Cell types Cell Shape Arrangement and location Cytoplasmic characteristics Staining affinity of NSCs CAHP AF A1 Ovoid with more than one axon. Generally one axon directed towards the perineurium. One or two layered just beneath the perineurium,dorsal andpostero-lateral in position. Colloidal with ill defined nucleus. No cytoplasmic vacuole, no secretory cycle. Very strong affinity, dark blue. Very strong affinity, dark purple.   A2 Typical pear shaped unipolar or bipolar. Axon generally terminates towards neuropile.Larger than A1. Multilayered (3-6) below A1 cells. Outnumber all types of NSCs. Colloidal with well defined nucleus and occasional cytoplasmic vacuoles. Distinct secretory cycle. Strong affinity, dark blue. Strong affinity, dark purple.   A3 Fusiform shape, strictly monopolar with termination towards neuropile; larger than A1 and A2. Few in number, located at the dorso-median line of the cerebral ganglion. Granular or coarse cytoplasm with cytoplasmic vacuoles Moderate affinity,light blue Moderate affinity, light purple B Variable in shape. Apolar, unipolar or bipolar. Axons may penetrate deep inside the neuropile. Dorso-lateral, as well as, ventral in location. Number less than A type cells. Inter-mingled with A2 NSCs and close to the neuropile. Fine granular cytoplasm with abundance of cytoplasmic vacuoles. Distinct secretory cycle. Light to moderate affinity, light blue. Light to moderate affinity, light purple.

Table 1: Characteristic features of NSC types in the cerebral ganglion of M. houlleti.