Pseudochorthippus parallelus parallelus (Zetterstedt, 1821) (Orthoptera, Acrididae) is a widespread species in Europe, and also it is localized in some regions in Turkey such as Bursa, Eskişehir, Ankara, Bolu, Düzce, and Çankırı. The features of the reproductive organs such as the numbers and shapes of testes and follicles can be used as taxonomical characters. For this purpose, the ultrastructural and histological features of testis and vas deferens in P. parallelus parallelus were examined with using light microscope, scanning electron microscope, and transmission electron microscope. The mature P. parallelus parallelus has two conjugated testes produce spermatozoa. Each testis is composed of numerous testis follicles in which different stages of spermatogenesis and spermiogenesis develop. First, spermatocytes are formed by the mitosis division of the germ cells at the distal end of the follicles. Then, spermatocytes form spermatids by meiosis division in the middle region of the follicles. Finally, spermatids are differentiated to spermatozoa at the proximal region of the follicles. After maturation of the spermatozoa, sperm tails come together as the sperm bundles called as spermatodesm. Each follicle is connected to vas deferens via vas efferens to discharging spermatozoa. In spite of some differences, the testes and the vas deferens in P. parallelus parallelus are highly similar to the those of other species, especially Orthopteran species.

The accessory glands of male reproductive system in insects play a significant role in the reproduction process by protecting sperm in spermatheca, preventing female to accept other males after mating and stimulating oviposition. The number, structure, and arrangement of the tubules of accessory glands can change from species to species. In this study, the accessory glands belonging the male reproductive system in Pseudochorthippus parallelus parallelus (Zetterstedt, 1821) (Orthoptera, Acrididae) were examined with stereomicroscope, light microscope, scanning (SEM), and transmission (TEM) electron microscopes at Gazi University, Faculty of Science in 2017–2019. P. parallelus parallelus is a widespread species that is located at the extending areas from Italy to the Northern Europe and also in Turkey. The accessory glands of P. parallelus parallelus’ male reproductive system are composed of about 10 tubules. The tubules can be classified into two groups according to the thickness of their muscle tissues. Both groups have single layered epithelial cells with mitochondria, well‐developed endoplasmic reticulum, spherical nucleus with electron dense chromatin, secretory vesicles and multivesicular bodies in their cytoplasm. In addition, apocrine type secretion is seen in epithelial cells.

Abstract

The morphology and ultrastructure of the Malpighian tubules of Dolycoris baccarum were analyzed by scanning (SEM) and transmission (TEM) electron microscopy in order to determine their functional organization. The Malpighian tubules are compared with similar structures of other insects based on cell structure and functional organization. The Malpighian tubules of D. baccarum extend from the midgut-hindgut region of the digestive tract. The Malpighian tubules are divided into two regions: the proximal segment is short and flattened and the distal segment is long, stringy in shape and free in hemolymph. The tubules are generally long and narrow. There is a large number of trachea around the tubules. They consist of a single layer of epithelial cells. It is observed in the TEM observation that the epithelial cells have numerous microvilli at the apical side of the cells. At the basal side of the cells, there is a great number of membrane foldings and mitochondria among them. Besides some spherites, mitochondria, lysosome-like bodies, and large or small granules can be distinguished in the cells. With this study, we aimed to demonstrate the ultrastructure of the Malpighian tubules of D. baccarum and differences or similarities with other species.

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