Male reproductive tract and spermatozoa ultrastructure in the grasshopper Orphulella punctata (De Geer, 1773) (Insecta, Orthoptera, Caelifera)

Abstract

Identification Orphulellini grasshoppers (Acrididae: Gomphocerinae) species has been difficult due to high polymorphism rate. Orphulella Giglio-Tos, 1894 is a genus with widespread geographical distribution and poor descriptions. Orphulella punctata (De Geer, 1773) has an extensive record of occurrence and available information about the phallic complex, however, there is poor data describing other parts of the male reproductive tract. The objective of this study was characterizes the internal organs of the male reproductive system and spermatozoa of O. punctata. Orphulella punctata testes are of Fountain type, each having only four follicles. Spermatozoa into the seminal vesicle are arranged in bundles with c.a. 2320 µm length, with a nucleus 110 µm long. The spermatozoa are covered by a glycocalyx, the nucleus is cylindrical with condensed chromatin and connected to the flagellum by a dense and lamellar centriole adjunct. The axoneme have 9 + 9 + 2 pattern and present two symmetrical mitochondrial derivatives. A fibrous net and two flat membranous cisternae fill the space between the axoneme and mitochondrial derivatives. This is the first description of the reproductive system of a Gomphocerinae representative.

Histology and ultrastructure of the testis and vas deferens in Pseudochorthippus parallelus parallelus (Orthoptera, Acrididae)

“…Moreover, the testis follicles are long fusiform shaped in some Acrididae (Orthoptera) species such as G. sigillatus , Xenacanthippus hainanensis Tinkham, 1940, Phlaeoba antennata Brunner von Wattenwyl, 1893, Acrida cinerea (Thunberg, 1815), Acrida lineata (Thunberg, 1815). In a similar manner, the testes of P. parallelus parallelus have spindle shaped follicles (Liu et al, ; Nandchahal, ; Polat, ; Silva et al, ).…”

“…The testis of Martarega bentoi (Heteroptera, Notonectidae) has two follicles while each testis has three large follicles in E. betulae , M. walshii , T. eggleri , D. platanoidis , and M. tanacetaria . Besides, Furcatopanorpa longihypovalva (Hua and Cai, 2009) (Mecoptera, Panorpidae) also has two testes with three follicles (Jones et al, ; Liu et al, ; Mari et al, ; Nandchahal, ; Novais, Dias, & Lino‐Neto, ; Polat, ; Silva et al, ; Vitale et al, ; Zhang, Lyu, & Hua, ).…”

“…The spermatocytes have large nuclei with electron dense chromatin at the distal zone in P. parallelus parallelus , while the chromatin looks decondensed in O. punctata (Silva et al, ).…”

Morphology and Histology of Male Reproductive System of Gryllus campestris Linnaeus, 1758 (Orthoptera: Gryllidae)

“…The male reproductive system of Orphulella punctata (Orthoptera: Acrididae) consists of two testes and testicles surrounded by an orange-colored sheath; howewer in Poecilimon cervus (Tettigoniidae) testes are yellow. (Silva et al, 2018;Polat, 2016). The male genital system of Tetrix arenosa angusta (Hancock) (Orthoptera: Tetrigidae) is consist of the testes, vasa efferentia, vasa deferentia, accessory glands, ejaculatory duct and intromittent organ and a pair of testes of a mature grouse locust.…”

“…In Orphulella punctata (Orthoptera: Acrididae) each testis consists of 4 follicles and their structure is filiform. (Silva et al, 2018). The number of testicular follicles varies by species.…”