Fluid secretion by isolated upper and lower portions of Malpighian tubules in the centipede Lithobius forficatus L. was studied. Ion requirements, cellular and transepithelial potentials, dependence on external osmolality and the effects of an insect diuretic factor and transport-active drugs were investigated. Unlike many insects, L. forficatus exhibited strongly Na+-dependent, K+-independent urine formation. However, as in many insects, upper and lower tubule portions from L. forficatus produced a K+-enriched, hypertonic fluid, and the transepithelial potential was positive with respect to the haemolymph. Furthermore, furosemide (5×10−4moll−1) reversibly inhibited urine formation. Ouabain, even at 10−3moll−1, had little effect on urine flow rate in upper tubules but inhibited secretion in lower tubules, albeit not completely. Locust diuretic hormone (at 10−7moll−1) enhanced fluid secretion in L. forficatus, but its action was not mimicked by dibutyryl cyclic AMP. The results suggest that some characteristics attributed exclusively to insects are common to non-insect arthropods.
JOURNAL ARTICLE|
01 July 1991
Insect-Like Characteristics of the Malpighian Tubules of a Non-Insect: Fluid Secretion in the Centipede Uthobius Forficatus (Myriapoda: Chilopoda)
ANGELA WENNING,
ANGELA WENNING
1 Fakultät fur Biologie, Universität Konstanz, Postfach 5560, W-7750 Konstanz
Search for other works by this author on:
U. T. E. GREISINGER,
U. T. E. GREISINGER
1 Fakultät fur Biologie, Universität Konstanz, Postfach 5560, W-7750 Konstanz
Search for other works by this author on:
JACQUES P. PROUX
JACQUES P. PROUX
2 Laboratoiré de Neuroendocrinologie, UA CNRS 1138, Université de Bordeaux I, Avenue des Facultés, F-33405 Talence Cedex
Search for other works by this author on:
ANGELA WENNING
1 Fakultät fur Biologie, Universität Konstanz, Postfach 5560, W-7750 Konstanz
U. T. E. GREISINGER
1 Fakultät fur Biologie, Universität Konstanz, Postfach 5560, W-7750 Konstanz
JACQUES P. PROUX
2 Laboratoiré de Neuroendocrinologie, UA CNRS 1138, Université de Bordeaux I, Avenue des Facultés, F-33405 Talence Cedex
Accepted:
27 Mar 1991
Online Issn: 1477-9145
Print Issn: 0022-0949
© 1991 by Company of Biologists
1991
J Exp Biol (1991) 158 (1): 165–180.
Article history
Accepted:
27 Mar 1991
Citation
ANGELA WENNING, U. T. E. GREISINGER, JACQUES P. PROUX; Insect-Like Characteristics of the Malpighian Tubules of a Non-Insect: Fluid Secretion in the Centipede Uthobius Forficatus (Myriapoda: Chilopoda). J Exp Biol 1 July 1991; 158 (1): 165–180. doi: https://doi.org/10.1242/jeb.158.1.165
Download citation file: