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Ayala Costa D, Rezende PH, Salles FF, Desidério GR, Dias G, Lino-Neto J. Morphology of the male reproductive system and spermatozoa of Smicridea (Rhyacophylax) iguazu Flint, 1983 (Trichoptera, Hydropsychidae). ARTHROPOD STRUCTURE & DEVELOPMENT 2024; 79:101344. [PMID: 38412706 DOI: 10.1016/j.asd.2024.101344] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/13/2023] [Revised: 02/15/2024] [Accepted: 02/15/2024] [Indexed: 02/29/2024]
Abstract
The Trichoptera, holometabolous aquatic insects found worldwide except in Antarctica, exhibit a unique feature in their sperm, which are solely nucleated (eupyrene). Current knowledge on Trichoptera sperm is limited to Old World species. To enhance our understanding of their reproductive biology and contribute to systematic discussions, we describe the male reproductive system and spermatozoa of Smicridea (Rhyacophylax) iguazu Flint, 1983 (Hydropsychidae). This species lacks seminal vesicles, possesses piriform to oval-shaped testes with spermatozoa grouped in apical bundles and dense filamentous material filling other areas. The vasa deferentia are long and a pair of elongated accessory glands displays distinct proximal and distal regions. The relatively short (∼40 μm) spermatozoa are nucleated, aflagellated, and immobile. Further research could explore variations and assess the taxonomic utility of these features for genus identification within Hydropsychidae.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dayvson Ayala Costa
- Departamento de Entomologia, Laboratório de Ultraestrutura Celular, Universidade Federal de Viçosa, 36570-900, Viçosa, Minas Gerais, Brazil.
| | - Paulo Henrique Rezende
- Departamento de Entomologia, Laboratório de Ultraestrutura Celular, Universidade Federal de Viçosa, 36570-900, Viçosa, Minas Gerais, Brazil.
| | - Frederico Falcão Salles
- Departamento de Entomologia, Museu de Entomologia, Universidade Federal de Viçosa, 36570-900, Viçosa, Minas Gerais, Brazil.
| | - Gleison Robson Desidério
- Programa de Apoio à Fixação de Jovens Doutores No Brasil, Laboratório de Citotaxonomia e Insetos Aquáticos, Instituto Nacional de Pesquisas da Amazônia, 69067-375, Manaus, Amazonas, Brazil.
| | - Glenda Dias
- Departamento de Biologia Geral, Laboratório de Ultraestrutura Celular, Universidade Federal de Viçosa, 36570-900, Viçosa, Minas Gerais, Brazil.
| | - José Lino-Neto
- Departamento de Biologia Geral, Laboratório de Ultraestrutura Celular, Universidade Federal de Viçosa, 36570-900, Viçosa, Minas Gerais, Brazil.
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Salazar K, Novais A, Lino-Neto J, Serrão JE. Morphology of the Female and Male Reproductive Tracts and More Data on the Spermatostyle in the Brazilian Gyretes sp. (Coleoptera, Adephaga, Gyrinidae). MICROSCOPY AND MICROANALYSIS : THE OFFICIAL JOURNAL OF MICROSCOPY SOCIETY OF AMERICA, MICROBEAM ANALYSIS SOCIETY, MICROSCOPICAL SOCIETY OF CANADA 2023; 29:2184-2203. [PMID: 37992276 DOI: 10.1093/micmic/ozad124] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/23/2023] [Revised: 07/07/2023] [Accepted: 10/12/2023] [Indexed: 11/24/2023]
Abstract
We investigated the male and female reproductive tracts of Gyretes sp. with light and transmission electron microscopies. The male has a pair of testes with a single coiled follicle, followed by short efferent ducts, which have a similar shape and diameter to the testes. Long ducts (epididymides) with differential epithelium open in a pair of long vasa deferentia that lead to the accessory glands. Glycoprotein secretions from the vas deferens epithelium constitute the spermatostyle for spermatozoa aggregation. The female has numerous ovarioles per ovary, a coiled fertilization duct, an accessory gland, and an elongated vagina. Spermatozoa are stored as unaggregated cells in the fertilization duct. In Gyrinidae, the testes and accessory glands show diverse shapes, and the female sperm storage organs vary in shape, size, and type and may play a role in the interaction with sperm aggregates. Testes with a single follicle and vasa deferentia opening in the accessory glands of Gyretes sp. are features shared with other Gyrinidae and other Adephaga. We proposed adding this latter trait to characterize this suborder of beetles. The morphology of the reproductive organs in both sexes contributes to comparative analyses and knowledge of the reproductive biology of Gyretes and may provide additional features for systematics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Karen Salazar
- Departamento de Entomologia, Universidade Federal de Viçosa, Viçosa, 36570-900 Minas Gerais, Brazil
- Institut de Systématique, Evolution, Biodiversité (ISYEB), Muséum national d'Histoire naturelle, CNRS, Sorbonne Université, EPHE, Université des Antilles, Paris cedex 05 75231, France
| | - Ademária Novais
- Departamento de Biologia Geral, Universidade Federal de Viçosa, Viçosa, 36570-900 Minas Gerais, Brazil
- Instituto Federal de Educação, Ciência e Tecnologia do Mato Grosso, Campus Juína, Juína, 78320-000 Mato Grosso, Brazil
| | - José Lino-Neto
- Departamento de Biologia Geral, Universidade Federal de Viçosa, Viçosa, 36570-900 Minas Gerais, Brazil
| | - José Eduardo Serrão
- Departamento de Biologia Geral, Universidade Federal de Viçosa, Viçosa, 36570-900 Minas Gerais, Brazil
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Male Accessory Glands of Blister Beetles and Cantharidin Release: A Comparative Ultrastructural Analysis. INSECTS 2022; 13:insects13020132. [PMID: 35206706 PMCID: PMC8875262 DOI: 10.3390/insects13020132] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/01/2022] [Revised: 01/21/2022] [Accepted: 01/24/2022] [Indexed: 02/04/2023]
Abstract
Simple Summary Meloidae, also called blister beetles, are known to actively produce cantharidin, a toxic terpene with a defensive function that is released externally by reflex bleeding, and that is also stored in large quantities in the male accessory glands. These glands are involved in the transfer of terpene from males to females, which receive cantharidin via spermatophores as a nuptial gift to be used for their own protection and that of the eggs. However, it is still debated whether the male accessory glands can actively produce the terpene or if they only mediate its transfer, since neither the cantharidin-producing organ nor the metabolic pathway are known to date. The focus of the work is to analyze comparatively the accessory glands of males in representative Meloidae species to provide morphological evidences that can contribute to this debate. The results highlight the complexity of the accessory gland system, consisting of three different types of glands that are highly variable between species with the exception of one, which remains conserved even in independent phyletic lines. This gland is a good candidate for hypothesizing a direct role in cantharidin production and/or concentration. Abstract Members of the family Meloidae are known to produce cantharidin, a highly toxic monoterpene found in their hemolymph and exuded as droplets capable of deterring many predators. As a nuptial gift, males transfer large amounts of cantharidin to females via a spermatophore, which is formed by specific accessory glands containing high concentrations of this terpene. Using light, electron and ion beam microscopy, the ultrastructural features of the three pairs of male accessory glands as well as the glandular part of the vasa deferentia were comparatively investigated in seven species of blister beetles belonging to five different tribes and two subfamilies. All gland pairs examined share common features such as mesodermal derivation, the presence of muscle sheath, a developed rough endoplasmic reticulum, abundant mitochondria, secretory vesicles, and microvillated apical membranes. Within the same species, glands exhibit distinctive features, suggesting that each pair is responsible for the formation of a specific substance. The vasa deferentia, while showing many similarities within the family, often exhibit features unique to each of the individual species investigated, whereas the accessory glands of the first and second pairs display the highest degree of ultrastructural variability. A comparison across the species shows an interesting constancy limited to ultrastructural features in the third pair of accessory glands. The similarities and differences among the species are discussed in the light of the available literature and in relation to the potential role that blister beetles’ male accessory glands could play in the storage and management of cantharidin.
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Reis AB, Salazar K, Folly C, Cossolin JFS, Zanuncio JC, Serrão JE. Morphology of the male reproductive tract and spermatozoa of Lasioderma serricorne (Coleoptera: Ptinidae). ZOOL ANZ 2021. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jcz.2021.06.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
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Munhoz ILA, Serrão JE, Melo ALD, Martins LCB, Araújo VA. Anatomy and histology of the male reproductive tract in creeping water bugs (Heteroptera: Naucoridae). ACTA ZOOL-STOCKHOLM 2021. [DOI: 10.1111/azo.12384] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Alan Lane de Melo
- Pós‐graduação em Zoologia Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais Belo Horizonte Brasil
| | - Luiza Carla Barbosa Martins
- Pós‐graduação em Biodiversidade Ambiente e Saúde Centro de Estudos Superiores de Caxias Universidade Estadual do Maranhão Caxias Brasil
| | - Vinícius Albano Araújo
- Instituto de Biodiversidade e Sustentabilidade Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro Macaé Brasil
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Donato S, Vommaro ML, Tromba G, Giglio A. Synchrotron X-ray phase contrast micro tomography to explore the morphology of abdominal organs in Pterostichus melas italicus Dejean, 1828 (Coleoptera, Carabidae). ARTHROPOD STRUCTURE & DEVELOPMENT 2021; 62:101044. [PMID: 33743431 DOI: 10.1016/j.asd.2021.101044] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/23/2020] [Revised: 02/16/2021] [Accepted: 02/16/2021] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
Micro-computer tomography imaging is a fast and non-destructive data acquisition technique which can replace or complement the traditional investigation methodologies used in entomology to study morphology. In this paper, Synchrotron Radiation X-ray Phase-Contrast micro tomography (SR-PhC micro-CT) was combined with histology and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) observations to describe the abdominal organs of Pterostichus melas italicus Dejean, 1828 (Coleoptera, Carabidae). This species was used as a representative model because of its ecological role as a generalist predator in agroecosystems. SR-PhC micro-CT allowed us to identify in situ abdominal structures including dorsal vessel, digestive tract with Malpighian tubules, male reproductive system, ganglia, fat bodies, pygidial glands, muscles and tracheae. The histology was performed to define the tissue organization of the digestive and reproductive systems. SR-PhC micro-CT and 3D rendering provided more accurate information on shape and size of organs than histological and SEM analyses, respectively. The finding of this study was to describe the anatomy and histology of organs involved in crucial life history traits, such as reproduction, nutrition and excretion. High quality images and the supplementary video represent a significant advance in knowledge of the carabid anatomy and are a baseline for future research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sandro Donato
- Department of Physics, University of Calabria, Via Bucci, 87036 Arcavacata di Rende, Cosenza, Italy; Istituto Nazionale di Fisica Nucleare, Division of Frascati, Via Fermi, 54, 00044 Frascati, Rome, Italy; Elettra-Sincrotrone Trieste S.C.p.A., Strada Statale 14 - km 163,5 in AREA Science Park, 34149 Basovizza, Trieste, Italy
| | - Maria Luigia Vommaro
- Department of Biology, Ecology and Earth Science, University of Calabria, Via Bucci, 87036 Arcavacata di Rende, Cosenza, Italy.
| | - Giuliana Tromba
- Elettra-Sincrotrone Trieste S.C.p.A., Strada Statale 14 - km 163,5 in AREA Science Park, 34149 Basovizza, Trieste, Italy
| | - Anita Giglio
- Department of Biology, Ecology and Earth Science, University of Calabria, Via Bucci, 87036 Arcavacata di Rende, Cosenza, Italy
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Muzzi M, Di Giulio A, Mancini E, Fratini E, Cervelli M, Gasperi T, Mariottini P, Persichini T, Bologna MA. The male reproductive accessory glands of the blister beetle Meloe proscarabaeus Linnaeus, 1758 (Coleoptera: Meloidae): Anatomy and ultrastructure of the cantharidin-storing organs. ARTHROPOD STRUCTURE & DEVELOPMENT 2020; 59:100980. [PMID: 32829176 DOI: 10.1016/j.asd.2020.100980] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/17/2020] [Revised: 07/24/2020] [Accepted: 07/27/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
Blister beetles owe their name to their ability to release cantharidin, a blistering terpene, the highest concentration of which is retained in male accessory glands. The anatomy and ultrastructure of the three pairs of male reproductive accessory glands and the glandular region of the two vasa deferentia of Meloe proscarabaeus were investigated using light, electron and ion beam microscopy. All of the mesodermal glands here analysed share a common structural organization with an outer muscular layer and an inner glandular epithelium facing a broad lumen in which the secretory products are released. Developed rough endoplasmic reticulum, Golgi systems, abundant mitochondria, numerous secretory vesicles and a microvillated apical membrane are commonly found in the cells of different glandular epithelia, suggesting that all accessory gland pairs as well as the vasa deferentia are involved in an active synthesis. Nevertheless, each pair of glands appears specialized in the production of a specific set of substances, as suggested by the peculiarities in cellular ultrastructure and by the different aspect of the secretions stored in their glandular lumen. The above cited features of male accessory glands of M. proscarabaeus are compared with those of other beetles and some hints on their potential role in producing and/or concentrating cantharidin are provided.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maurizio Muzzi
- Department of Science, University Roma Tre, Rome, Italy; Laboratorio Interdipartimentale di Microscopia Elettronica (LIME), University Roma Tre, Rome, Italy
| | - Andrea Di Giulio
- Department of Science, University Roma Tre, Rome, Italy; Laboratorio Interdipartimentale di Microscopia Elettronica (LIME), University Roma Tre, Rome, Italy.
| | - Emiliano Mancini
- Department of Biology and Biotechnology "C. Darwin", "Sapienza" University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | | | | | - Tecla Gasperi
- Department of Science, University Roma Tre, Rome, Italy
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Lyu QH, Hua BZ. Ultrastructure of the vasa deferentia of Terrobittacus implicatus and Cerapanorpa nanwutaina (Insecta: Mecoptera). PROTOPLASMA 2019; 256:883-891. [PMID: 30656456 DOI: 10.1007/s00709-019-01346-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/09/2018] [Accepted: 01/04/2019] [Indexed: 06/09/2023]
Abstract
The fine structures of vasa deferentia and postvesicular vasa deferentia were investigated in the hangingfly Terrobittacus implicatus (Cai et al. 2006) and the scorpionfly Cerapanorpa nanwutaina (Chou 1981) using light and transmission electron microscopy, and schematic diagrams were drawn accordingly. The vasa deferentia of both species comprise muscular layers, a basal lamina, and a mono-layered epithelium, but the postvesicular vasa deferentia contain muscular layers, a basal lamina, a single-layered epithelium, a subcuticular cavity, and an inner cuticle respectively. The vas deferens releases secretions into the lumen directly, probably by means of merocrine production. On the contrary, the cells of the postvesicular vas deferens correspond to class I glandular cells, discharging secretions into the subcuticular cavity first, and then into the lumen through an inner cuticle. The epithelium in both structures of Bittacidae is well developed and contains more microvilli, organelles, and more types of secretions than in Panorpidae. In Panorpidae, the spine of the postvesicular vas deferens may serve as a barricade for the reflow of the sperm and to protect the extraordinarily long structure from being collapsed or injured.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qi-Hui Lyu
- Key Laboratory of Plant Protection Resources and Pest Management, Ministry of Education, College of Plant Protection, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, 712100, Shaanxi, China
- College of Forestry, Henan University of Science and Technology, Luoyang, 471023, Henan, China
| | - Bao-Zhen Hua
- Key Laboratory of Plant Protection Resources and Pest Management, Ministry of Education, College of Plant Protection, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, 712100, Shaanxi, China.
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Schubert LF, Krüger S, Moritz GB, Schubert V. Male reproductive system and spermatogenesis of Limodromus assimilis (Paykull 1790). PLoS One 2017; 12:e0180492. [PMID: 28723911 PMCID: PMC5516968 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0180492] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/16/2015] [Accepted: 06/02/2017] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Based on advanced light and electron microscopy, we describe the male reproductive system and sperm development of Limodromus assimilis. The genital tract consists of pairs of uni-follicular testes, spermatic ducts with diverticula regions, seminal vesicles, accessory glands, an unpaired ejaculatory duct and an aedeagus containing an internal sac equipped with sclerotic scales. Based on their morphology, we draw conclusions about their functions. After spermatogenesis within the follicle, the spermatozoa become released from the sperm cysts. The single spermatozoa move into the diverticula of the vasa deferentia I. Here, they become attached to central rods (spermatostyles), forming secondary conjugates (spermiozeugmata). The coordinated flagella movement of the conjugates possibly improves sperm velocity. Using super-resolution microscopy, we identified highly condensed reticulate chromatin in the lancet-shaped spermatozoa heads and the mitochondrial derivates of the flagella, likely formed by genomic and mitochondrial DNA, respectively. The results show, for the first time, sperm bundle formation in a Platynini species mainly corresponding to that found in Pterostichini species.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Veit Schubert
- Leibniz Institute of Plant Genetics and Crop Plant Research (IPK) Gatersleben, Seeland, Germany
- * E-mail:
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Lyu QH, Hua BZ. Ultrastructure of male accessory glands in the scorpionfly Sinopanorpa tincta (Navás, 1931) (Mecoptera: Panorpidae). ARTHROPOD STRUCTURE & DEVELOPMENT 2017; 46:627-634. [PMID: 28435074 DOI: 10.1016/j.asd.2017.04.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/02/2017] [Revised: 04/13/2017] [Accepted: 04/18/2017] [Indexed: 06/07/2023]
Abstract
The ultrastructure of male reproductive accessory glands was investigated in the scorpionfly Sinopanorpa tincta (Navás, 1931) (Mecoptera: Panorpidae) using light and transmission electron microscopy. The male accessory glands comprise one pair of mesodermal glands (mesadenia) and six pairs of ectodermal glands (ectadenia). The former opens into the vasa deferentia and the latter into the ejaculatory sac. The mesadenia consist of a mono-layered elongated columnar epithelium, the cells of which are highly microvillated and extrude secretory granules by means of merocrine mechanisms. The epithelium of ectadenia consists of two types of cells: the large secretory cells and the thin duct-forming cells. These two types of cells that join with a cuticular duct constitute a functional glandular unit, corresponding to the class III glandular cell type of Noirot and Quennedey. The cuticular duct consists of a receiving canal and a conducting canal. The secretory granules were taken up by the receiving canal and then plunged into the lumen through the conducting canal.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qi-Hui Lyu
- State Key Laboratory of Crop Stress Biology for Arid Areas, Key Laboratory of Plant Protection Resources and Pest Management of the Education Ministry, Entomological Museum, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, Shaanxi 712100, China
| | - Bao-Zhen Hua
- State Key Laboratory of Crop Stress Biology for Arid Areas, Key Laboratory of Plant Protection Resources and Pest Management of the Education Ministry, Entomological Museum, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, Shaanxi 712100, China.
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