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

Abstract

The spermatheca of Murgantia histrionica (Hahn) was investigated using luorescence, scanning and transmission electron microscopy. The aim of the study was to elucidate the structure of this organ, pointing out differences between mated and unmated females. Results have shown an elaborated cuticular structure associated with muscular and glandular tissues. The spermatheca is joined with the common oviduct by the spermathecal duct, forming a thin saccular dilation through two consecutive invaginations. The distal part of the organ is formed by a series of two communicating cuticular chambers. The irst cylindrical-shaped chamber, corresponding to the coiled region, is wrapped by longitudinal muscular ibers suspended between two cuticular langes. The contractions of these ibers compress a deformable zone of the cylinder, pumping the sperm toward the spermathecal duct. Without contractions the cylinder results to be isolated from the proximal part of the spermatheca by means of a valve. The second chamber, corresponding to the spermatheca, is made of two parts: a truncated-conical sub chamber, with a constant cuticular thickness, bearing on itself the distal lange, where muscular ibers are attached. The second part is a bulb-like structure wrapped in a glandular epithelium. The secretory units are composed by two cells: a secretory cell and an associated duct cell. Every evacuating duct shows a little reservoir just after the terminal apparatus, and converge inside the distal bulb after a tortuous path. The functional implications of this structure in the reproductive biology of M. histrionica are discussed.

Morphological and morphometrical assessment of spermathecae of Aedes aegypti females

“…They also stain strongly with Phalloidin-FITC, suggesting that at this location of the cell the cytoskeleton is involved in a structural role and in assisting in cell transport. Similar results were reported in the spermathecal gland cells of Anastrepha suspensa (Diptera: Tephritidae) (Fritz & Turner 2002) and such subcellular characteristics are compatible with their predicted secretory role (Staccomi & Romani 2010). The PAS-reaction confirmed the presence of neutral polysaccharides in the gland's cell apex, ductules and reservoir lumen, even in virgin Ae.…”

“…Under light microscopy, epithelial and glandular cell types can be distinguished in the spermathecae. As observed in spermathecae from other insects, these cells are quite different from each other in terms of morphology and ultrastructure and such differences may be associated with their different roles (Tombes & Roppel 1972, Lay et al 1999, Staccomi & Romani 2010.…”

Gross morphology and ultrastructure of the female reproductive system of Diaphorina citri (Hemiptera: Liviidae)

“…The mature ovaries of this species, in which the ovarioles lack a functional terminal filament, are similar to those of some Aphidomorpha and Aleyrodomorpha (BÜNING 1985, SZKLARZEWICZ & MOSKAL 2001. However, the types and localization of the accessory structures are variable from previously studied species (LOCOCO & HUBNER 1980, STACCONI & ROMANI 2011, STURM 2012, MA et al 2013. The occurrence and location of accessory structures may differ among species as they are highly specialized secretory organs involved in the synthesis of molecules related to several aspects of reproduction (sperm storage and nourishment, egg laying, among others).…”

Morphology of the spermatheca of Triatoma lecticularia (Hemiptera: Reduviidae) (Stal, 1859)

“…(Kocorek and Danielczok-Demska, 2002;Stacconi and Romani, 2011;Candan et al, 2014;Souza et al, 2016), with only one spermatheca. In these species, the reservoir shows three types of cells: i) class III secretory cells, characterized by the presence of intracellular canaliculi, ii) cells that form ducts for the transportation of secretions to the lumen of the spermatheca and iii) epithelial cells associated with the cuticle (Noirot and Quennedey, 1991;Stacconi and Romani, 2011;Souza et al, 2016;Pascini and Martins 2017).…”