Functional anatomy of vagina muscles in the blood-feeding insect, Rhodnius prolixus

Chiang, R. Gary; O’Donnell, MJ

doi:10.1016/j.asd.2009.06.002

Cited by 17 publications

(26 citation statements)

References 23 publications

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“…When pulled in towards the rear of the animal, these genital sclerites cover the sclerites that surround the opening to the genital chamber. The genital chamber in R. prolixus can be referred to as either the bursa copulatrix [20,21] or the vagina [22,23]. In keeping with its functional role, this chapter refers to the genital chamber as the vagina.…”

Section: Overall Design Of the Adult Abdomenmentioning

confidence: 99%

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

Chiang¹,

Chiang²

2017

Biological Control of Pest and Vector Insects

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The insect vector of Chagas disease, Rhodnius prolixus, has become a very popular model organism for exploring, among other things, the physiology of insects. Its ability to remain in a state of stasis until after engorging a blood meal has focussed most studies on those physiological and developmental processes triggered by the blood meal leaving the details of its sexual physiology vague. This chapter summarizes the relationship between the male and female by describing their respective reproductive systems and genitalia, and how they function during and after copulation. A number of novel processes are noted, such as the transfer of male secretions without the formation of a spermatophore, pump/valve mechanism in the male aedeagus, sensory and a chemical means by which copulation may be facilitated, and the possible mechanism by which adhesive protein is applied to an egg during ovipositioning. Combined with knowledge of its genome, further studies into the functional anatomy of reproduction in this insect have the potential to increase our understanding of sexual reproduction in Reduviidae bugs, and to suggest new ways to control their population growth and the spread of Chagas disease.

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Section: Overall Design Of the Adult Abdomenmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…[22]). sclerites of the ventral genital segment, a control that would be exercised during copulation and ovipositioning.…”

Section: Overall Design Of the Adult Abdomenmentioning

confidence: 99%

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

Chiang¹,

Chiang²

2017

Biological Control of Pest and Vector Insects

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“…3 Although this chamber has been referred to as the bursa copulatrix, 3,4 we have adopted the term vagina in describing this posterior chamber, which was already described in Rhodnius. 5,6 The spermathecae are blind-ended tubes coming off of the common oviduct that receive and store the sperm until the eggs are fertilized. The development of a more spacious spermatheca and an expanded vagina can be adapted to receive nutrients secreted and also allow a prolonged stock sperm.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…It is unlikely that these spines serve any physical purpose to either break apart a spermatophore that does not need to be broken or move spermatozoa that are being moved by rhythmic muscular contractions. 5 Because significant differences in the length and width of the spermatophores of T. infestans and R. neglectus were observed, these parameters can be considered to be genus-level markers for Triatominae. They may also be considered to be markers at the species level given that they are different species.…”

mentioning

confidence: 99%

“…In the species studied, the circular and longitudinal muscle fibers that cover the surface of the vagina are responsible for vaginal contraction and help in spermatozoid migration to the spermathecae and in oviposition. 5 The means by which spermatozoids migrate from the spermatophore to the spermatheca diverge between different insects. In Danaus plexippus (Lepidoptera), the copulatory pouch has a region with rows of chitinous spines and another region covered with bristles.…”

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confidence: 99%

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Anatomy of the Spermatophore in Triatomines (Hemiptera, Reduviidae, Triatominae) and Its Applications to the Study of Chagas Disease Vector Biology

Pereira-Lourenço

Santos-Mallet

Freitas³

2013

The American Society of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene

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Abstract. The present study focused on spermatophore structure, transfer, and subsequent destination inside bloodfeeding females of the species Triatoma infestans and Rhodnius neglectus. The morphology of the spermatophore differed between the species studied, such that in T. infestans, the shape was ovaloid, whereas in R. neglectus, the shape resembled a rod. Structures' spine-like cuticulars distributed across the inner surface of the vagina of both species were observed; however, the role of these cuticulars is unknown in Triatominae. In both species, there was an opening in the spermatophore exactly where the common oviduct is connected, thereby making it possible to confirm that the process of spermatozoid migration takes place through this opening. The results obtained show that the spermatophores of T. infestans and R. neglectus differ in size, shape, and structure. Therefore, they can be used as taxonomic markers and may provide information regarding physiology and evolution.

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The Physiology of Sperm Transfer and Egg Production in Vectors of Chagas Disease with Particular Reference to Rhodnius prolixus

Chiang

2021

Triatominae - The Biology of Chagas Disease Vectors

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Functional anatomy of vagina muscles in the blood-feeding insect, Rhodnius prolixus

Cited by 17 publications

References 23 publications

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

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

Anatomy of the Spermatophore in Triatomines (Hemiptera, Reduviidae, Triatominae) and Its Applications to the Study of Chagas Disease Vector Biology

The Physiology of Sperm Transfer and Egg Production in Vectors of Chagas Disease with Particular Reference to Rhodnius prolixus

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