A newly discovered sperm transport system in the female of Lygaeidae bugs

Abstract

In the female reproductive system of the relatively large hemipteran, the western conifer seed bug Leptoglossus occidentalis (Heidemann), a cuticle-lined tube extends medially along the surface of the vagina from the proximal end of the spermathecal complex anteriorly to the base of the common oviduct. This medial tube houses the proximal end of the spermathecal duct, thereby enabling the transport of material from the spermatheca at the distal end of the spermathecal complex, past the vagina (or bursa copulatrix) and directly to the common oviduct. The proximal portion of the spermathecal complex also contains an insemination duct that is separate from the spermathecal duct. The insemination duct allows the male intromittent organ to extend from the vagina to the spermatheca without navigating through the spermathecal duct. The reproductive systems of two previously studied Hemiptera, the milkweed bug Oncopeltus fasciatus (Dallas) and the box elder bug Leptocoris trivittatus (Say), possess a similar cuticle-lined medial tube housing the spermathecal duct. This new information provides a clearer understanding of sperm transport in the female reproductive system of Lygaeidae bugs, and helps to clarify the path of the male organ during copulation, as well as the movement of sperm during egg laying.

Ultrastructural and functional aspects of the spermatheca in the american harlequin bug, Murgantia histrionica (Hemiptera: Pentatomidae)

“…Our investigations revealed a high degree of complexity in the organization of the spemathecal complex in M. histrionica, in accordance to what has already been described in other true bugs, particularly lygaeids (Gschwentner & Tadler 2000, Chiang 2010). However, we were unable to ind in M. histrionica a structure that can be related to the "medial tube" described by Chiang (2010) in Leptoglossus occidentalis (Heidemann) (Hemiptera: Coreidae).…”

“…The functional signi icance of such complicated structures could be interpreted in terms of cryptic female choice, i.e. occurring after insemination, as already proposed by Chiang (2010).…”

“…However, we were unable to ind in M. histrionica a structure that can be related to the "medial tube" described by Chiang (2010) in Leptoglossus occidentalis (Heidemann) (Hemiptera: Coreidae). In fact, the saccular dilation of the spermatecal duct originates as a double folding of the spermatecal duct itself, and no other cuticular ducts have been observed serving as possible sperm transport systems.…”

Studies on the Epiphallus and spermatheca in some species of the genus Acrotylus (Acridoidea: Orthoptera) of Pakistan

“…Many workers have studied the morphology of spermatheca of orthopteran insects and some have published histology of spermatheca of orthopteroid insects (Ahmed and Gillott, 1981;Dirsh, 1957;Gupta, 1948;Kevan et al, 1969;Kharibam et al, 1982;Pal and Ghosh, 1982;Qadri, 1940;Slifer, 1939Slifer, , 1940aSlifer, , 1940bSlifer, , 1940cSlifer, , 1943aSlifer, , 1943b. Previously some workers also reported that in some orthopteroid insects, spermathecal gland is lacking (Chiang, 2010;Gschwentner and Tadler, 2000). The present paper reports about the studies on the epiphallus and spermatheca in some species of the genus Acrotylus (Acridoidea: Orthoptera) of Pakistan.…”

Functional Anatomy of the External and Internal Reproductive Structures in Insect Vectors of Chagas Disease with Particular Reference to Rhodnius prolixus

“…Rather than resembling those arthropods which make encapsulated spermatophores that harden before they are inserted into the bursa copulatrix of the female [46], the Reduviidae are more closely related to insect species which lack spermatophores and deliver the semen by using a long intromittent organ that the male inserts through an insemination duct to the spermatheca [44]. In R. prolixus, the spermathecae are attached directly to the common oviduct so that no insemination tube is required since this location is very close to where the spermatozoa are delivered.…”