Synganglial and neurosecretory morphology of female Ornithodoros parkeri (cooley) (acari: Argasidae).

Single esophageal and paired cheliceral, palpal, pedal (I-IV), and opisthosomal nerves enter the synganglion and form specific neuropilar ganglia. The ganglia are integrated by a complex series of commissures and connectives. Eighteen paraldehyde-fuchsin-positive neurosecretory regions, which vary greatly in size and amount of granular neurosecretory material, are each associated (one or more) with neuropilar ganglia. Presumably transport of neurosecretory materials to target tissues occurs through axonal pathways, perineurial-neural lamella associations, and the neurohemal retrocerebral organ complex.