Functional Morphology and Histology of Sensory Comb Organ (Pectine) of Mesobuthus gibbosus (Brullé, 1832) Scorpion (Scorpionidae: Buthidae)

Abstract

Scorpions are venomous arthropods in Arachnida classis; they are thought to be related with the spiders, ticks and mites. However, scorpions have sensory organs called sensory comb organ (pectine) and their structure are distinctive other relatives. The objective of the present study, is to characterize the morphological and histological features of pectines (sensory comb) organ of scorpion species Mesobuthus gibbosus (Brullé, 1832) (Scorpionidae: Buthidae) were identified by using light microscope and scanning electron microscope (SEM). The pectines were prepared by following routine electron microscope procedures and routine paraffin methods and the sections were stained by hematoxylin-eosin stain. The pectines of M. gibbosus are paired sensory organs located on the ventrolateral of second segments of mesosoma, the comb like each pectin organ consist of marginal lamella, different number of median lamella and teeth. Pectines have several sensory hairs and peg sensilla of tip of the tooth. The transverse sections of pectines organ were observed that each peg sensilum innerved by many sensory neurons.