Abstract
The male genital system ofCephalobaena tetrapoda comprises the unpaired testis and seminal vesicle and the paired connecting tubes, ejaculatory bulbs, vasa deferentia, and dilators. These lead into the genital atrium, which can be everted to form the copulatory organ. An ultrastructural analysis of each of these compounds is presented, including spermiogenesis, which was traced in some important stages. The diverging nomenclature of the complicated male genital system was unified and partly changed: where the vas deferens and dilator merge, the former loses its epithelial lining; the cuticular tube is called the cirrus. Anteriorly, the dilator also gives rise to a cuticular, semilunar tube. The cirrus and semilunar tube run parallel and reach the genital atrium, which can be evaginated to form the copulatory organ. Apparently, the male genital system represents an original type from which the complicated porocephalic systems may be derived.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Böckeler W (1984a) Ovarmorphologie und Oogenese beiReighardia sternae. Ein Beitrag zur Frage der systematischen Stellung der Pentastomida. Zool Jahrb Abt Anat Ontog Tiere 111:175–193
Böckeler W (1984b) Entwicklung und Ultrastruktur des weiblichen Genitaltraktes vonReighardia sternae (Pentastomida). Zool Jahrb Abt Anat Ontog Tiere 111:409–432
Böckeler W, Böhme W (1987) Pentastomiden-Untersuchungen an Schlangen Paraguays. Salamandra 23:52–62
Doucet J (1964) Données nouvelles sur l'anatomie et histologie des Pentastomes. Proceedings, 1st International Congress on Parasitology Roma, vol 1. Pergamon, Oxford, p 621
Haffner K von (1922) Beitrage zur Kenntnis der Linguatuliden: II. Zur Eireifung vonPorocephalus armillatus (Wyman). Zool Anz 54:170–177
Haffner K von, Rack G (1971) Beitrag zur Anatomie, Entwicklung und systematische Stellung derCephalobaena tetrapoda Heymons, 1922 (Pentastomida). Zool Jahrb Abt Anat Ontog Tiere 88:505–526
Hett ML (1924) On the family Linguatulidae. Proc Zool Soc Lond VIII:107–159
Heymons R (1935) Pentastomida. In: Bronns Klassen und Ordnungen des Tierreiches, vol 5. Akadem. Verlagsges. mbH, Leipzig
Nörrevang A (1972) Oogenesis in Pentastomida. Acta Zool 53:57–72
Riehl R, Walldorf V (1985) Oogenesis in the pentastomidRaillietiella aegypti (Cephalobaenida): II. The egg-shell. Z Parasitenkd 71:125–133
Riley J (1983) Recent advances in our understanding of pentastomid reproductive biology. Parasitology 86:59–83
Riley J (1986) The biology of pentastomids. Adv Parasitol 25:45–128
Riley J, Spratt DM (1987) Further observations on pentastomids (Arthropoda) parasitic in Australian reptiles and mammals. Rec South Aust Mus (Adelaide) 21:139–147
Self JT (1983) Pentastomida. In: Adiyodi KG, Adiyodi RG (eds) Reproductive biology of invertebrates, vol. 3. John Wiley, Chichester, pp 478–490
Walldorf V, Riehl R (1985) Oogenesis in the pentastomidRaillietiella aegypti (Cephalobaenida): I. Previtellogenic and vitellogenic stages. Z Parasitenkd 71:113–124
Wingstrand KG (1972) Comparative spermatology of a pentastomid,Raillietiella hemidactyli, and a branchiuran curstacean,Argulus foliaceus, with a discussion of pentastomid relationships. K Dan Vidensk Selsk Biol Skr 19:1–72
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Böckeler, W., Storch, V. Ultrastructural analysis of the male genital system ofCephalobaena tetrapoda Heymons, 1922 (Pentastomida). Parasitol Res 76, 270–277 (1990). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00930824
Accepted:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00930824