Fig. 4: Internal spiracle structure of P. humanus capitis. | Communications Biology

Fig. 4: Internal spiracle structure of P. humanus capitis.

From: The ectoparasitic seal louse, Echinophthirius horridus, relies on a sealed tracheal system and spiracle closing apparatus for underwater respiration

Fig. 4

A, B Histological sections stained with toluidine blue. A Transition area of the atrium to the trachea showing the chitinous rod and a cuticular valve. Note also the mesh-like cuticular processes in the atrium. B Spiracle with laterally flanking cuticular processes. C Schematic drawing of internal spiracle structures. D 3D reconstruction of the internal spiracle structures. Muscles are shown in red and prominent cuticular structures in green/turquoise. Abbreviations: at (atrium), cr (cuticular rod), csd (cuticular shield depressor), cus (cuticular shield), cv (cuticular valve), mrd (cuticular rod depressor), mrl (cuticular rod levator), sp (spiracle), tr (trachea).

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