Exploration of the structural architecture of the silk gland of
Antheraea assamensis (Lepidoptera: Saturniidae).
Abstract
This is the first report on the detailed structural architecture of
Anthereaea assamensis Helfer, an endemic and unique species
belonging to the Brahmaputra valley of Assam and adjoining hilly areas.
Herein this study , Silk gland was dissected out and divided into
three distinctive parts posterior (PSG), middle (MSG) and anterior (ASG)
silk gland. Various microscopic techniques were adopted to understand
the histological and ultrastructural components of the silk gland along
with the flow of liquid silk in it. The fluorescence microscopic
examination of the three silk gland parts showed nuclear ramification
with an increasing pattern during the 4 th and 5
th instar. Light microscopic study of the PSG and MSG
showed a tight secretory nuclear structure with a distinct epithelium
and an unorganized, thin epithelial structure with large secretory
vesicles respectively. The ultrastructural study of the 5
th instar matured larval PSG displayed a uniformed and
thick layer of basement membrane. MSG showed similar characteristics
with the occurrence of sparsely distributed infoldings. This
comprehensive organizational study of the silk gland parts of A.
assamensis Helfer revealed the structural features responsible for silk
synthesis, storage, and its secretion.