Abidi S.1, Karima M.2, Khazri O.3, Exbrayat J.M.4, Boumaiza M.1 2022. Molting gland in Gammarus fossarum C.L. Koch, 1836: characterization, histogenesis and in vitro ecdysteroids biosynthesis // Arthropoda Selecta. Vol.31. No.1: 41–49 [in English].
1 Laboratoire de Bio-surveillance de l’environnement, Equipe d’hydrobiologie Littorale et Limnique, Faculté des Sciences de Bizerte, 7021, Jarzouna, Tunisie. E-mail: abidi.sondes@yahoo.fr
2 Unit of Functional Physiology and Bio-Resources Valorization (UR17ES27), Higher Institute of Biotechnology of Beja, University of Jendouba, PB 382, Habib Bourguiba Avenue, 9000 Beja, Tunisia.
3 Laboratoire des substances bioactives, Faculté des Sciences de Bizerte, 7021, Jarzouna, Tunisie.
4 Laboratoire de biologie générale. Université Catholique 25, rue du Plat-69288 Lyon, Cedex France.
doi: 10.15298/arthsel. 31.1.05
ABSTRACT. The anatomy of the molting gland (Y-organ) in fresh water amphipod Gammarus fossarum as well as embryological and histological details of this gland are described. Y-organ is located on both sides of the oral cavity, at the level of the maxilla and mandible insertion. Its surface varied from 3100 to 4050 µm2. It is composed of lobules; each lobule contains 6 to 13 basophilic cells. In post molt, Y-organ appeared compact with an average area of 3200±48 µm2. During premolt Y-organ becomes larger (3800±204 µm2) and produces a high level of ecdysteroids. In embryos, Y-organ appears during third stage. In the 4th stage, the gland is wide. Its cells are more enriched in secretory granules and its nuclear size increases (ANOVA, p-value 0.0002). During stage 5, we observed a significant decrease in area of the gland (ANOVA, p-value = 0.05). A positive correlation (r2 = 0.88) was observed during the development stages between gland surface and size of its cells.
KEY WORDS: Y-organ, histology, ecdysteroids, histogenesis, Gammarus fossarum.