Anatomy and histology of the metapleural gland in the giant tropical ant Paraponera clavata (Fabricius, 1775) (Formicidae: Paraponerinae).

Ants are social insects with about 85 exocrine glands with different morphologies. The metapleural gland is exclusive to ants and its compounds have antimicrobial action, indicating a function in the defense against pathogens. Within ants, Paraponera clavata is the only living species representative of Paraponerinae.

Rapid and efficient mating in mayflies (Ephemeroptera): morphological and reproductive strategies in primitive winged insects.

Mayflies (order Ephemeroptera) are primitive winged insects with a life cycle of aquatic nymphal development until emergence as adults that briefly fly seeking mates. Mayflies have reproductive morphology and strategies promoting efficient copulation and oviposition during the ephemeral terrestrial phase. The anatomy of the reproductive tract in males and females of Thraulodes latinus (Leptophlebiidae) is described in relation to the reproductive behavior of Ephemeroptera.

Tricorythopsis nupem: a new species for the Atlantic forest from southeast Brazil (Ephemeroptera: Leptohyphidae).

Tricorythopsis Traver, 1958 is a neotropical genus of the Leptohyphidae (Ephemeroptera, Ephemerelloidea), with 19 species described (Molineri 2001; Dias Salles 2005; Dias et al. 2008, 2009; Lima et al. 2011; Belmont et al.

Sperm storage in Hemidactylus mabouia: Morphological and ultrastructural aspects of a reproductive strategy.

Sperm storage is a common phenomenon in most female reptiles. Evidence of sperm storage is based on the observation that female fertilization occurs even when females are separated from males, as well as the presence of agglomerates of spermatozoa in specific regions of the oviducts. Lizards are capable of storing sperm in the uterine tube, vagina, or in both regions.

Morphological aspects of testes and sperm ultrastructure in the "symphyta" Digelasinus diversipes kirby 1882 (hymenoptera: Argidae: Dielocerinae).

In Digelasinus diversipes, spermatozoa are maintained in bundles, with 74 spermatozoa on average, in the seminal vesicle. These spermatozoa are very short (20 μm) and consist of a head and flagellum. The head includes an acrosome (perforatorium covered by the acrosomal vesicle) and a nucleus.

Ultrastructure of spermatozoa in two solitary bee species with an emphasis on synapomorphic traits shared in the family apidae.

Morphology of spermatozoa in bees has provided promising results for phylogenetic analyses. In this work, the structure and ultrastructure of spermatozoa from Thygater (Thygater) analis and Melitoma segmentaria were characterized and the synapomorphies shared in the family Apidae are discussed. In these species, spermatozoa bundles which are undone in the seminal vesicle possess, on average, 50 cells.

Oviductal structure and ultrastructure of the oviparous gecko, Hemidactylus mabouia (Moreau De Jonnès, 1818).

Lizards of the family Gekkonidae display a variety of reproductive patterns, as evidenced by the presence of viviparous and oviparous species. The species Hemidactylus mabouia is oviparous. We examined, in vitellogenic females, oviductal structure by light microscopy after routine histological and histochemical techniques, as well as by scanning and transmission electron microscopy.

Ultrastructure and heteromorphism of spermatozoa in five species of bugs (Pentatomidae: Heteroptera).

Pentatomidae is one of the largest Heteroptera families, comprising about 10% of the species estimated for the suborder. In spite of existing studies, doubts remain regarding the systematics of Pentatomomorpha. In this study, five species of Pentatomidae spermatozoa were examined to achieve characteristics that enable inferences in the phylogeny of the group and in behavioral issues associated with the presence of polymorphisms.

Phagocytosis of spermatozoa by epithelial cells in the vagina of the lizard Hemidactylus mabouia (Reptilia, Squamata).

Hemidactylus mabouia is an Africa oviparous lizard that is now distributed on other continents and has been introduced to Brazil. In the majority of reptiles, the females have the ability to store spermatozoa in specialized regions of the genital tract. Considering that in H.

Morphology of male reproductive system of two solitary bee species (Hymenoptera: Apidae).

Bees can form all levels of social organization, from solitary to advanced eusocial societies. Although 80% of the species exist as solitary species, most researches emphasize social species. This study focuses on the description of the male reproductive system of the solitary beesThygater analis (Lepeletier) and Melitoma segmentaria (Fabricius) and searches for traits that support behavioral and phylogenetic studies.

Morphology of the male reproductive system of the social wasp, Polistes versicolor versicolor, with phylogenetic implications.

Variation in the morphology of the adult male reproductive system among different groups of Hymenoptera offer characteristics that help studies of behavior and the evolutionary history of this group. The objective of this study was to describe the adult male reproductive system of the wasp Polistes versicolor versicolor Olivier (Vespidae: Polistini). The reproductive systems were dissected, fixed and embedded for light microscopy.

Ultrastructural characterization of the spermatozoa of Aethalion reticulatum Linnaeus 1767 (Hemiptera: Auchenorrhyncha: Aethalionidae).

The Hemiptera order is currently divided into four suborders. Among them the Auchenorrhyncha suborder is considered to be paraphyletic. Morphology of insect spermatozoa has provided promising characteristics that can be used for phylogenetic inference.

Structural and ultrastructural characteristics of male reproductive tract and spermatozoa in two Cryptinae species (Hymenoptera: Ichneumonidae).

This study represents the first characterization of male reproductive tracts and ultrastructural description of sperm of Cryptinae species. In Lymeon dieloceri and Pachysomoides sp., the male reproductive tract is formed by a pair of testis, two deferent ducts, two accessory glands and one ejaculatory duct.

Structure and ultrastructure of the spermatozoa of Trypoxylon (Trypargilum) albitarse Fabricius 1804 (Hymenoptera: Apoidea: Crabronidae).

The ultrastructure of the spermatozoa of Trypoxylon (Trypargilum) albitarse is described here for the first time within this genus. Testes and seminal vesicles were dissected and processed for transmission electron microscopy. In the testicular follicles, the spermatids are arranged in a maximum number of 32 for each cyst.

Morphology of male reproductive system in three species of Trypoxylon (Trypargilum) Richards (Hymenoptera: Crabronidae).

Variations in the adult male reproductive system among different groups of Hymenoptera offer characteristics that help studies on behavior and phylogenetics. The objective of this study was to describe the adult male reproductive system of three Trypoxylon (Trypargilum) species. For that, tissues were disseced, fixed in 2.

Diversity of bees and their floral resources at altitudinal areas in the Southern Espinhaço Range, Minas Gerais, Brazil.

The Southern Espinhaço Range consists of large areas covered by quartzitic or metaliferous tropical altitudinal fields. The Espinhaço Range ecosystems are endangered by anthropic high impacts, particularly due to mining and urbanization. We conducted a one-year inventory of the bee flora and fauna at the quartzitic Ouro Branco Mountains and a two-year survey of the metaliferous Ouro Preto fields.