of the Diplopod Rhinocricus padbergi

“…The haemocytes can be defined as a mixture of types of cells with different morphologies and biological functions (Falleiros et al 2003). Studies about the diplopods haemocytes are scarce; the first work carried out in this sense was with the milliped Thyropygus poseidon (Ravindranath 1973), in which the author compared the types of haemocytes found in this species with the classification carried out by Jones (1962) for insects haemocytes.…”