Phylogenetic implications of structure of adult ovary and oogenesis in the penicillate diplopod, Eudigraphis nigricians (miyosi) (diplopoda: Myriapoda)

We describe some significant structures of the adult ovary in a Japanese penicillate diplopod, Eudigraphis nigricans , with respect to phylogenetic implications. The ovary is a long, saclike organ lying between the alimentary canal and the ventral nerve cord from the fourth through the ninth body segment. The ovarian wall consists of a thin ovarian epithelium and a sparse muscle covering. There are two types of oogenetic sites: a single, mound‐shaped germarium sitting on the center of the ventral ovarian epithelium, and ∼ 10 pairs of patchlike vitellarial areas metamerically arranged anterior and posterior to the germarium. The germarium consists of oogonia, early previtellogenic oocytes, and some somatic interstitial cells. In contrast, the vitellarial areas are composed of more advanced oocytes, follicle cells surrounding the oocytes, and some interstitial cells, but no oogonia. A few larger previtellogenic oocytes rise up from each vitellarial area into the ovarian lumen. Each of these oocytes is still connected with its own vitellarial area by a partial extension of its follicle. Vitellogenesis takes place in these oocytes rising in the ovarian lumen. The ripe primary oocytes leave their follicles to be transported forward into the oviducts. Some phylogenetic implications of the basic characteristics in ovarian structure and oogenesis of E. nigricans are discussed. © 1994 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.