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Spermatophore of the tsetse, Glossina morsitans morsitans Westwood: an ultrastructural study

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  19 September 2011

Elizabeth D. Kokwaro  and
Thomas R. Odhiambo
Elizabeth D. Kokwaro
Affiliation:
The International Centre of Insect Physiology and Ecology, P.O. Box 30772, Nairobi, Kenya
Thomas R. Odhiambo
Affiliation:
The International Centre of Insect Physiology and Ecology, P.O. Box 30772, Nairobi, Kenya
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Abstract

Sperm are transferred from male to female tsetse, as in most insect species, within a spermatophore. The spermatophore of the tsetse species, Glossina morsitans morsitans Westwood (Diptera: Glossinidae), is highly organized, and can be visualized as a sac deposited in the uterus of the female tsetse. The wall of the spermatophore comprises two layers, whose components are strikingly similar to those of the secretions made by the male accessory reproductive glands. Dense aggregates of material, matrix filaments, and clusters of granules predominate in both. An ultrastructural study of these components is reported in this paper.

Keywords

SpermatophoretsetseGlossina morsitans morsitansultrastructural studyaccessory reproductive glandsuterus
Type
Research Article
Information
International Journal of Tropical Insect Science , Volume 1 , Issue 2 , June 1981 , pp. 185 - 190
Copyright
Copyright © ICIPE 1981

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References

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