INTERDEPENDENCE BETWEEN STORAGE BODIES AND EGG DEVELOPMENTAL STAGES IN MACROBIOTUS-RICHTERSI MURRAY, 1911 (TARDIGRADA)

The size and cytology of storage bodies in female Macrobiotus richters i Murray, 1911 were investigated in relation to oocyte developmental s tages. The studies employed both light and electron microscopes and al so histochemical testing for the presence of proteins and fats. In fem ales with a previtellogenic ovary, storage body sizes range from 9.00 to 10.35 mum. Storage bodies from this stage contain average amounts o f fat situated under the cell surface, and a small amount of proteins; their cytoplasm stains in a nearly homogenous way. An irregular nucle us with a spongy mucleolus is found in the central position of the cel l. The storage bodies have amoeboid shapes. In females, whose ovaries have begun vitellogenesis, storage body size varies from 8.85 to 11.70 mum. They are rich in reserve materials containing large amount of fa t and even more proteins. Their shapes are oval, eliptical or spherica l. Materials of high, medium and low density can be observed in the nu cleolus. A large lysosome is situated close to the nucleus. With the p rogress of oogenesis, the amount of reserve materials in the storage b odies diminishes. When the eggs are ready for laying, the storage bodi es contain only a small amount of fat and few proteins, have an amoebo id shape, and their size ranges from 6.10 to 7.83 mum. After laying, t he storage bodies are very small, averaging 6.40 mum. They contain tra ce amounts of fat and proteins. Many mitochondria can be seen within t he cytoplasm, containing electron-dense materials and also a lysosome with granular structures of varying density. The nucleolus shows a mos aic structure.