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Sperm structure and ultrastructure in the Hymenoptera (Insecta)
Author(s) -
J.QUICKE DONALD L.,
INGRAM SIMON N.,
BAILLIE HELEN S.,
GAITENS PAULINE V.
Publication year - 1992
Publication title -
zoologica scripta
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.204
H-Index - 64
eISSN - 1463-6409
pISSN - 0300-3256
DOI - 10.1111/j.1463-6409.1992.tb00339.x
Subject(s) - biology , braconidae , eulophidae , hymenoptera , ultrastructure , zoology , axoneme , vespidae , anatomy , botany , parasitoid , flagellum , paleontology , bacteria
A light and electron microscopical survey of spermatozoan gross morphology and ultrastructure in the Hymenoptera is presented. Details are provided for the first time for members of the families Xyelidae, Argidae, Tenthredinidae, Diprionidae, Cephidae, Figitidae, Proctotrupidae, Diaprii‐ dae, Heloridae, Eurytomidae, Leucospidae, Perilampidae, Torymidae, Braconidae, Dryinidae, Sphecidae, Pompilidae and Vespidae. Spermatozoan length ranged from 8 μ m in some Braconidae to 500 μm in one chalcidoid. Considerable variation in gross morphology and ultrastructure were observed between taxa. Several phylogenetically informative characters were noted. Very small spermatozoa characterized most of the non‐cyclostome subfamilies of Braconidae; spirally twisted axoneme and mitochondrial derivatives occur in the Eulophidae, Eurytomidae and Pteromalidae; spermatozoa with virtually indistinguishable head (nucleus and acrosome) regions characterized the Vespinae and Polistinae. The presence of well‐developed spermatodesmata in the vas deferens and seminal vesicle characterize the Symphyta and were largely absent from other groups though they are occasionally present in some bees.