[Electron microscopic study of the malpighian tubules in fleas (Siphonaptera)]

A study was carried out of ultrastructure of malpighian tubules of 4 species of fleas as follows: Xenopsylla cheopis, Ceratophyllus fasciatus, Leptopsylla segnis, Ctenophthalmus orientalis. All cells of malpighian tubules are of polar structure: their apical department is represented with microvilli while basal one--with a system of membrane invaginations forming the basal labyrinth. The most developed system of basal invaginations is observed in distal cells of the malpighian tubules. Microvilli of the apical surface of the cells do not contain mitochondria, the latter are localized mainly in supranuclear and basal parts of the cell. In cells and cavity of the central and proximal parts of the malpighian tubules there are sphere crystals. Malpighian tubules of fleas have no distinct morphological departments though ultrastructure of the cells in different parts of the tubules is not identical.