The spermatheca ultrastructure of the ground beetle Clinidium canaliculatum (Costa) (Carabidae, Rhysodinae)

Abstract

The ground beetle Clinidium canaliculatum is a member of Rhysodinae, a taxon with still discussed systematic position. The spermatheca of this species is a small cylindrical structure connected to the common oviduct by a thin duct. The ultrastructure of the organ has revealed that the apical receptacle is provided with an epithelium lined by a thick cuticle from the deeper region of which several finger-like cuticular structures extend into the cytoplasm. On these structures adhere microtubule bundles that cross the whole cytoplasm to anchor on short densities along the basal plasma membrane. These specializations are strongly reminiscent of the hemidesmosomes, possibly playing a mechanical role enabling the cells to resist to the muscle contractions pushing the sperm towards the spermathecal duct. The cells are rich in mitochondria and glycogen granules and they are possibly involved in fluid uptake from the spermathecal lumen. The spermathecal duct has a simple epithelium lined by a soft cuticle. The sperm present in the apical receptacle and in the duct lumen maintain the structure described in the male genital apparatuses. They are generally free and embedded in a homogeneous electron-dense material. Occasionally, a sperm bundle, still with an apical cap, was visible in the spermathecal receptacle.