The innervation of the salivary gland of the tick, Boophilus microplus.

Salivary of the ixodid tick Boophilus microplus Canestrini are at least partially innervated by a branch of the pedipalpal nerve. Axons containing both large granular and smaller agranular vesicles were observed within the acini associated with all types of secretory cells. A modification of the Falk-Hillarp histochemical technique was used to demonstrate discrete areas of fluorescence within the salivary acini. It is suggested that the transmitter involved with the control of salivary activities is a catecholamine and may even be dopamine.