Morpho-physiological Differences of the Spermatheca of Attini Ants (Hymenoptera: Myrmicinae)

Abstract

*[The spermatheca of Atta laevigata, Atta sexdens sexdens, Atta sexdens piriventris, Acromyrmex coronatus, & Cyphomyrmex muelleri were examined by scanning electron microscopy, histological, & histochemical techniques. Their morphology resembled that of a bilobular pouch partially jointed in the central portion. In A. coronatus & C. muelleri, it is flatter in shape than those of other species. The external spermathecal gland, groups of secretory cells, was located at the joining point of the 2 spermathecal lobes of the reservoir. This was observed in A. laevigata, A. s. sexdens, & A. coronatus, like a group of cells, while in C. muelleri, like filaments. An external associated gland was not observed in A. s. piriventris, instead secretory cells were arranged in a simple prismatic epithelium internally lining the spermathecal lumen. This epithelium was also observed in A. s. sexdens, although it was restricted to the joining point of the spermathecal lobes. The presence of an internal secretory epithelium in A. s. piriventris & A. s. sexdens suggests that their physiology for the maintenance of spermatozoa in viable conditions for egg fertilization might differ from A. laevigata, A. coronatus, & C. muelleri, in which only an external spermathecal gland was observed.]