Accessory glands of male reproductive system in Pseudochorthippus parallelus parallelus (Zetterstedt, 1821) (Orthoptera: Acrididae): A light and electron microscopic study

Abstract

The accessory glands of male reproductive system in insects play a significant role in the reproduction process by protecting sperm in spermatheca, preventing female to accept other males after mating and stimulating oviposition. The number, structure, and arrangement of the tubules of accessory glands can change from species to species. In this study, the accessory glands belonging the male reproductive system in Pseudochorthippus parallelus parallelus (Zetterstedt, 1821) (Orthoptera, Acrididae) were examined with stereomicroscope, light microscope, scanning (SEM), and transmission (TEM) electron microscopes at Gazi University, Faculty of Science in 2017–2019. P. parallelus parallelus is a widespread species that is located at the extending areas from Italy to the Northern Europe and also in Turkey. The accessory glands of P. parallelus parallelus’ male reproductive system are composed of about 10 tubules. The tubules can be classified into two groups according to the thickness of their muscle tissues. Both groups have single layered epithelial cells with mitochondria, well‐developed endoplasmic reticulum, spherical nucleus with electron dense chromatin, secretory vesicles and multivesicular bodies in their cytoplasm. In addition, apocrine type secretion is seen in epithelial cells.

Gross morphology and ultrastructure of the salivary glands of the stink bug predator Eocanthecona furcellata (Wolff)

“…As the narrow lumen of this gland makes it impossible to store substances, they are released into the principal salivary gland. It has been reported that the accessory salivary gland of P. distinctus was responsible for the water present in saliva (Polat, Mutlu, & Suludere, 2019). However, it has been suggested that the transport of substances from the hemolymph may be influenced by the epithelium of the accessory glands of E. heros (Castellanos et al, 2017).…”

Morphology of the male reproductive tract in the water scavenger beetle Tropisternus collaris Fabricius, 1775 (Coleoptera: Hydrophilidae)

“…In Hydrochara ssp., the bean-shaped gland (ag2) contains individual globules, where secretions are produced and stored (Nasserzadeh et al, 2005). Such secretions are mainly associated with sperm maintenance and activation, induction and acceleration of oviposition in females, spermatophore formation, and mechanisms to ensure fidelity, such as formation of a barrier to prevent further mating (Chen, 1984;Gillott, 2003;King et al, 2011;Polat et al, 2020). Like most insects, T. collaris has a single, median ejaculatory duct covered by a cuticle, evidence of its ectodermal origin (Bushrow et al, 2006;Araújo et al, 2010).…”

Morphology and Histology of Male Reproductive System of Gryllus campestris Linnaeus, 1758 (Orthoptera: Gryllidae)

“…In G. campestris, the accessory glands are on both sides of the ejaculatory duct and they seem to be many of white tubules. In Locusta migratoria migratorioides, the accessory glands are on either sides of the ejaculatory duct (Gallois & Cassier, 1991, Polat et al, 2020. Accessory glands in G. sigillatus, consists of six groups of tubules of various colors and sizes.…”

“…(Nandchahal, 1972). In Locusta migratoria, Gomphocerus rufus, S. gregaria and Camnula pellucida consist of 16 tubules but P. parallelus parallelus consists of 10 tubles (Kaulenas, 2012;Chapman, 2013;Polat et al, 2020). Even so Gryllus sp.…”