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Journal of Experimental Biology 116,53-67 (1985)
Published by Company of Biologists 1985

Fluid Secretion by the Malpighian Tubules of the Dragonfly Libellula Quadrimaculata

S. P. NICHOLLS ¹

¹ Department of Zoology, University of Bristol, Woodland Road, Bristol

Fluid secretion by the Malpighian tubules of Libellula quadrimaculata is unusual in that it is dependent on sodium and entirely independent of potassium in the external medium. It is suggested that this is due to the primitive, sodium-rich haemolymph of the Odonata. Similarities between these tubules and those of the millipede Glomeris marginata, which has a similar sodium-based haemolymph, support this view. Fluid secretion by the tubules is also dependent on the osmotic pressure of the external medium, declining considerably at higher osmotic pressures. However, there is no difference in the secretory rates of tubules isolated from larvae adapted to tap water, de-ionized water or salt water, even though there are large differences in the haemolymph osmotic pressure under these different conditions. This suggests some form of adaptation of the tubules in larvae from these different conditions. A factor which causes a five- to six-fold increase in the rate of secretion was present in the thoracic ganglia, and a slightly lower increase in secretion rate was recorded in larvae that had been feeding.