›› 2003, Vol. 46 ›› Issue (4): 429-435.

• RESEARCH PAPERS • Previous Articles     Next Articles

Histological structures of the dung beetle, Copris ochus Motschulsky integument

CHENG Hong, CHEN Mao-Sheng, SUN Jiu-Rong   

  • Online:2003-08-20 Published:2003-08-20

Abstract: The histological structures of the dung beetle, Copris ochus Motschulsky integument was studied by microscope. There are collagenous fiber in body integument especially the ventral integument and the hymenopterous integument discovered by the H.E. and Mallory's staining. Also cavity in the elytra was found, which are supported by pier-formed pillars formed by integument sinking for supporting and reducing weight. There are cavities in the hymenoptera which are full of the brown fat glands and their secretion. The dermal cells were found in the cavities of the elytra and hymenopterous wing which suggest that the elytra and the hymenopterous wing are living structures. A lot of the brown fat glands are surrounding the muscle in the leg to provide energy and decreasing friction between muscles. There are a lot of protrusions, setae and pore canals of different diameters communicating with the outside of the body. Those structures and lots of the oil-glands with their secretions provide the orphological and chemical basis for decreasing the integument stickiness.

Key words: Copris ochus, integument, histological structure, collagenous fiber, brown fat glands