Histomorphological Structure of Male Reproductive System in Capnodis tenebrionis (Linnaeus, 1761) (Coleoptera: Buprestidae)

Abstract

In this study, anatomy and histology of the male reproductive system in adults of Capnodis tenebrionis, which are called the Mediterranean flat-headed root-borer, 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 to histoanatomical structure of the testis in Buprestidae. In this study, male reproductive system of C. tenebrionis consisted of two testes, two vas deferens and two accessory glands which are long tube-like, a pair of spermatophoral glands, an ejaculatory duct, and an aedeagus. Each testis was subdivided into a lot of tubular testicular follicles. Vas deferens was a tubular structure and located just below the testis. Its wall was surrounded by a monolayer cylindrical epithelium and a thin muscle layer. In its lumen, it was observed that mature sperm stacks were stored. Vas deferentia were immediately opened ejaculatory duct. It was surrounded by a single layered epithelium and a very thick muscle layer. Long, tubular, convoluted a pair of accessory glands were seen which were connected to the ejaculatory duct. In the accessory glands, it was seen that the wall was surrounded by monolayer cubic epithelium and sheath. In addition, it was seen that oval, sheet-shaped, paired spermatophoral glands were opened into the ejaculator canal. Its histological examinations revealed that the wall was surrounded by multilayered epithelial cells and muscle layer. The ejaculatory canal was connected to the aedeagus with very dense striated muscle bundles. The aim of the present study is to contribute information on the histomorphology of the male reproductive system of the insects.

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