W. Meyer et al., DISTRIBUTION OF ACETYLCHOLINESTERASE IN THE CENTRAL-NERVOUS-SYSTEM OFHARVESTMEN (ARACHNIDA, OPILIONIDA), Neuroscience letters, 256(2), 1998, pp. 97-100
Enzyme histochemical technique (Gomori and Koelle methods, reaction pr
oduct development according to Lewis) was applied on 10 mu m frozen se
ctions of formalin-fixed material to demonstrate the distribution of a
cetylcholinesterase in the central nervous system (CNS) of harvestmen
(Opilionida: Phalangiidae). Distinctly positive reactions were confine
d to the neuropil, showing strong staining especially in protocerebral
brain centres (optic lobes, cerebral ganglia), the cheliceral ganglia
(stomodeal bridge, afferent tracts), and the connective ring systems
of the subesophageal nerve mass. The results obtained are discussed wi
th regard to central coordinative functions of the respective brain pa
rts. (C) 1998 Elsevier Science Ireland Ltd. Ail rights reserved.