Genesis of spermatodesms in Tylopsis liliifolia (Orthoptera: Phaneropterinae) and their transit in the male genital tract.

The spermatodesms of Tylopsis liliifolia form in the most proximal follicular cysts and are composed of a large number of sperm held together by a cap located in the anterior region of the acrosome. The cap is formed by short thin fibrils, loosely arranged at random, probably derived from secretory activity of cells of the cyst wall. Compared to other Tettigoniidae, a peculiar feature is acrosomal wings that twist gradually around the anterior region of the nucleus; at the end of the twisting process, the region of the sperm acrosome, observed in cross section, shows a typical spiral form.

Formation and rearrangement of spermatodesms in males of some Orthoptera Tettigoniidae.

In the male genital tract of Tettigoniidae, the spermatodesms are composed of a limited number of spermatozoa whose nuclei and acrosomes are covered by a mucous cap. The formation of the cap begins in the testicular cyst during the lengthening of the apical prolongations of the spermatids and the spermatids' simultaneous division into small bundles or spermatodesms. The cap material is formed from a loosely arranged material in the lumen of the cyst, probably produced by the secretory activity of the delimiting cells.

Structure of male accessory glands of Bolivarius siculus (fischer) (Orthoptera, Tettigoniidae) and protein analysis of their secretions.

In Tettigoniidae (Orthoptera), male reproductive accessory glands are involved in the construction of a two-part spermatophore; one part, the spermatophylax, is devoid of sperm and considered a nuptial gift. The morphology, ultrastructure, and secretion protein content of the male reproductive accessory glands from Bolivarius siculus were investigated. Two main groups of gland tubules open into the ejaculatory duct: the "first-order" glands, a number of large anterior tubules, and the "second-order" glands, smaller and more numerous tubules positioned posteriorly.

Ultrastructural organization of seminal receptacle and sperm storage in Porcellio laevis latreille (crustacea: Isopoda oniscidea).

The seminal receptacle of Porcellio laevis is a specialized region of the genital tract placed at the confluence of the oviduct with the ovary. In virgin sexually mature females the seminal receptacle wall consists of a monolayered epithelium lying on a thin basal lamina and delimiting a narrow and anfractuous lumen. The cells are joined by cell junctions only in their apical portion and do not show marked secretory activity; numerous cells appear to undergo a partial or complete process of autophagy that preludes a remodelling of the seminal receptacle allowing it to receive and store a conspicuous number of spermatozoa.

Structure of spermatodesms of Orthoptera Tettigonioidea.

Examination of spermatodesms collected from the male and female genital tracts of numerous Orthoptera Tettigonioidea revealed an overall morphological and ultrastructural organization that is generally similar in individuals of the same sex but considerably different between males and females of even the same species. In the male genital tracts each spermatodesm is composed of a limited number of spermatozoa whose nuclei and acrosomes are covered by a mucous cap. The spermatozoa inside each bundle are mainly arranged in parallel rows and are always distinctly separate.