[Structure of subepidermal tissue of gamasid mites (electron microscopy data)]

Fine structure of the subepidermal tissue was investigated in the adult predatory mite Hypoaspis miles (Gamasina: Laelapidae) and bloodsucking mite Dermanyssus gallinae (Gamasinae: Dermanyssidae) of both sexes. This tissue is analogous to the fat body of other arthropodes. The subepidermal tissue of females consists of two types of cells: cells containing a synthetic apparatus and secretory granules; cells containing storage substances. In the subepidermal tissue of H. miles, cells being similar to hemocytes were also observed. As the males of both species have only one cell type in this tissue--the storage one and the females have the secretory cells, it is suggested that the subepidermal tissue of females could probably take part in the vitellogenesis.