Esterase and Phosphatase Activity in the Opisthosomal Region of Spiders

Abstract

WE have been able to demonstrate the presence of widespread intracellular and intercellular esteratic activity in the Opisthosomal region of the dictynid species Ciniflo fenestralis (Stroem.) and the argiopid species Zygiella atrica (C. L. Koch). We used sections 5µ–14µ thick embedded in wax or frozen, and applied the 5-bromo-indoxyl acetate method^1–3. The sections were fixed in acetone and incubated for 30–60 min in a medium containing 1.3 mg 5-bromo-indoxyl acetate dissolved in 0.1 ml. of ethanol. The alcoholic solution of 5-bromo-indoxyl acetate was used in a fresh solution containing 2.0 ml. of 0.1 molar 2-amino-2-hydroxymethyl-1,3-propanediol/hydrochloric acid buffer, 1.0 ml. of 0.05 molar potassium ferricyanide, 1.0 ml. of 0.05 molar potassium ferrocyanide, 1.0 ml. of 0.1 molar calcium chloride, and 5.0 ml. of water.