Chlorophyll and its degradation products in the two-spotted spider mite, Tetranychus urticae: observations using epifluorescence and confocal laser scanning microscopy

Exp Appl Acarol. 2013 Oct;61(2):213-9. doi: 10.1007/s10493-013-9686-6. Epub 2013 Mar 17.

Abstract

Chlorophyll and chlorophyll degradation products were observed in the two-spotted spider mite (Tetranychus urticae) using epifluorescence microscopy (EFM) and confocal laser scanning microscopy (CLSM). A clear red fluorescence (EFM) and a fluorescence induced by a laser wavelength of 650 nm (CLSM) were observed. In the lateral caeca, in the ventriculus and in the excretory organ, a bright light blue fluorescence was observed in close association with chlorophyll by using EFM. The same material can be localized with CLSM by using a laser with a wavelength of 488 nm. By comparison with synthetic guanine, this bright fluorescence is supposed to be guanine. The presence of guanine fluorescence in the mite pellets confirms this hypothesis. A possible mechanism for guanine formation is discussed.

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Chlorophyll / chemistry
  • Chlorophyll / metabolism*
  • Fluorescence*
  • Microscopy, Confocal*
  • Tetranychidae / metabolism*

Substances

  • Chlorophyll