Please use this identifier to cite or link to this item:
https://www.arca.fiocruz.br/handle/icict/11812
Type
ArticleCopyright
Open access
Collections
- IOC - Artigos de Periódicos [12967]
Metadata
Show full item record
ANATOMY OF THE SPERMATOPHORE IN TRIATOMINES (HEMIPTERA, REDUVIIDAE, TRIATOMINAE) AND ITS APPLICATIONS TO THE STUDY OF CHAGAS DISEASE VECTOR BIOLOGY
Affilliation
Fundação Oswaldo Cruz. Instituto Oswaldo Cruz. Laboratório de Transmissores de Leishmanioses. Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brasil.
Fundação Oswaldo Cruz. Instituto Oswaldo Cruz. Laboratório de Transmissores de Leishmanioses. Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brasil.
Fundação Oswaldo Cruz. Instituto Oswaldo Cruz. Laboratório de Transmissores de Leishmanioses. Setor de Entomologia Médica e Forense. Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brasil.
Fundação Oswaldo Cruz. Instituto Oswaldo Cruz. Laboratório de Transmissores de Leishmanioses. Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brasil.
Fundação Oswaldo Cruz. Instituto Oswaldo Cruz. Laboratório de Transmissores de Leishmanioses. Setor de Entomologia Médica e Forense. Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brasil.
Abstract
The present study focused on spermatophore structure, transfer, and subsequent destination inside
bloodfeeding females of the species Triatoma infestans and Rhodnius neglectus. The morphology of the spermatophore
differed between the species studied, such that in T. infestans, the shape was ovaloid, whereas in R. neglectus, the shape
resembled a rod. Structures’ spine-like cuticulars distributed across the inner surface of the vagina of both species were
observed; however, the role of these cuticulars is unknown in Triatominae. In both species, there was an opening in the
spermatophore exactly where the common oviduct is connected, thereby making it possible to confirm that the process
of spermatozoid migration takes place through this opening. The results obtained show that the spermatophores
of T. infestans and R. neglectus differ in size, shape, and structure. Therefore, they can be used as taxonomic markers and
may provide information regarding physiology and evolution.
Share