Fluid Reabsorption And Ion Transport By The Lower Malpighian Tubules Of Adult Female Drosophila

The properties of the Malpighian tubules of Drosophila melanogaster change along their length. The upstream main segments secrete K(+)-rich fluid at a high rate. From this, the lower tubules reabsorb significant amounts of water and K+. Under stimulation, K+ reabsorption is accelerated. In addition, the lower tubules acidify the fluid passed to them by the main segments and secrete Ca2+ into it, adding to that transported there by the upstream …