The Subgenus Persicargas (Ixodoidea, Argasidae, Argas) 13. Histological studies on A. (P.) arboreus Kaiser, Hoogstraal & Kohls1

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Abstract
The anatomy and histology of the capitulum, salivary glands, digestive system, and Malpighian tubules of each stage of Argas (Persicargas) arboreus Kaiser, Hoogstraal & Kohls are described. The fluid-tight buccal canal is formed by the close apposition of the dorsal chelicerae and ventral hypostome. There is no buccal cavity. The pharynx is the suctorial organ and the labrum is a prepharyngeal valve preventing blood regurgitation. The adult and nymphal salivary glands consist of nongranular alveoli (Type A) with 1 cell type and granule-secreting alveoli (Type B) of 3 structurally different cell types (Ba, Bb, Bc). These glands do not change significantly during or after feeding. Larval salivary glands are similar but lack Bb cells and enlarge greatly during feeding. The midgut of the adult and immature stages consists of a median stomach and 7 pairs of diverticula. The appearance of the gut epithelium varies according to the digestive activities. The yolk material filling the larval midgut is completely digested within the first 5 days following hatching. The blood ingested during the larval and nymphal stages is partially digested during the premolting periods; digestion is completed very slowly after molting to later instars or stages. In recently fed females, rapid digestion starts ca 3 days after feeding and continues until oviposition commences; later digestion is very slow. Digestion in males proceeds similarly but is less active. The epithelium of the 2 Malpighian tubules contains Wolbachia persica Suitor & Weiss except for a few cells near the excretory receptacle. The histological changes in the Malpighian tubules are more significant during rapid digestion and oviposition. The definite defecation cycle of each developmental stage is related to the activities in the midgut and Malpighian tubules.

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