ON THE PHYSIOLOGY OF RESPIRATION IN CULEX (ZUR PHYSIOLOGIE DER ATMUNG BY CULEX)
Abstract
The resistance of the central nervous system to the lack of oxygen diminishes in the ontogenetic evolution of Culex from the larva to the pupa and especially to the imago progressively. The special respiratory movements are developed in connection with this in the imago alone; it is also possible to find in the latter a typical chemical regulation of the respiratory movements (dyspnoic elevation of the rate of respiration). Remarks are made on the physiology of the respiratory syphon of the larva and the respiratory trumpets of the pupa (esp. observations and experiments concerning the essential signification of the extremity of these organs), on the behavior of them in hydrogen, the respiratory function of the (tracheal) gills of the larva, the cutaneous respiration and the respiratory signification of the distal extremity of the alimentary tube. The phenomena during the asphyxia in the body of the larva are described, especially, how the two main tracheal trunks, though there is distinctly developed a spiral thread in their wall, are flattened and 'emptied,' a behavior which differs greatly from the hitherto supposed merely mechanical function of the chitin wall of the air-tubes; the living wall of the air-tube is probably an active instrument in the normal ventilation of the trachea.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Sep 19, 1963
- Accession Number
- AD0836165
Entities
People
- Edward Babak
Organizations
- United States Army Biological Warfare Laboratories