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Exploration of the structural architecture of the silk gland of Antheraea assamensis (Lepidoptera: Saturniidae).
  • Anurupa Goswami,
  • Dipali Devi
Anurupa Goswami
Dr B Borooah Cancer Society Trust
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Dipali Devi
Institute of Advanced Study in Science and Technology

Corresponding Author:[email protected]

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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.
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