Evolutionary origin and functioning of pregenital abdominal outgrowths in a viviparous insect, Arixenia esau.

ABSTRACT: Although pregenital abdominal outgrowths occur only rarely in pterygote insects, they are interesting from the evolutionary viewpoint because of their potential homology to wings. Our previous studies of early development of an epizoic dermapteran, Arixenia esau revealed that abdominal segments of the advanced embryos and larvae, growing inside a mother's uterus, are equipped with paired serial outgrowths. Here, we focus on the origin and functioning of these outgrowths. We demonstrate that they bud from the lateral parts of the abdominal nota, persist till the end of intrauterine development, and remain in contact with the uterus wall. We also show that the bundles of muscle fibers associated with the abdominal outgrowths may facilitate flow of the haemolymph from the outgrowths' lumen to

SUBMITTER: Tworzydlo W 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6834671 | biostudies-literature | 2019 Nov

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature