Quarterly Journal of Microscopical Science, Vol s3-102, 475-479, Copyright © 1961 by Company of Biologists

Secretory Structures associated with the Neurosecretory System of the Immature Scorpion, Heterometrus swammerdami

¹ Department of Zoology, Sri Venkateswara University, Tirupati, A.P., India

Certain previously unknown structures, probably endocrine in nature, are described. The blind ‘end-organ’ which is present and shows signs of activity in the pre-moult stage shows no noticeable sign of activity in the post-moult stage. In certain respects it is comparable to the ‘anterior organ’ of spiders, which has been homologized with the prothoracic glands of insects.

In the rostral region of the scorpion, where the rostral nerve ramifies, an accumulation of leucocytes is found; these show signs of secretory activity. Both at the origin of the rostral nerve and also where it ramifies, neurosecretory material is seen. This rostral structure is comparable in certain aspects with the rostral organ of spiders. Leucocytes occur not only in the rostral organ but also in association with the ‘endorgan’.

The presence of two ganglionic masses, above and below the stomodaeal commissure, suggests the possibility of the sympathetic (stomatogastric) ganglion of the scorpion being a composite structure consisting of the frontal ganglion, the corpus cardiacum, and possibly the hypocerebral ganglion. A hypocerebral ganglion is absent in the adult.