Ultrastructural studies on the salivary glands of ticks : Haemaphysalis leachii leachii (Audouin) (Ixodoidea: Ixodidae) and Ornithodoros (Ornithodoros) moubata (Murray) (Ixodoidea: Argasidae)

Salivary glands of the unfed tick Haemaphysalis leachii contain four types of alveoli. Type I alveoli have the morphological characteristics of transporting epithelia. Types II, III and IV are granule-secreting alveoli and are considered to secrete the enzymes and cement components required during feeding. After female attachment, types II, III and IV alveoli are initially concerned with the secretion of granular materials but become involved with fluid secretion as feeding progresses. Salivary glands of the unfed ticks Ornithodoros moubata contain two types of alveoli. Type I is similar to that of H. leachii. Type II are granule-secreting alveoli but structurally differ from those of H. leachii. These alveoli do not secrete cement and are not significantly active during feeding. Salivation processes in the tick H. leachii and 0. moubata seem to be mainly under neural control.