The ultrastructure of cell junctions between epidermal cells of tergites in marsupial manca stages of P. scaber A–D samples of early marsupial mancae A early marsupial manca B semithin section of manca: epidermal cells of the tergite are flattened and covered by a cuticle C a short continuous array of septa is evident beneath the AJ D discontinuous junctions containing short arrays of septa are often evidenced along lateral cell membranes of neighbouring cells E–H samples of mid-stage marsupial mancae E mid-stage marsupial manca F semithin section of manca: The epidermis of the tergite consists of flattened cells, which are covered by a cuticle G the junctional complex consists of a subapically located AJ and basally adjacent to it a long continuous SJ H continuous long array of septa I–L samples of late marsupial mancae I late marsupial manca J semithin section of late manca epidermis: Epidermal cells are not as flat as in all other analysed developmental stages. Detachment of the cuticle and formation of a new cuticle reveal the renewal of the exoskeleton K discontinuous junctions containing short arrays of septa are often evidenced beneath the AJ in late marsupial manca stage L discontinuous long arrays of septa are rarely observed in late-stage marsupial mancae. Abbreviations: AJ: adherens junction; AM: apical membrane; CU: cuticle; E: epidermis; NC: new cuticle; SJ: septate junction. Scale bars: 500 µm (A, E, I); 20 µm (B, F, J); 500 nm, (C, D, G, K, L); 200 nm (H).