Contributions to Zoology, 69 (1/2) (2000) The distribution of
exocrine glands in Lepeophtheirus salmonis and Caligus elongatus
(Copepoda: Caligidae) S. Bell , J.E. Bron , C. Sommerville
Keywords: gland, sea lice, diaminobenzidine, peroxidase,
Caligidae, Copepoda The morphology, function and distribution of
exocrine glands of copepods have rarely been studied in detail
and almost nothing is known about them in the sea lice species
L. salmonis and C. elongatus. This study utilised a novel
application of a light-microscopy staining technique to reveal a
variety of glands in nauplius, copepodid, chalimus, preadult and
adult stages. The stain, 3’,3-diaminobenzidine
tetrahydrochloride (DAB), applied to fresh material,
differentiated a population of exocrine glands and enabled a
study of their distribution. The stain was successful in
highlighting the ducts and pores associated with the larger
glands. The locations of gland sub-populations were conserved in
all life-stages, although glands in the swimming legs were