Anatomical and Histological Structures of Male Reproductive System in Long-Horned Beetle Isotomus speciosus (Schneider, 1787) (Coleoptera: Cerambycidae): Light and Scanning Electron Microscopic Study.

Isotomus speciosus is a polyphagous insect that damages coniferous and deciduous trees. There is no study on the male reproductive system of I. speciosus although it is an important pest. For this purpose, the male reproductive system anatomy and histology of I. speciosus were investigated using light and scanning electron microscopy. According to the results obtained, the male reproductive system of I. speciosus consists of a pair of testes (each with a pair of separate testis lobes), two pairs of vasa efferentia, a pair of vasa deferentia, an ejaculatory duct, an aedeagus, and three pairs of accessory glands. Each testis lobe has about 65 testis follicles. Testis lobe has sperm development stages (growth, maturation, and differentiation). Each testis lobe is connected to the vas deferens via the vas efferens. There are masses of mature sperm that completely fill lumen of the vas deferens. The vas efferens has cylindrical epithelium, and the vas deferens has cubic epithelium. The vas deferens then opens into the aedeagus by an ejaculatory duct. The ejaculatory duct has an intima layer with spines, monolayer of epithelium, and muscle layer. In this study, similarities and differences in anatomy and histology of male reproductive organs of I. speciosus with other coleopteran species were revealed.

Ultrastructural Characterization of Salivary Glands, Alimentary Canal and Malpighian Tubules of the Red Shield Bug Carpocoris mediterraneus Tamanini, 1958 (Heteroptera, Pentatomidae).

In this study, the gut structure and excretory system of Carpocoris mediterraneus which is phytophagous insect, were described with light and electron microscopies and discussed in relation to other Heteroptera species. The salivary system has two principal and accessory salivary glands, two principal and accessory gland ducts. The salivary gland and duct wall have a single layer of cuboidal cells. The duct lumen is surrounded by a thick intima layer. In the cytoplasm of the epithelial cells are seen vesicles. The gut includes fore, mid, and hindguts. The foregut consists of a long narrow tubular pharynx which opens into a slightly wider esophagus. The esophagus is thin walled and in turn opens into the midgut. The midgut has four regions (V1­V4). V1­V4 walls have a monolayered epithelium. V1 epithelium is double-nucleated. V1 cytoplasm contains numerous vesicles, secretory granules, spherocrystals, and cytoplasmic inclusions. Rod-shaped bacteria are seen in V4 lumen. The hindgut has pylorus and rectum. Malpighian tubules were attached in the pylorus. Malpighian tubules have a single-layer cuboidal epithelium. In their lumen, there are spherocrystals. The rectum wall has a monolayer of squamous epithelium and muscle layer. Numerous bacteria and uric acid crystals are seen in its lumen.

Histomorphology of the Adult Digestive Tract of Capnodis tenebrionis (L. 1758) (Coleoptera, Buprestidae).

The morphological and histological structures of the digestive tracts of adult males and females of Capnodis tenebrionis (L. 1758) are described using stereo microscopy, light microscopy, and scanning electron microscopy. C. tenebrionis is an economically important species and not previously studied. The digestive tract of C. tenebrionis is morphologically and histologically divided into three main parts, including foregut, midgut, and hindgut. The foregut begins at the mouth followed by the short pharynx and esophagus, crop and proventriculus. Histologically, the foregut showed outer circular and inner longitudinal muscle layers followed by a basement membrane and epithelium. The innermost layer is intima. The inner surface of the crop shows several spine-like structures. There are clustered teeth on the inner surface of the proventriculus. The midgut consists of outer muscularis and inner columnar epithelium with a peritrophic membrane surrounding gut content. The outer surface of the midgut is covered with regularly spaced rounded structures called regenerative crypts. The Malpighian tubule shows a single layer of cuboidal epithelium. The hindgut, the last part of the digestive system, initiates with pylorus followed by ileum, colon, and rectum and ends exteriorly with the anus.

Morphological structure of salivary glands, alimentary canal, and Malpighian tubules in adult Eurydema spectabilis Horváth, 1882 (Heteroptera, Pentatomidae).

Eurydema spectabilis (Heteroptera: Pentatomidae) has a piercing-sucking mouth type and feeds on plant sap. In this study, the morphological structure of the salivary glands, alimentary canal, and Malpighian tubules of E. spectabilis was examined using light and scanning electron microscopy. Salivary glands consist of the principal and accessory salivary glands. In E. spectabilis, digestion begins in the mouth and ends in the anus. Alimentary canal is divided into three parts: foregut, midgut, and hindgut. The foregut consists of pharynx, esophagus, and proventriculus. The esophagus connects to the proventriculus and resembles a narrow tube. The wall of the proventriculus has a recessed structure and is surrounded by a single cylindrical layer of epithelium and muscle. The midgut is divided into three regions: the first, second, and third ventricles (V1-V3). V1 and V2 consist of single-layered cylindrical epithelium. V3 contains a single layer of cuboidal epithelium. Gastric caeca were found in the midgut. The hindgut consisted of a pylorus followed by a well-developed rectum. The wall of the rectum consists of a single-layer cuboidal epithelium and muscle. Its lumen contains numerous bacteria and uric acid crystals. The pylorus consists of a single-layered cylindrical epithelium. It is also the origin of Malpighian tubules. Malpighian tubules consist of two regions: proximal and distal. The morphological structure of the salivary glands, alimentary canal, and Malpighian tubules of E. spectabilis, which has not been studied before, was examined and discussed in comparison with other orders. It is also aimed to contribute to future studies. RESEARCH HIGHLIGHTS: In E. spectabilis, the salivary glands are divided into principal and accessory salivary glands. Microvilli and numerous secretory granules were found in Malpighian tubules. Numerous uric acid crystals and bacteria were found in the rectum lumen.

Characterization of the alimentary canal and Malpighian tubules of Chrysolina herbacea (Duftschmid, 1825) (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae): Anatomical and histological approaches.

The mint beetle or green mint beetle, Chrysolina herbacea, is one of the most important insect pests of mint herb. These insects are associated with plants belonging to the Lamiaceae family, in particular the Mentha genus. They cause serious damages to plants by consuming their leaves. For this reason, it is an important agricultural pest, and the structure of the digestive system must be known well to combat these insects. The alimentary canal of adult C. herbacea divided into three main regions: foregut, midgut and hindgut. The foregut is characterized by the following parts; pharynx, esophagus, crop, and proventriculus. The proximal part of Malpighian tubules joins with the pyloric valve. Their distal parts are located in the hemocoel and have a wavy appearance and a flat surface. Malpighian tubules are surrounded by a single layer of cubic epithelium which is with brush border, and sheath. The hindgut is formed the following regions; pyloric valve, ileum, colon and rectum. In foregut and hindgut, the layers represented from within out are: intima, epithelium, muscle layer. In the midgut, the layers from within out are: peritrophic membrane, epithelium, muscle layer. The foregut has a monolayer cubic epithelium with oval nuclei. In the midgut, the epithelium is simple columnar while in the hindgut, the epithelium is simple cuboidal. This is the first report on alimentary canal and Malpighian tubules histo-anatomy in C. herbacea. The results will help guide the development of new strategies for managing this pest.

Anatomy and histology of reproductive system of adult male mint leaf beetle Chrysolina herbacea (Duftschmid, 1825) (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae).

In this study, anatomy and histology of the male reproductive system of Chrysolina herbacea (Duftschmid 1825) (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae) are described and illustrated by using light and scanning electron microscopies. Data from the male gonad of this species provide more extended and precise knowledge regarding the histoanatomical structure of the reproductive system in Chrysomelidae. The male reproductive system in C. herbacea consists of paired bilobed testes, two paired vas efferentia, paired seminal vesicles, paired vas deferentia, paired tubular accessory glands, a ductus ejaculatorius, and an aedeagus. Each testis consists of 40 follicles enveloped in a yellow pigmented sheath. In the light and scanning electron microscope examinations of male reproductive system of C. herbacea, different spermatogenesis stages (spermatocytes, spermatids, and spermatozoa) are found. Each testes follicle joins with the vas efferens surrounded by monolayered cubic epithelium with oval nuclei. Epithelial cells are covered from the outside with a thin layer of muscle and sheath. Vas efferens connect to vas deferens that may have an enlarged and differentiated region = seminal vesicle. Mature spermatozoa are seen in the lumen of the vas efferens, seminal vesicle, and vas deferens. There is a pair of accessory glands with a convoluted appearance in the tubular structure around the vas deferens. The vas deferens is a straight tube which leads into the proximal end of the ductus ejaculatorius. Ductus ejaculatorius wall is surrounded by intima, monolayer epithelium, and a thick muscle layer with many nuclei. The distal section of the ductus ejaculatorius is housed within the aedeagus.

Functional morphology of the suckers and teeth of the medicinal leech Hirudo verbana Carena, 1820 (Annelida; Clitellata; Hirudinida): A scanning electron microscope study.

In this study, the triple jaws and suckers of the leeches belonging to the Hirudo verbana Carena, 1820 (Annelida; Clitellata; Hirudinida) were examined using the stereomicroscopy and scanning electron microscopy. In H. verbana, suckers are seen on the first annulus and last annulus of the body. The mouth opens in the center of the front suction cup, and behind this opening is a movable triple jaw apparatus with many teeth. The posterior sucker disc consists of the last seven body segments and lacks an opening. The shape of the jaw is trignatous. The pharynx is equally located around of the three muscular jaws. The jaws are muscular covered with cuticle and carry a row of teeth arranged at the tip. In this study, it was determined that secretory canal holes were identified between the teeth. The results show that the size of teeth determines long-term bleeding so revealing the structure and working mechanism of the teeth has importance for medicinal leeches. At the same time, the difference of teeth and jaw structures of leeches may be a criterion in the classification of medicinal leeches.

Anatomical and histological studies of the alimentary canal of adult maize leaf weevil, Tanymecusdilaticollis Gyllenhal, 1834 (Coleoptera: Curculionidae).

In this study, ananatomical and histological study was conducted on the alimentary canal of Tanymecusdilaticollis (Coleoptera: Curculionidae), which is an economic polyphagous pest species, to study the relationship between the structure of the alimentary canal and the feeding habit. Therefore, the structure of the alimentary canal of T. dilaticollis was examined using light and electron microscopies. Results have shown that the alimentary canal in T. dilaticollis is consisted of three separate regions as foregut, midgut, and hindgut structurally between the mouth and the anus, which pass from head, thorax, and abdomen. The foregut consists of pharynx, esophagus, crop and proventriculus and in the crop part, expansion is seen compared to other foregut parts. Midgut of T. dilaticollis is the largest part of digestion system. The anterior region of midgut is twofolds wider than the posterior region. The posterior midgut extends tubularly and it is connected to eightgastric caeca. The hindgut of T. dilaticollis consists of fourparts as pylorus, ileum, colon, and rectum. Well-developed muscle layers are found near the rectum and genital chamber. These results contribute to further studies on the ecology and biological control agents of Coleoptera and to provide a broad comparison of alimentary canal of Coleoptera species.

The histomorphological structure of the male reproductive system of maize leaf weevil Tanymecus dilaticollis Gyllenhal, 1834 (Coleoptera: Curculionidae).

The histomorphology of the reproductive system and the germ cells has been useful to establish phylogenetic relationships in many insects. However, these elements remain little known in the Curculionidae. In this study, histomorphological structure of the male reproductive system of Tanymecus dilaticollis, which is economically important, is described, illustrated using stereomicroscopy, light microscopy, and scanning electron microscopy techniques, and discussed in relation to other Coleoptera species. Results showed that distinctive features of the male reproductive system of T. dilaticollis consist of a pair of yellowish testes, a pair of seminal vesicles, a pair of vasa deferentia, an ejaculatory duct, accessory glands, prostate glands, and aedeagus. Each testis is subdivided into two testicular follicles, enclosed by a peritoneal sheath. Each follicle of the mature testes is full sperm cysts with germ cells at various stages development of spermatogenesis. The testes have four types of germ cells (spermatogonia, spermatocytes, spermatids, and spermatozoa). They are occupied by the growth zone containing spermatogonia and spermatocytes, the maturation zone containing spermatids, while differentiation zone containing spermatozoa. There is a seminal vesicle at the center of each testis. Most mature sperms are stored in the seminal vesicle. Each testis is attached to the vas deferens by a stalk-like seminal vesicle. In the distal part, vasa deferentia fuse with the ejaculatory duct. It is linked to the aedeagus. The provided results will contribute to the understanding of the reproductive cell biology of Curculionidae.

Morphological and histological structure of the male reproductive system of the water strider Gerris lacustris (Linnaeus 1758) (Gerridae, Heteroptera).

This work presents the male reproductive system morphology and histology of the water strider Gerris lacustris (Linnaeus 1758) (Gerridae, Heteroptera) using light microscopy and scanning electron microscopy. The male reproductive system of G. lacustris comprise of a pair of testes, two vasa deferentia, two seminal vesicles, an ejaculatory duct. There is no bulbus ejaculatorius and the long vas deferantia uniting to form a simple ductus ejaculatorius which is connected to the aedeagus. The testes are white colored and this cylindiric-shaped structure lies along genital abdominal segment. The testicular follicles have three different development zones (growth zone, maturation zone, differentiation zone). Each testis has two follicles, which are not lined by a common peritoneal sheath and involving many cysts arranged in a progressive order of maturation from the distal to the proximal region; spermiogenesis occurs in mature males, finishing with the organization of sperm bundles. The testes are connected to the seminal vesicles, specialized sperm storage places, by the vas deferentia.

Histological and ultrastructural features of the rectum in Poecilimon cervus Karabag, 1950 (Orthoptera: Tettigoniidae).

The morphology and ultrastructure of the rectum in Poecilimon cervus Karabag, 1950 (Orthoptera, Tettigoniidae) were analyzed by light microscope, scanning (SEM) and transmission electron microscopes (TEM). The rectum is the final part of the digestive tract that plays an important role in water reabsorption in insects and so provides osmoregulation. In the transverse sections, six rectal pads and columnar epithelium can be distinguished. The cuticular intima lines the lumen at the apical side of the epithelium. In the cytoplasm, there are numerous mitochondria, some endocytic vesicles, secreting vesicles whose sizes differ according to the area in the cell, and a nucleus with globular in shape. With this study, we aimed to demonstrate the ultrastructure of the rectum of P. cervus and differences or similarities of with other species.

Structural and ultrastructural features of the Malpighian tubules of Dolycoris baccarum (Linnaeus 1758), (Heteroptera: Pentatomidae).

The morphology and ultrastructure of the Malpighian tubules of Dolycoris baccarum were analyzed by scanning (SEM) and transmission (TEM) electron microscopy in order to determine their functional organization. The Malpighian tubules are compared with similar structures of other insects based on cell structure and functional organization. The Malpighian tubules of D. baccarum extend from the midgut-hindgut region of the digestive tract. The Malpighian tubules are divided into two regions: the proximal segment is short and flattened and the distal segment is long, stringy in shape and free in hemolymph. The tubules are generally long and narrow. There is a large number of trachea around the tubules. They consist of a single layer of epithelial cells. It is observed in the TEM observation that the epithelial cells have numerous microvilli at the apical side of the cells. At the basal side of the cells, there is a great number of membrane foldings and mitochondria among them. Besides some spherites, mitochondria, lysosome-like bodies, and large or small granules can be distinguished in the cells. With this study, we aimed to demonstrate the ultrastructure of the Malpighian tubules of D. baccarum and differences or similarities with other species.

Ultrastructure of male reproductive system of Eurydema ventrale Kolenati 1846 (Heteroptera: Pentatomidae).

The male reproductive system of Eurydema ventrale Kolenati 1846 is studied morphologically and histologically by using light, scanning and transmission electron microscopes. The reproductive system of the male E.ventrale consists of a pair of testis, a pair of vas deferens, a pair of seminal vesicles, accessory glands, a bulbus ejaculatorius, a pair of ectodermal sacs, and a ductus ejaculatorius. The testicular follicles have three different development zones (growth zone, maturation zone, and differentiation zone). The testes are connected to the seminal vesicles by the vas deferens that is a specialized in sperm storage. Sperm have an elongated head and a tail (flagellum) with an axonema and two mitochondrial derivatives. Vas deferens and seminal vesicles are fine, long, and cylindrical. The seminal vesicle is connected with bulbus ejaculatorius, which is balloon shaped and surrounded with accessory glands. The bulbus ejaculatorius is continuous with ductus ejaculatorius which is connected to the aedeagus.

Morphology of spermathecae of some pentatomids (Hemiptera: Heteroptera: Pentatomidae) from Turkey.

The spermathecal morphology of nine species belonging to the Pentatomidae (Insecta: Heteroptera) were compared by optical and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Among the examined species [Rhaphigaster nebulosa (Poda 1761), Palomena prasina (Linnaeus 1761), Piezodorus lituratus (Fabricius 1794), Graphosoma lineatum (Linnaeus 1758), Graphosoma semipunctatum (Fabricius 1775), Aelia albovittata (Fieber 1868), Codophila varia (Fabricius 1787), Ancyrosoma leucogrammes (Gmelin 1790), Nezara viridula (Linnaeus 1758)], all spermathecae contained a spermathecal bulb (reservoir), a pumping region, distal and proximal flanges, proximal and distal spermathecal ducts, dilation of spermathecal duct and a genital chamber containing two ring sclerites, but each species had a different spermathecal morphology.

Structure of the mouthparts and alimentary canal of Eusomus ovulum Germar, 1824 (Coleoptera: Curculionidae)

ABSTRACT The structural morphology of mouthparts, the distribution of sensilla on the mouthparts, histology, and the morphology of the alimentary canal in adult Eusomus ovulum Germar, 1824 were examined under both light and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The mouthparts are located at the tip of the short rostrum. The mandibles, the maxillae and the labial palpi comprise the moveable mouthparts. Also there are sensillae which act as chemoreceptors on the terminal segment of the snout. Alimentary canal of adult E. ovulum is divided into three main regions, foregut, midgut and hindgut. The first part of the gut is foregut, which is made up of a pharynx, esophagus, crop and proventriculus. The pharynx extends from the mouth, having muscle attachments radiating out from its surface and connecting with the head region. The esophagus is a narrow epithelial tube contiguous and posterior to the pharynx. The proventriculus consists of 8 sclerotized plates. The midgut, which is anteriorly bulbous with a tubular posterior half. Gastric caeca were found on the posterior region of the midgut. The midgut is surrounded by outer muscles and inner columnar epithelium. The hindgut has pylorus, ileum, colon, and rectum. There are three histological layers of the hindgut from lumen to hemocoel: intima, epithelium, muscles. The hindgut has a cryptonephridial attachment for the six Malpighian tubes anterior to the rectum. The aim of the present study is to contribute information on the morphology of mouthparts, and the morphology and histology of the alimentary tract of the insect.

The morphology and histology of the male reproductive system in Dolycoris baccarum Linnaeus 1758 (Heteroptera: Pentatomidae)--light and scanning electron micoscope studies.

The male reproductive system of Dolycoris baccarum (Linnaeus 1758) is studied morphologically and histologically using both light and scanning electron microscopes (SEM). The reproductive system of the male D. baccarum consists of a pair of testis, a pair of vas deferens, a pair of seminal vesicles, accessory glands (mesadenia, ectadenia), a bulbus ejaculatorius, a pair of ectodermal sacs, and a ductus ejaculatorius. The number of testicular follicles varies from four to six. The testicular follicles have three different development zones (growth zone, maturation zone, differentiation zone). The testes are connected to the seminal vesicles by the vas deferens. Vas deferens and seminal vesicles, which are fine-long and cylindrical. The seminal vesicle is connected with bulbus ejaculatorius which is balloon-shaped and surrounded with accessory glands. The bulbus ejaculatorius is continuous with ductus ejaculatorius which connected to the aedeagus.