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Fig. 10 | BMC Biology

Fig. 10

From: Functional integration of the circulatory, immune, and respiratory systems in mosquito larvae: pathogen killing in the hemocyte-rich tracheal tufts

Fig. 10

The circulatory and immune systems of mosquito larvae and adults are functionally integrated. a In larvae, hemolymph enters the heart via the posterior incurrent openings of the heart. At this location, tracheal tuft hemocytes phagocytose and kill pathogens as they flow with the hemolymph while en route to the heart. Infection does not induce the migration of hemocytes to the tracheal tufts. b In adults, hemolymph enters the heart via ostia located in abdominal segments 2–7. At these locations, periostial hemocytes phagocytose and kill pathogens as they flow with the hemolymph while en route to the heart. Infection induces the migration of additional hemocytes to the periostial regions, where they amplify the phagocytosis response. Illustrations are not drawn to scale

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