Zur Feinstruktur der rektalen Tracheenkiemen von anisopteren Libellenlarven. II. Das rektale Chloridepithel

The epithelial pads at the base of the rectal gill lamellae in Aeshna cyanea (Muller) larvae exhibit fine structural features characteristic of ion transporting epithelia. Histochemical demonstration of chloride reveals an accumulation of these ions within the cuticule and apical cytoplasma of the epithelia, which are consequently designated rectal chloride epithelia. Their functional involvement in osmotic hyperregulation is discussed.