Skip to main content

Thank you for visiting nature.com. You are using a browser version with limited support for CSS. To obtain the best experience, we recommend you use a more up to date browser (or turn off compatibility mode in Internet Explorer). In the meantime, to ensure continued support, we are displaying the site without styles and JavaScript.

  • Letter
  • Published:

The Mechanism of the so-called ‘Posterior Sucker’ of a Simulium Larva

Abstract

THE manner in which a Simulium larva fixes itself to rocks and water weeds in very rapid running water has hitherto been a matter of dispute among naturalists. Some have supposed that the so-called ‘posterior” sucker of a Simulium larva functions in the same way as does the sucker of a leech, and it is only recently that Tonnoir (Ann. Biol. Lacustre, 11, pp. 163–172; 1923), not finding any muscles inserted in the middle of the disc, doubted its utility as a true sucker and ascribed the ftunction of attachment to the hooks alone. Dr. Puri (Parasitology, 17, pp. 295–369; 1925), to whom we are indebted for a monograph, “On the Life-history and Structure of the Early Stages of Simuliidæ” (1925), has demonstrated the presence of fairly strong muscles connected with the centre of the disc, and he has observed “that they contract when the larva fixes itself by its posterior end.” But he further points out that “in spite of the presence of these muscles the larva cannot fix itself effectively without the further help of the sticky salivary secretion; a fact which may mean that the saliva helps to fill up the spaces between the hooks and thus to form a complete rim all round.”

This is a preview of subscription content, access via your institution

Access options

Rent or buy this article

Prices vary by article type

from$1.95

to$39.95

Prices may be subject to local taxes which are calculated during checkout

Similar content being viewed by others

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

Authors

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

HORA, S. The Mechanism of the so-called ‘Posterior Sucker’ of a Simulium Larva. Nature 119, 599–600 (1927). https://doi.org/10.1038/119599b0

Download citation

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/119599b0

Comments

By submitting a comment you agree to abide by our Terms and Community Guidelines. If you find something abusive or that does not comply with our terms or guidelines please flag it as inappropriate.

Search

Quick links

Nature Briefing

Sign up for the Nature Briefing newsletter — what matters in science, free to your inbox daily.

Get the most important science stories of the day, free in your inbox. Sign up for Nature Briefing