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Rezende PH, Mercati D, Lupetti P, Dallai R. The sperm ultrastructure of Spermophagus kuesteri Schilsky, 1905 (Chrysomelidae, Bruchinae) and considerations on the relationships of Cucujiformia superfamilies. Micron 2024; 181:103625. [PMID: 38503061 DOI: 10.1016/j.micron.2024.103625] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/17/2023] [Revised: 03/06/2024] [Accepted: 03/06/2024] [Indexed: 03/21/2024]
Abstract
The sperm ultrastructure of the bean-weevil Spermophagus kuesteri (Bruchinae) was studied to verify the congruence of the new position of the subfamily within Chrysomelidae. The results indicated a positive answer to the question supporting a close relationship between Chrysomelidae and Curculionidae, a finding confirmed also by molecular data. Moreover, the sperm morphology of Divales cinctus, a member of Melyridae (Cleroidea) allowed to confirm the different sperm organization between members of this superfamily and Phytophaga (Chrysomeloidea + Curculionoidea). While studying the spermiogenesis of S. kuesteri, some sperm cysts showed aberrant cells provided with two flagella in the same plasma membrane. These aberrant sperm could be the result, during early spermiogenesis, of irregular processes involving the canal rings between spermatids.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - David Mercati
- Dipartimento di Scienze della Vita, Università di Siena, Italy.
| | - Pietro Lupetti
- Dipartimento di Scienze della Vita, Università di Siena, Italy.
| | - Romano Dallai
- Dipartimento di Scienze della Vita, Università di Siena, Italy.
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Rezende PH, Costa DA, da Silva Paulo M, Dias G, Lupetti P, Lino-Neto J, Dallai R. Sperm morphology of Tingidae Laporte, 1833 (Miroidea: Cimicomorpha). Microsc Res Tech 2024; 87:1384-1397. [PMID: 38380818 DOI: 10.1002/jemt.24528] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/03/2024] [Revised: 02/01/2024] [Accepted: 02/10/2024] [Indexed: 02/22/2024]
Abstract
Here, we describe for the first time the sperm morphology of Tingidae (Heteroptera). They are small insects presenting lacy patterns on their pronotum and hemielytra and are exclusively phytophagous, with many economically important species. We studied five species of the tribe Tingini (Tinginae): Teleonemia scrupulosa, Vatiga illudens, Gargaphia lunulata, Leptopharsa sp., and Corythucha arcuata. Their spermiogenesis process is similar to other Heteroptera, with some differences in the formation of the centriole adjunct. This structure extends in the anteroposterior spermatid axis, flanking the nucleus, possibly contributing to nucleus remodeling and sperm elongation. The mature sperm of Tingidae is also similar to that of other Heteroptera, with features that corroborate the group's monophyly. Our data support previous results for their sister family, Miridae, which exhibits some characteristics exclusive to this taxon, not present in Tingidae or other Heteroptera. They also support the sister relationship of the genera Gargaphia and Leptopharsa and suggest closer relationship between Vatiga and Corythucha. Overall, this study sheds light on the sperm ultrastructure of Tingidae and provides information for understanding the evolution and diversity of Heteroptera. RESEARCH HIGHLIGHTS: The spermiogenesis process and mature sperm are similar to other Heteroptera The centriole adjunct is derived from a strip of a pericentriolar material extending from the centriole Tingidae and Miridae are distinguishable using sperm morphology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paulo Henrique Rezende
- Departamento de Entomologia, Universidade Federal de Viçosa, Viçosa, Minas Gerais, Brazil
| | - Dayvson Ayala Costa
- Departamento de Entomologia, Universidade Federal de Viçosa, Viçosa, Minas Gerais, Brazil
| | - Mauricio da Silva Paulo
- Departamento de Biologia Geral, Universidade Federal de Viçosa, Viçosa, Minas Gerais, Brazil
| | - Glenda Dias
- Departamento de Biologia Geral, Universidade Federal de Viçosa, Viçosa, Minas Gerais, Brazil
| | - Pietro Lupetti
- Dipartimento di Scienze della Vita, Università di Siena, Toscana, Italy
| | - José Lino-Neto
- Departamento de Biologia Geral, Universidade Federal de Viçosa, Viçosa, Minas Gerais, Brazil
| | - Romano Dallai
- Dipartimento di Scienze della Vita, Università di Siena, Toscana, Italy
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Dallai R, Mercati D, Lupetti P. The ultrastructure of the spermatheca of Mordellistena brevicauda (Coleoptera, Tenebrionoidea) and the associated bacterial cells. Arthropod Struct Dev 2024; 80:101357. [PMID: 38669939 DOI: 10.1016/j.asd.2024.101357] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/06/2024] [Revised: 04/08/2024] [Accepted: 04/18/2024] [Indexed: 04/28/2024]
Abstract
The ultrastructural study on the female reproductive system of the beetle M. brevicauda (Mordellidae) confirmed the positive correlation between the length of the sperm and the size of the female seminal receptacle (Spermatheca). The spermatheca of the species is characterized by an apical bulb-like structure where the spermathecal duct forms numerous folds filled with sperm. At this level many bacterial cells are present intermingled with the duct folds. Some are organized in large structures, such as bacteriomes, while other are single bacteriocytes. The latter are often found near the basal lamina of duct epithelium. In addition, some bacteria are visible in the cytoplasm of the duct epithelial cells. Interestingly, bacterial cells have never been observed in the duct lumen. The possible function of the bacterial cells is discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Romano Dallai
- Department of Life Sciences, University of Siena, Siena, Italy.
| | - David Mercati
- Department of Life Sciences, University of Siena, Siena, Italy.
| | - Pietro Lupetti
- Department of Life Sciences, University of Siena, Siena, Italy.
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Giglio A, Mercati D, Lupetti P, Brandmayr P, Dallai R. The sperm structure of Clinidium canaliculatum (Costa): A contribution to the systematic position of Rhysodidae (Coleoptera: Carabidae). Arthropod Struct Dev 2024; 78:101330. [PMID: 38215540 DOI: 10.1016/j.asd.2023.101330] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/10/2023] [Revised: 12/21/2023] [Accepted: 12/21/2023] [Indexed: 01/14/2024]
Abstract
The systematic position and the phylogenetic relationship of Rhysodidae members is still debated, with some authors considering the group as a separate family of Adephaga, while for others they could be a subfamily of Carabidae. The group have morphological traits quite different from Carabidae and an aberrant behaviour compared to ground beetles being not predaceous. The sperm ultrastructure of C. canaliculatum was studied comparatively with other species of beetles, Carabidae in particular. The results indicate that the sperm structure of this species is similar to that of the Carabinae species. As in these species, C. canaliculatum has sperm conjugates with an apical conical cap protecting the heads and the initial region of flagella. This sperm appearance is also shared by another species of Rhysodidae, Omoglymmius hamatus. The material of the apical cap consists of an electron-dense material with a peculiar outer net configuration. Many species of Carabidae, however, can present a different type of sperm conjugation, the spermatostyle: a long rod-like structure where the individual sperms have only the most apical part inserted in the cortical area and the flagella are completely free. C. canaliculatum sperm are endowed with a mono-layered acrosome, a nucleus of variable shape along its length, a flagellum consisting of a typical axoneme 9 + 9+2, provided with 16 protofilaments in the tubular wall of accessory tubules, two asymmetric mitochondrial derivatives with the left one larger than the opposite one, and the right accessory body elongated and larger than the opposite one. These sperm characteristics, which are shared also by another member of the group, suggest the demotion of the family Rhysodidae to the subfamily Rhysodinae within Carabidae, a result also supported by recent molecular data.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anita Giglio
- Department of Biology, Ecology and Earth Sciences, Di.B.E.S.T., University of Calabria, Cosenza, Italy.
| | - David Mercati
- Department of Life Sciences, University of Siena, Siena, Italy.
| | - Pietro Lupetti
- Department of Life Sciences, University of Siena, Siena, Italy.
| | - Pietro Brandmayr
- Department of Biology, Ecology and Earth Sciences, Di.B.E.S.T., University of Calabria, Cosenza, Italy.
| | - Romano Dallai
- Department of Life Sciences, University of Siena, Siena, Italy.
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Dallai R, Mercati D, Rezende PH, Fanciulli PP, Lupetti P. Ultrastructure of the female reproductive organs of the diving beetle Deronectes moestus incospectus (Leprieur, 1876) (Dytiscidae, Hydroporinae). Arthropod Struct Dev 2023; 75:101287. [PMID: 37429116 DOI: 10.1016/j.asd.2023.101287] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/17/2023] [Revised: 06/21/2023] [Accepted: 06/26/2023] [Indexed: 07/12/2023]
Abstract
We describe the ultrastructure of the female reproductive organs of Deronectes moestus (Dytiscidae Hydroporinae). The long spermathecal duct has a simple epithelium lined internally by a thin cuticle and externally by a thick layer of muscle cells. The wide duct lumen contains electron-dense material, among which remnants of extracellular material are visible. This material consists of tubular structures assembled around sperm bundles previously described in the male deferent ducts. The so-called gland, disposed along the spermathecal duct, is a structure with epithelial cells lined by an irregular cuticle bearing a rich system of microvilli. Many mitochondria are visible in the apical cytoplasm of the epithelial cells, and a few spheroidal bodies are close to the basal nuclei. Since the epithelial ultrastructure of the gland suggests it is involved in fluid uptake from the lumen rather than secretory activity, the term gland, coined by other authors to describe this organ, is inappropriate. The spermatheca is a large structure with a complex epithelium showing secretory and duct-forming cells. The lumen of this organ contains sperm with the distinctive ultrastructural features of those described in the male deferent ducts, namely having a mitochondrial matrix with a small crystallized area and electron-dense dots. Because to its overall organization, the spermatheca of D. moestus can be considered a more integrated organ than those in previously studied hydroporine species.
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Affiliation(s)
- Romano Dallai
- Dipartimento di Scienze Della Vita, Università di Siena, Italy.
| | - David Mercati
- Dipartimento di Scienze Della Vita, Università di Siena, Italy.
| | | | | | - Pietro Lupetti
- Dipartimento di Scienze Della Vita, Università di Siena, Italy.
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Cerasti F, Mastrantonio V, Dallai R, Cristofaro M, Porretta D. Applying Satyrization to Insect Pest Control: The Case of the Spotted Wing Drosophila, Drosophila suzukii Matsumura. Insects 2023; 14:569. [PMID: 37367385 DOI: 10.3390/insects14060569] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/25/2023] [Revised: 06/15/2023] [Accepted: 06/16/2023] [Indexed: 06/28/2023]
Abstract
Drosophila suzukii represents one of the major agricultural pests worldwide. The identification of safety and long-lasting tools to suppress its populations is therefore crucial to mitigate the environmental and economic damages due to its occurrence. Here, we explore the possibility of using satyrization as a tool to control the abundance of D. suzukii. By using males of D. melanogaster, we realized courtship tests, spermathecae analysis, and multiple-choice experiments to assess the occurrence and extent of pre- and post-zygotic isolation between the two species, as well as the occurrence of fitness costs in D. suzukii females due to satyrization. Our results showed that: (i) D. melanogaster males successfully courted D. suzukii females; (ii) D. melanogaster males significantly affected the total courtship time of D. suzukii males, which reduced from 22.6% to 6.4%; (iii) D. melanogaster males were able to inseminate D. suzukii and reduce their offspring, inducing a high fitness cost. Reproductive interference occurs at different steps between D. melanogaster and D. suzukii, both alone and in combination with other area-wide control approaches.
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Affiliation(s)
- Flavia Cerasti
- Department of Environmental Biology, Sapienza University of Rome, 00185 Rome, Italy
| | | | - Romano Dallai
- Department of Life Sciences, University of Siena, Via A. Moro 2, 53100 Siena, Italy
| | | | - Daniele Porretta
- Department of Environmental Biology, Sapienza University of Rome, 00185 Rome, Italy
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Dallai R, Mercati D, Fanciulli PP, Lupetti P. Sperm structure of the diving beetle Deronectes moestus incospectus (Leprieur, 1876) (Hydroporinae, Dytiscidae) and considerations on extracellular material surrounding sperm bundles. Micron 2023; 171:103484. [PMID: 37196432 DOI: 10.1016/j.micron.2023.103484] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/13/2023] [Revised: 05/08/2023] [Accepted: 05/12/2023] [Indexed: 05/19/2023]
Abstract
The sperm cells of the diving beetle Deronectes moestus incospectus are characterized by sperm conjugation leading to the formation of sperm bundles of 64 units each. These bundles are formed at the end of spermatocyte cell divisions occurring in the testes and can be detected in the anterior region of the deferent ducts (first type of sperm conjugation). Fusions of some sperm bundles can occur at the end of the deferent ducts. The sperm bundles show sperm-head stacks (sperm rouleaux) and are surrounded by a cup of extracellular material secreted by the epithelial cells of the deferent ducts. This material extends posteriorly around the sperm bundle to cover the nuclei and the initial region of the sperm flagella. The cup extracellular material consists of fine tubules, and is no longer visible in sperm bundles at the posterior end of the deferent ducts. The sperm cells of D. moestus incospectus have an axoneme with a 9 + 9 + 2 pattern and unusual mitochondrial derivatives having a matrix showing dense dots and a small crystallized domain. Two thin elongated accessory bodies are located between the mitochondrial derivatives and the axoneme. The extracellular material can have different morphologies in the various families of Adephaga, but all are produced by the epithelium of the deferent ducts. Thus it is reasonable to assume that it has the same function in the different groups.
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Affiliation(s)
- Romano Dallai
- Dipartimento Scienze della Vita, Università degli Studi di Siena, Via Aldo Moro 2, 53100 Siena, Italy.
| | - David Mercati
- Dipartimento Scienze della Vita, Università degli Studi di Siena, Via Aldo Moro 2, 53100 Siena, Italy
| | - Pietro Paolo Fanciulli
- Dipartimento Scienze della Vita, Università degli Studi di Siena, Via Aldo Moro 2, 53100 Siena, Italy
| | - Pietro Lupetti
- Dipartimento Scienze della Vita, Università degli Studi di Siena, Via Aldo Moro 2, 53100 Siena, Italy
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Dallai R, Mercati D, Fanciulli PP, Lupetti P. The Structure of the Female Genital System of the Diving Beetle Scarodytes halensis (Fabricius, 1787) (Hydroporinae, Dytiscidae), and the Organization of the Spermatheca and the Spermathecal Gland Complex. Insects 2023; 14:insects14030282. [PMID: 36975967 PMCID: PMC10053596 DOI: 10.3390/insects14030282] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/22/2023] [Revised: 03/07/2023] [Accepted: 03/10/2023] [Indexed: 05/29/2023]
Abstract
The fine structure of the female reproductive organs of the diving beetle Scarodytes halensis has been described, with particular attention to the complex organization of the spermatheca and the spermathecal gland. These organs are fused in a single structure whose epithelium is involved in a quite different activity. The secretory cells of the spermathecal gland have a large extracellular cistern with secretions; duct-forming cells, by their efferent duct, transport the secretions up to the apical cell region where they are discharged into the gland lumen. On the contrary, the spermatheca, filled with sperm, has a quite simple epithelium, apparently not involved in secretory activity. The ultrastructure of the spermatheca is almost identical to that described in a closely related species Stictonectes optatus. Sc. halensis has a long spermathecal duct connecting the bursa copulatrix to the spermatheca-spermathecal gland complex. This duct has a thick outer layer of muscle cells. Through muscle contractions, sperm can be pushed forwarding up to the complex of the two organs. A short fertilization duct allows sperm to reach the common oviduct where eggs will be fertilized. The different organization of the genital systems of Sc. halensis and S. optatus might be related to a different reproductive strategy of the two species.
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Dallai R, Mercati D, Fanciulli PP, Lupetti P. Fine structure of the female genital system of diving beetle Stictonectes optatus (Seidlitz, 1887) (Dytiscidae-Hydroporinae) and evidence of mating plug formation. Arthropod Struct Dev 2023; 73:101250. [PMID: 36933292 DOI: 10.1016/j.asd.2023.101250] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/25/2022] [Revised: 02/13/2023] [Accepted: 02/20/2023] [Indexed: 06/18/2023]
Abstract
The general organization of the female genital system of the diving beetle Stictonectes optatus was studied, clarifying the complex structure of the spermatheca and spermathecal gland. The two structures adhere closely to each other, sharing a small area of their cuticular epithelium. A long duct connects the bursa copulatrix to the spermatheca, where the sperm are stored. The sperm reach the common oviduct, where egg fertilization occurs, via a fertilization duct. The spermathecal gland cells have extracellular cisterns where secretions are stored. Thin ducts composed of duct-forming cells transport these secretions to the apical gland region and into the spermathecal lumen. Soon after mating, the bursa copulatrix is almost completely occupied by a plug secreted by the male accessory glands. The secretions of the bursa epithelium seem to contribute to plug formation. Later this plug becomes large and spherical, obstructing the bursa copulatrix.
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Affiliation(s)
- Romano Dallai
- Department of Life Sciences, University of Siena, Italy.
| | - David Mercati
- Department of Life Sciences, University of Siena, Italy.
| | | | - Pietro Lupetti
- Department of Life Sciences, University of Siena, Italy.
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Gomez RA, Mercati D, Lupetti P, Fanciulli PP, Dallai R. Morphology of male and female reproductive systems in the ground beetle Apotomus and the peculiar sperm ultrastructure of A. rufus (P. Rossi, 1790) (Coleoptera, Carabidae). Arthropod Struct Dev 2023; 72:101217. [PMID: 36327949 DOI: 10.1016/j.asd.2022.101217] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/30/2022] [Revised: 10/12/2022] [Accepted: 10/13/2022] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
Relatively few studies have focused on evolutionary losses of sexually selected male traits. We use light and electron microscopy to study the male and female reproductive anatomy of Apotomus ground beetles (Coleoptera, Carabidae), a lineage that we reconstruct as likely having lost sperm conjugation, a putative sexually selected trait. We pay particular attention to the structure of the testes and spermatheca. Both of these organs share a strikingly similar shape-consisting of long blind canals arranged into several concentric overlapping rings measuring approximately 18 mm and 19.5 mm in total length, respectively. The similarity of these structures suggests a positive evolutionary correlation between female and male genital organs. Males are characterized by unifollicular testes with numerous germ cysts, which contain 64 sperm cells each, and we record a novel occurrence of sperm cyst "looping", a spermatogenic innovation previously only known from some fruit fly and Tenebrionid beetle sperm. The sperm are very long (about 2.7 mm) and include an extraordinarily long helicoidal acrosome, a short nucleus, and a long flagellum. These findings confirm the structural peculiarity of sperm, testis, and female reproductive tract (FRT) of Apotomus species relative to other ground beetles, which could possibly be the result of shifts in sexual selection.
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Affiliation(s)
- R Antonio Gomez
- Center for Reproductive Evolution, Department of Biology, Syracuse University, Syracuse, NY, USA.
| | - David Mercati
- Department of Life Sciences, University of Siena, Italy.
| | - Pietro Lupetti
- Department of Life Sciences, University of Siena, Italy.
| | | | - Romano Dallai
- Department of Life Sciences, University of Siena, Italy.
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Dias G, Mercati D, Rezende PH, Lino-Neto J, Fanciulli PP, Lupetti P, Dallai R. New Findings on the Sperm Structure of Tenebrionoidea (Insecta, Coleoptera). Insects 2022; 13:insects13050485. [PMID: 35621819 PMCID: PMC9143785 DOI: 10.3390/insects13050485] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/14/2022] [Revised: 05/10/2022] [Accepted: 05/14/2022] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
Simple Summary Tenebrionoidea, with more than 30,000 described species and 30 currently recognized families, is a superfamily of difficult taxonomy. The aim of this work is to support the basal position of the Mordellidae among the beetle tenebrionoids. They have a low number of sperm cells per cysts, contrary to the more derived families of the group; moreover, their sperm are not distributed in two bundles at the opposite poles of the cysts, as occurs in the higher taxa, but their sperm flagella form a loop in the median region so that sperm nuclei are positioned close to the tail end. The sperm structure of two members of higher families, Oedemeridae and Tenebrionidae, are investigated to confirm the data mentioned above. The sperm looping, which also occurs in the closely related Ripiphoridae, could be the consequence of the growth asynchrony between the cyst size and the sperm length. The Mordellidae sperm are characterized, not by small mitochondrial derivatives and accessory bodies, but by a peculiar stiff and immotile thin flagellar posterior region provided with only accessory tubules. Abstract The sperm ultrastructure of a few representative species of Tenebrionoidea was studied. Two species belong to the Mordellidae (Mordellistena brevicauda and Hoshihananomia sp.), one species to Oedemeridae (Oedemera nobilis), and one species to Tenebrionidae (Accanthopus velikensis). It is confirmed that Mordellidae are characterized by the lowest number of spermatozoa per cyst (up to 64), a number shared with Ripiphoridae. In contrast, in the two other families, up to 512 spermatozoa per cyst are observed, the same number present, for example, in Tenebrionidae. Also, as in the other more derived families of tenebrionoids studied so far, during spermatogenesis in O. nobilis and A. velikensis, sperm nuclei are regularly distributed in two sets at opposite poles of the cysts. On the contrary, the Mordellidae species do not exhibit this peculiar process. However, during spermiogenesis, the bundles of sperm bend to form a loop in their median region, quite evident in the Hoshihananomia sp., characterized by long sperm. This process, which also occurs in Ripiphoridae, probably enables individuals to produce long sperm without an increase in testicular volume. The sperm looping could be a consequence of the asynchronous growth between cyst size and sperm length. The sperm ultrastructure of the Mordellidae species reveals that they can be differentiated from other Tenebrionoidea based on the shape and size of some sperm components, such as the accessory bodies and the mitochondrial derivatives. They also show an uncommon stiff and immotile posterior flagellar region provided with only accessory tubules. These results contribute to a better knowledge of the phylogenetic relationship of the basal families of the large group of Tenebrionoidea.
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Affiliation(s)
- Glenda Dias
- Departamento de Biologia Geral, Universidade Federal de Viçosa, Viçosa 36570-900, Minas Gerais, Brazil; (G.D.); (J.L.-N.)
| | - David Mercati
- Dipartimento Scienze della Vita, Università degli Studi di Siena, Via Aldo Moro 2, 53100 Siena, Italy; (D.M.); (P.P.F.); (P.L.)
| | - Paulo Henrique Rezende
- Departamento de Entomologia, Universidade Federal de Viçosa, Viçosa 36570-900, Minas Gerais, Brazil;
| | - José Lino-Neto
- Departamento de Biologia Geral, Universidade Federal de Viçosa, Viçosa 36570-900, Minas Gerais, Brazil; (G.D.); (J.L.-N.)
| | - Pietro Paolo Fanciulli
- Dipartimento Scienze della Vita, Università degli Studi di Siena, Via Aldo Moro 2, 53100 Siena, Italy; (D.M.); (P.P.F.); (P.L.)
| | - Pietro Lupetti
- Dipartimento Scienze della Vita, Università degli Studi di Siena, Via Aldo Moro 2, 53100 Siena, Italy; (D.M.); (P.P.F.); (P.L.)
| | - Romano Dallai
- Dipartimento Scienze della Vita, Università degli Studi di Siena, Via Aldo Moro 2, 53100 Siena, Italy; (D.M.); (P.P.F.); (P.L.)
- Correspondence:
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Dias G, Lino-Neto J, Mercati D, Fanciulli PP, Lupetti P, Dallai R. The sperm ultrastructure of members of basal Tenebrionoidea (Coleoptera). Arthropod Struct Dev 2022; 66:101129. [PMID: 34826655 DOI: 10.1016/j.asd.2021.101129] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/03/2021] [Revised: 10/18/2021] [Accepted: 10/21/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
The sperm ultrastructure of some beetles of Tenebrionoidea was studied with particular attention to those of the Ripiphoridae, Mordellidae, and Meloidae. These three groups are often thought to form a clade, which is the sister group of the remaining Tenebrionoidea. The testes of the two former families have thinner but longer spermatic cysts containing fewer and longer sperm. Within each cyst all sperm cells have the same orientation, but cross sections showed that the orientation of the axonemes alternate between adjacent cysts, possibly due to the cysts bending on themselves. In both families the sperm has a bilayered acrosome and the flagellum, which shows mitochondrial derivatives starting laterally to the nuclear base, has a typical 9 + 9+2 axoneme with accessory tubules provided with 16 protofilaments in their wall, and well-structured triangular shaped accessory bodies. In Mordellistena sp (Mordellidae) sperm, both mitochondrial derivatives and accessory bodies are somewhat asymmetrical. Moreover, the flagellum shows a very thin and long tail end provided with only accessory tubules. Meloidae species have testes with thicker sperm cysts containing numerous shorter sperm. Within the individual cysts the sperm flagella exhibit an alternating orientation of their axonemes as consequence of a peculiar spermatogenetic process. The flagellar structure is similar to that of the above-mentioned species, but the accessory bodies are not well defined and constituted by fuzzy material. In Mylabris hieracii (Meloidae) sperm, the acrosome is flat with a conspicuous perforatorium and its nucleus has a peculiar quadrangular section. Berberomeloe majalis sperm has a large acrosome with an unusual pentagonal perforatorium. The centriolar structure of Mylabris variabilis shows a complex of dense radial links connecting the microtubular structures to the plasma membrane. These results suggest that Ripiphoridae have a closer relationship with Mordellidae than with Meloidae. These findings are in agreement with results obtained with molecular data.
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Affiliation(s)
- Glenda Dias
- Departamento de Biologia Geral, Universidade Federal de Viçosa, 36570-900, Viçosa, Minas Gerais, Brazil.
| | - José Lino-Neto
- Departamento de Biologia Geral, Universidade Federal de Viçosa, 36570-900, Viçosa, Minas Gerais, Brazil.
| | - David Mercati
- Dipartimento Scienze Della Vita, Università Degli Studi di Siena, Via Aldo Moro 2, 53100, Siena, Italy.
| | - Pietro Paolo Fanciulli
- Dipartimento Scienze Della Vita, Università Degli Studi di Siena, Via Aldo Moro 2, 53100, Siena, Italy.
| | - Pietro Lupetti
- Dipartimento Scienze Della Vita, Università Degli Studi di Siena, Via Aldo Moro 2, 53100, Siena, Italy.
| | - Romano Dallai
- Dipartimento Scienze Della Vita, Università Degli Studi di Siena, Via Aldo Moro 2, 53100, Siena, Italy.
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Dallai R, Mercati D, Cucini C, Fanciulli PP, Lupetti P. The sperm structure and the spermiogenesis of the drugstore beetle Stegobium paniceum (L.) (Coleoptera-Ptinidae-Anobinae). ZOOL ANZ 2021. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jcz.2021.09.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
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Syed ZA, Dallai R, Nasirzadeh N, Brill JA, O’Grady PM, Cong S, Leef EM, Rice S, Asif A, Nguyen S, Hansen MM, Dorus S, Pitnick S. Sperm Cyst "Looping": A Developmental Novelty Enabling Extreme Male Ornament Evolution. Cells 2021; 10:cells10102762. [PMID: 34685746 PMCID: PMC8534658 DOI: 10.3390/cells10102762] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/29/2021] [Revised: 10/12/2021] [Accepted: 10/12/2021] [Indexed: 01/20/2023] Open
Abstract
Postcopulatory sexual selection is credited as a principal force behind the rapid evolution of reproductive characters, often generating a pattern of correlated evolution between interacting, sex-specific traits. Because the female reproductive tract is the selective environment for sperm, one taxonomically widespread example of this pattern is the co-diversification of sperm length and female sperm-storage organ dimension. In Drosophila, having testes that are longer than the sperm they manufacture was believed to be a universal physiological constraint. Further, the energetic and time costs of developing long testes have been credited with underlying the steep evolutionary allometry of sperm length and constraining sperm length evolution in Drosophila. Here, we report on the discovery of a novel spermatogenic mechanism—sperm cyst looping—that enables males to produce relatively long sperm in short testis. This phenomenon (restricted to members of the saltans and willistoni species groups) begins early during spermatogenesis and is potentially attributable to heterochronic evolution, resulting in growth asynchrony between spermatid tails and the surrounding spermatid and somatic cyst cell membranes. By removing the allometric constraint on sperm length, this evolutionary innovation appears to have enabled males to evolve extremely long sperm for their body mass while evading delays in reproductive maturation time. On the other hand, sperm cyst looping was found to exact a cost by requiring greater total energetic investment in testes and a pronounced reduction in male lifespan. We speculate on the ecological selection pressures underlying the evolutionary origin and maintenance of this unique adaptation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zeeshan A. Syed
- Center for Reproductive Evolution, Department of Biology, Syracuse University, Syracuse, NY 13244, USA; (S.C.); (E.M.L.); (S.R.); (A.A.); (S.N.); (M.M.H.); (S.D.)
- Correspondence: (Z.A.S.); (S.P.)
| | - Romano Dallai
- Department of Life Sciences, University of Siena, via Aldo Moro 2, 53100 Siena, Italy;
| | - Negar Nasirzadeh
- Cell Biology Program, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, ON M5G 0A4, Canada; (N.N.); (J.A.B.)
- Department of Molecular Genetics, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON M5S 1A8, Canada
| | - Julie A. Brill
- Cell Biology Program, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, ON M5G 0A4, Canada; (N.N.); (J.A.B.)
- Department of Molecular Genetics, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON M5S 1A8, Canada
| | | | - Siyuan Cong
- Center for Reproductive Evolution, Department of Biology, Syracuse University, Syracuse, NY 13244, USA; (S.C.); (E.M.L.); (S.R.); (A.A.); (S.N.); (M.M.H.); (S.D.)
| | - Ethan M. Leef
- Center for Reproductive Evolution, Department of Biology, Syracuse University, Syracuse, NY 13244, USA; (S.C.); (E.M.L.); (S.R.); (A.A.); (S.N.); (M.M.H.); (S.D.)
| | - Sarah Rice
- Center for Reproductive Evolution, Department of Biology, Syracuse University, Syracuse, NY 13244, USA; (S.C.); (E.M.L.); (S.R.); (A.A.); (S.N.); (M.M.H.); (S.D.)
| | - Amaar Asif
- Center for Reproductive Evolution, Department of Biology, Syracuse University, Syracuse, NY 13244, USA; (S.C.); (E.M.L.); (S.R.); (A.A.); (S.N.); (M.M.H.); (S.D.)
| | - Stephanie Nguyen
- Center for Reproductive Evolution, Department of Biology, Syracuse University, Syracuse, NY 13244, USA; (S.C.); (E.M.L.); (S.R.); (A.A.); (S.N.); (M.M.H.); (S.D.)
| | - Matthew M. Hansen
- Center for Reproductive Evolution, Department of Biology, Syracuse University, Syracuse, NY 13244, USA; (S.C.); (E.M.L.); (S.R.); (A.A.); (S.N.); (M.M.H.); (S.D.)
| | - Steve Dorus
- Center for Reproductive Evolution, Department of Biology, Syracuse University, Syracuse, NY 13244, USA; (S.C.); (E.M.L.); (S.R.); (A.A.); (S.N.); (M.M.H.); (S.D.)
| | - Scott Pitnick
- Center for Reproductive Evolution, Department of Biology, Syracuse University, Syracuse, NY 13244, USA; (S.C.); (E.M.L.); (S.R.); (A.A.); (S.N.); (M.M.H.); (S.D.)
- Correspondence: (Z.A.S.); (S.P.)
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Dias G, Lino-Neto J, Mercati D, Fanciulli PP, Lupetti P, Dallai R. The sperm ultrastructure of Pytho depressus (Linnaeus, 1767) (Coleoptera, Pythidae). Micron 2021; 148:103111. [PMID: 34252732 DOI: 10.1016/j.micron.2021.103111] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/19/2021] [Revised: 07/05/2021] [Accepted: 07/05/2021] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
Abstract
The sperm ultrastructure of Pytho depressus (Pythidae) is described in this study. The sperm are short cells, about 85-90 μm long, with an acrosome consisting of three layers, a cylindrical nucleus, which at its base has the initial region of two mitochondrial derivatives. The flagellum has two well-developed triangular accessory bodies, and a 9 + 9+2 axonemal pattern with accessory tubules provided with 16 protofilaments in their wall. The structure and shape of the accessory bodies are diagnostic characters within the superfamily. The sperm morphology of P. depressus can be easily distinguished from those of Ripiphoridae, Meloidae and Tenebrionidae. The P. depressus sperm are organized in cysts as in other species of the group but the sperm are not well aligned and show an antiparallel orientation, a feature also observed in other tenebrionids. The phylogenetic implications of the observed sperm features are discussed in the context of comparative sperm ultrastructure of other insect species.
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Affiliation(s)
- Glenda Dias
- Departamento de Biologia Geral, Universidade Federal de Viçosa, 36570-900, Viçosa, Minas Gerais, Brazil.
| | - José Lino-Neto
- Departamento de Biologia Geral, Universidade Federal de Viçosa, 36570-900, Viçosa, Minas Gerais, Brazil.
| | - David Mercati
- Dipartimento Scienze della Vita, Università degli Studi di Siena, Via Aldo Moro 2, 53100, Siena, Italy.
| | - Pietro Paolo Fanciulli
- Dipartimento Scienze della Vita, Università degli Studi di Siena, Via Aldo Moro 2, 53100, Siena, Italy.
| | - Pietro Lupetti
- Dipartimento Scienze della Vita, Università degli Studi di Siena, Via Aldo Moro 2, 53100, Siena, Italy.
| | - Romano Dallai
- Dipartimento Scienze della Vita, Università degli Studi di Siena, Via Aldo Moro 2, 53100, Siena, Italy.
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Beani L, Dallai R, Cappa F, Manfredini F, Zaccaroni M, Lorenzi MC, Mercati D. A Stresipteran parasite extends the lifespan of workers in a social wasp. Sci Rep 2021; 11:7235. [PMID: 33790321 PMCID: PMC8012566 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-021-86182-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/15/2020] [Accepted: 03/09/2021] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
In social wasps, female lifespan depends on caste and colony tasks: workers usually live a few weeks while queens as long as 1 year. Polistes dominula paper wasps infected by the strepsipteran parasite Xenos vesparum avoid all colony tasks, cluster on vegetation where parasite dispersal and mating occur, hibernate and infect the next generation of wasp larvae. Here, we compared the survival rate of infected and uninfected wasp workers. Workers' survival was significantly affected by parasite sex: two-third of workers parasitized by a X. vesparum female survived and overwintered like future queens did, while all workers infected by a X. vesparum male died during the summer, like uninfected workers that we used as controls. We measured a set of host and parasite traits possibly associated with the observed lifespan extension. Infected overwintering workers had larger fat bodies than infected workers that died in the summer, but they had similar body size and ovary development. Furthermore, we recorded a positive correlation between parasite and host body sizes. We hypothesize that the manipulation of worker's longevity operated by X. vesparum enhances parasite's fitness: if workers infected by a female overwinter, they can spread infective parasite larvae in the spring like parasitized gynes do, thus contributing to parasite transmission.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laura Beani
- Dipartimento di Biologia, Università di Firenze, Via Madonna del piano 6, 50019, Sesto Fiorentino, Florence, Italy.
| | - Romano Dallai
- Dipartimento di Scienze Della Vita, Università di Siena, Via Aldo Moro, 53100, Siena, Italy
| | - Federico Cappa
- Dipartimento di Biologia, Università di Firenze, Via Madonna del piano 6, 50019, Sesto Fiorentino, Florence, Italy
| | - Fabio Manfredini
- School of Biological Sciences, University of Aberdeen, Aberdeen, UK
| | - Marco Zaccaroni
- Dipartimento di Biologia, Università di Firenze, Via Madonna del piano 6, 50019, Sesto Fiorentino, Florence, Italy
| | - Maria Cristina Lorenzi
- LEEC, Laboratoire d'Éthologie Expérimentale et Comparée, Université Sorbonne Paris Nord, Villetaneuse, France
| | - David Mercati
- Dipartimento di Scienze Della Vita, Università di Siena, Via Aldo Moro, 53100, Siena, Italy
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Dallai R, Fanciulli PP, Lupetti P, Mercati D. The ultrastructure of sperm and female sperm storage organs in the water strider Gerris lacustris L. (Heteroptera) and a possible example of genital coevolution. Arthropod Struct Dev 2021; 61:101043. [PMID: 33689939 DOI: 10.1016/j.asd.2021.101043] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/22/2020] [Revised: 02/08/2021] [Accepted: 02/09/2021] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
The fine structural organization of the male and the female inner reproductive apparatuses of the water-strider Gerris lacustris was studied. The sperm of the species shows a long helicoidal acrosome provided with longitudinal tubules, and a short nucleus. The flagellum is characterized by crescent mitochondrial derivatives and a 9 + 9 + 2 axoneme, as occurs in all Heteroptera. The female reproductive apparatus is characterized by an extremely long spermathecal duct, filled with sperm, which plays the role of the main sperm storage organ. The duct has a thin epithelium surrounded by a complex of secretory and duct-forming cells. The spermathecal duct flows into the gynatrial sac. This region, together with the fertilization chamber, exhibits a simple epithelium with deep apical plasma membrane invaginations, and it does not show conspicuous secretions. The basal cell region shows plasma membrane infoldings forming thin cytoplasmic bands hosting mitochondria and large intercellular spaces. This organization is typical of epithelia active in fluid reabsorption. Two lateral large gynatrial glands open into the gynatrial sac. Such glands also exhibit secretory and duct forming cells. The same structure of these glands is also present along the proximal region of the fecundation canal. The duct forming cells of these regions have very wide ducts with peculiar cuticular finger-like structures at their opening into the gland duct lumen. The results of the present study suggest the occurrence of a coevolution between the sperm and the spermathecal duct lengths.
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Affiliation(s)
- Romano Dallai
- Department of Life Sciences, University of Siena, Italy.
| | | | - Pietro Lupetti
- Department of Life Sciences, University of Siena, Italy.
| | - David Mercati
- Department of Life Sciences, University of Siena, Italy.
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18
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Dallai R, Fanciulli PP, Mercati D, Lupetti P. Coevolution between female seminal receptacle and sperm morphology in the semiaquatic measurer bug Hydrometra stagnorum L. (Heteroptera, Hydrometridae). Arthropod Struct Dev 2021; 60:101001. [PMID: 33120187 DOI: 10.1016/j.asd.2020.101001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/04/2020] [Revised: 10/01/2020] [Accepted: 10/07/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
The coevolution between sperm length and size of the female sperm-storage organs is described for the first time within Heteroptera. The long sperm of the measurer bug Hydrometra stagnorum is characterized by the unusually long acrosome with its anterior region helically arranged, and by a very short nucleus. The sperm flagellum has a 9 + 9+2 conventional axoneme and crystallized mitochondrial derivatives. The female spermatheca consists of an extraordinarily long spermathecal duct ending with an apical spermathecal bulb into which flows also the secretions of a relatively short spermathecal gland. Both spermathecal duct and gland have a thin epithelium lined by a cuticle, beneath which a complex of secretory and duct forming cells are present. The secretions of these two structures flow into the apical spermathecal bulb. A thick layer of muscle fibers surrounds the epithelium. These results confirm the opinion that the dimensions of the female reproductive sperm-storage organs are able to drive the sperm morphology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Romano Dallai
- Department of Life Sciences, University of Siena, Siena, Italy.
| | | | - David Mercati
- Department of Life Sciences, University of Siena, Siena, Italy.
| | - Pietro Lupetti
- Department of Life Sciences, University of Siena, Siena, Italy.
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19
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Dias G, Lino-Neto J, Dallai R, Mercati D, Lupetti P. The sperm ultrastructure of the click beetles (Elateridae) and related groups (Buprestidae and Lampyridae). Arthropod Struct Dev 2020; 59:100978. [PMID: 32818810 DOI: 10.1016/j.asd.2020.100978] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/04/2020] [Revised: 07/21/2020] [Accepted: 07/22/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
In the present study, we describe the sperm morphology of 11 species of Elateriformia (9 elaterids, 1 lampyrid and 1 buprestid) using transmission electron microscopy. All species exhibited sperm that is not usually observed in insects in general. The most highlighted features are the displacement of the nucleus running parallel to the flagellar components, hitherto observed only in coccinellid and carabid beetles, and the presence of thin and dense structures along the nucleus, probably derived from the centriole adjunct, a feature that is so far exclusive to these insects. The other structures are a typical axoneme for insects with 9 + 9 + 2 microtubules, in a position diametrically opposite relative to the nucleus, two slender, symmetrical mitochondrial derivatives and a pair of discrete accessory bodies. This arrangement provides a bilaterally symmetrical flagellum, which favourably influences sperm hydrodynamics, as will be discussed. The occurrence of this unusual structural arrangement in the sperm of species from superfamilies that are phylogenetically as distant as Elateroidea and Buprestoidea support the monophyly of the infraorder Elateriformia, as proposed by some previous molecular studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Glenda Dias
- Departamento de Biologia Geral, Universidade Federal de Viçosa, 36570-900, Viçosa Minas Gerais, Brazil.
| | - José Lino-Neto
- Departamento de Biologia Geral, Universidade Federal de Viçosa, 36570-900, Viçosa Minas Gerais, Brazil.
| | - Romano Dallai
- Dipartimento Scienze della Vita, Università degli Studi di Siena, Via Aldo Moro 2, 53100, Siena, Italy.
| | - David Mercati
- Dipartimento Scienze della Vita, Università degli Studi di Siena, Via Aldo Moro 2, 53100, Siena, Italy.
| | - Pietro Lupetti
- Dipartimento Scienze della Vita, Università degli Studi di Siena, Via Aldo Moro 2, 53100, Siena, Italy.
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Paoli F, Mercati D, Marianelli L, Roversi PF, Lupetti P, Dallai R. Sperm ultrastructure and spermatogenesis in the Japanese beetle Popillia japonica (Coleoptera, Scarabaeidae). Micron 2020; 135:102879. [PMID: 32416441 DOI: 10.1016/j.micron.2020.102879] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/06/2020] [Revised: 04/27/2020] [Accepted: 04/27/2020] [Indexed: 10/24/2022]
Abstract
Popillia japonica is an invasive scarab beetle native to Japan that in 1916 invaded New Jersey in USA. From that moment onwards, the insect has spread invading several US states, Canada, the Azores, Italy and, recently, Switzerland. It is a severe agricultural pest included in the EU priority pest list being able to feed on more than 300 plant species and having an important biotic potential. The general morphology of the reproductive apparatus shows paired testes, each of them having six testicular lobes grouped in threes. From the ventral part of each testicular lobe, each containing about 20 follicles, an efferent vessel originates that fuses with the other efferent vessels to form the deferent duct. A pair of long tubular accessory glands is present. The deferent ducts and accessory glands fuse together into an ejaculatory duct before entering the aedeagus. The sperm is a typical pterygote sperm, 110 μm long, composed of a head and a tail. In the head a three-layered acrosome of about 6 μm in length and a nucleus of about 18 μm long are present. During sperm maturation two C-shaped structures appear in the cytoplasm from the opposite sides of the nucleus that then disappear in late spermatids. In the tail a typical 9 + 9 + 2 flagellar axoneme and two mitochondrial derivatives are present. Moreover, in the head-tail transition region the centriolar adjunct forms a sheath from which three elongated accessory bodies originate. Two of these accessory bodies are placed alongside the axoneme, whilst the third one is placed beneath the mitochondrial derivatives. Mature sperm are grouped in cysts containing about 256 sperm cells. A morphological comparison with related species is provided.
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Affiliation(s)
- F Paoli
- CREA Research Centre for Plant Protection and Certification, via di Lanciola 12/a, 50125 Firenze, Italy.
| | - D Mercati
- Department of Life Sciences, University of Siena, via Aldo Moro 2, 53100 Siena, Italy.
| | - L Marianelli
- CREA Research Centre for Plant Protection and Certification, via di Lanciola 12/a, 50125 Firenze, Italy.
| | - P F Roversi
- CREA Research Centre for Plant Protection and Certification, via di Lanciola 12/a, 50125 Firenze, Italy.
| | - P Lupetti
- Department of Life Sciences, University of Siena, via Aldo Moro 2, 53100 Siena, Italy.
| | - R Dallai
- Department of Life Sciences, University of Siena, via Aldo Moro 2, 53100 Siena, Italy.
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Riparbelli MG, Persico V, Dallai R, Callaini G. Centrioles and Ciliary Structures during Male Gametogenesis in Hexapoda: Discovery of New Models. Cells 2020; 9:cells9030744. [PMID: 32197383 PMCID: PMC7140630 DOI: 10.3390/cells9030744] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/10/2020] [Revised: 03/08/2020] [Accepted: 03/10/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Centrioles are-widely conserved barrel-shaped organelles present in most organisms. They are indirectly involved in the organization of the cytoplasmic microtubules both in interphase and during the cell division by recruiting the molecules needed for microtubule nucleation. Moreover, the centrioles are required to assemble cilia and flagella by the direct elongation of their microtubule wall. Due to the importance of the cytoplasmic microtubules in several aspects of the cell life, any defect in centriole structure can lead to cell abnormalities that in humans may result in significant diseases. Many aspects of the centriole dynamics and function have been clarified in the last years, but little attention has been paid to the exceptions in centriole structure that occasionally appeared within the animal kingdom. Here, we focused our attention on non-canonical aspects of centriole architecture within the Hexapoda. The Hexapoda is one of the major animal groups and represents a good laboratory in which to examine the evolution and the organization of the centrioles. Although these findings represent obvious exceptions to the established rules of centriole organization, they may contribute to advance our understanding of the formation and the function of these organelles.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria Giovanna Riparbelli
- Department of Life Sciences, University of Siena, Via Aldo Moro 2, 53100 Siena, Italy; (M.G.R.); (V.P.); (R.D.)
| | - Veronica Persico
- Department of Life Sciences, University of Siena, Via Aldo Moro 2, 53100 Siena, Italy; (M.G.R.); (V.P.); (R.D.)
| | - Romano Dallai
- Department of Life Sciences, University of Siena, Via Aldo Moro 2, 53100 Siena, Italy; (M.G.R.); (V.P.); (R.D.)
| | - Giuliano Callaini
- Department of Life Sciences, University of Siena, Via Aldo Moro 2, 53100 Siena, Italy; (M.G.R.); (V.P.); (R.D.)
- Department of Medical Biotechnologies, University of Siena, Via Aldo Moro 2, 53100 Siena, Italy
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +39-57-723-4475
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Dias G, Lino-Neto J, Dallai R, Mercati D, Lupetti P. Sperm ultrastructure of three species of ladybirds (Coleoptera, Coccinellidae). Arthropod Struct Dev 2020; 55:100919. [PMID: 32114289 DOI: 10.1016/j.asd.2020.100919] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/17/2020] [Revised: 02/06/2020] [Accepted: 02/07/2020] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
The sperm of three coccinellid species belonging to the subfamilies Chilocorinae, Coccinellinae and Epilachninae were studied under light and transmission electron microscopy. The basic sperm structure of these ladybirds is common to that of the other previously studied species, especially the acrosome in front of the basal body and not the nucleus, with this latter running parallel with the flagellar components. In the Chilocorinae Platynaspis luteorubra (Platynaspidini) the sperm are of the type 1, as in Scymnini and Coccinellini, since they exhibited a cylindrical basal body with 9 + 0 and then 9 + 2, microtubules continuing further in an initial flagellar portion with the only axoneme devoid of accessory structures. The sperm exhibits a thin nucleus and mitochondrial derivatives. Such uniformity of sperm ultrastructure could be indicative of the occurrence of a close relationship between Platynaspidini and Scymnini as also proposed in the previous studies. Conversely, they differ markedly from the sperm of type 3 observed in the Chilocorini Exochomus quadripustulatus. In the Coccinellini Propylea quatuordecimpunctata the sperm are also of the type 1, but they can be easily differentiated from those of the other Coccinellinae studied so far, because of their very short acrosome without the posterior extension, the relatively thicker mitochondrial derivatives and the cylindrical nucleus. Epilachna clandestina sperm resemble those of E. quadripustulatus but differ from them, because they exhibit an elliptical nucleus which is anteriorly very thin, and the asymmetrical mitochondrial derivatives in the anterior extremity, with the greater one starting at the same level of the basal body, rather than at the nucleus level, as it occurs in E. quadripustulatus. Because of the differences observed in the sperm ultrastructure we propose a new sperm type (Type 4) for E. clandestina. This study on ladybird spermatozoon ultrastructure clearly indicates that the current classifications of coccinellids do not reflect the natural history of this well-known insect family.
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Affiliation(s)
- Glenda Dias
- Departamento de Biologia Geral, Universidade Federal de Viçosa, 36570-900, Viçosa, Minas Gerais, Brazil.
| | - Josè Lino-Neto
- Departamento de Biologia Geral, Universidade Federal de Viçosa, 36570-900, Viçosa, Minas Gerais, Brazil.
| | - Romano Dallai
- Dipartimento Scienze della Vita, Università degli Studi di Siena, Via Aldo Moro 2, 53100, Siena, Italy.
| | - David Mercati
- Dipartimento Scienze della Vita, Università degli Studi di Siena, Via Aldo Moro 2, 53100, Siena, Italy.
| | - Pietro Lupetti
- Dipartimento Scienze della Vita, Università degli Studi di Siena, Via Aldo Moro 2, 53100, Siena, Italy.
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Dallai R, Mercati D, Fanciulli PP, Petrioli A, Lupetti P. New findings on the sperm ultrastructure of Carabidae (Insecta, Coleoptera). Arthropod Struct Dev 2020; 54:100912. [PMID: 31991324 DOI: 10.1016/j.asd.2019.100912] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/11/2019] [Revised: 12/17/2019] [Accepted: 12/18/2019] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
The sperm structure of several species belonging to different tribes of the large Carabidae family is described. Some species of Nebriinae, such as Nebria brevicollis and Notiophilus biguttatus, have free conventional insect sperm. Their sperm type can be regarded as the ancestral model for Carabidae. All the other species examined, either with isolated sperm such as Calomera nemoralis, Scarites sp., Duvalius andreinii and Anillus florentinus or with spermatozeugmata and sperm associated to spermatostyles such as Typhloreicheia usslaubi, Brachinus italicus, Carabus convexus, Calathus fuscipes, Calathus montivagus, and Paraphorus mendax, showed sperm with long nucleus and a parallel axoneme running the length of the tail starting from the apical bell-like acrosome. C. nemoralis, like Cicindela campestris previously studied, has a sperm structure similar to that of several other Carabidae, confirming their correct assignment to the family. C. convexus has the same sperm structure as previously studied C. preslii and C. interstitialis, indicating that the spermatozeugmata of the group consist only of an apical cap in which the anterior sperm regions are embedded. Unlike other Carabidae with spermatozeugmata, Carabini have the typical sperm organization with acrosome, nucleus and flagellum in a regular sequence. A. florentinus, (Trechinae) shows major differences, such as the absence of an acrosome and an extremely long nucleus that reaches the end of the tail in close association with the axoneme. T. usslaubi (Scaritinae) has slender spermatozeugmata with orderly quartets of sperm. The posterior region of the sperm tail is also unusual, showing a perfect circular section and a plasma membrane reinforced by a dense underlying layer. The present observations confirm that spermatozeugmata, can vary in shape and size among different species of the Carabidae. Such diversity may be the result of the male reproductive strategy, different in each species, that enhances the efficiency of sperm transfer to the female.
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Affiliation(s)
- Romano Dallai
- Department of Life Sciences, University of Siena, Via A. Moro 2, 53100, Siena, Italy.
| | - David Mercati
- Department of Life Sciences, University of Siena, Via A. Moro 2, 53100, Siena, Italy.
| | | | - Andrea Petrioli
- Department of Life Sciences, University of Siena, Via A. Moro 2, 53100, Siena, Italy.
| | - Pietro Lupetti
- Department of Life Sciences, University of Siena, Via A. Moro 2, 53100, Siena, Italy.
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Dallai R, Mercati D, Giglio A, Lupetti P. Sperm ultrastructure in several species of Carabidae beetles (Insecta, Adephaga) and their organization in spermatozeugmata. Arthropod Struct Dev 2019; 51:1-13. [PMID: 31163261 DOI: 10.1016/j.asd.2019.05.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/10/2019] [Revised: 05/21/2019] [Accepted: 05/31/2019] [Indexed: 06/09/2023]
Abstract
Sperm structure of seven species from different Carabidae tribes was studied. Carabus preslii and Carabus granulatus interstitialis form sperm bundles (spermatozeugmata) in which the heads of conventional insect sperm cells are embedded in the apical cap (spermatostyle), leaving the posterior flagella free. On the contrary, Pterostichus morio, Pterostichus melas, Pterostichus melanarius and Amara aulica form complex spermatozeugmata bearing conspicuous axial spermatostyles associated with lateral groups of sperm. Individual sperm cells are contained in chambers delimited by laminar extensions of the cortical region of the spermatostyle. Demetrias atricapillus shares the general spermatozeugma structure with the above species, but the anterior spermatostyle region has a different structure and posteriorly, the lateral groups of sperm are separated from the spermatostyle but remain connected to it by peduncles consisting of extensions of the cortical region of the spermatostyle. The sperm of the species examined in the study consist of a short, flat acrosomal cap and, with the exception of the Carabus species, show long nuclei which extend parallel to the axonemes, along the flagella. Two relatively small mitochondrial derivatives and two small accessory bodies flank the axoneme. These bodies become very thick in the posterior flagellar region of D. atricapillus. The study revealed different spermatozeugma models and different sperm organization in the Carabidae family.
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Affiliation(s)
- Romano Dallai
- Department of Life Sciences, University of Siena, Via A. Moro 2, 53100, Siena, Italy.
| | - David Mercati
- Department of Life Sciences, University of Siena, Via A. Moro 2, 53100, Siena, Italy.
| | - Anita Giglio
- Department of Biology, Ecology and Earth Sciences, Di.B.E.S.T., University of Calabria, Via P. Bucci, Cubo 4B, 87036, Rende, Italy.
| | - Pietro Lupetti
- Department of Life Sciences, University of Siena, Via A. Moro 2, 53100, Siena, Italy.
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Dallai R, Mercati D, Lino-Neto J, Dias G, Folly C, Lupetti P. The peculiar structure of the flagellar axoneme in Coccinellidae (Insecta-Coleoptera). Arthropod Struct Dev 2019; 49:50-61. [PMID: 30445115 DOI: 10.1016/j.asd.2018.11.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/01/2018] [Revised: 11/06/2018] [Accepted: 11/09/2018] [Indexed: 06/09/2023]
Abstract
The ultrastructure of the complex organisation of the spermatozoa in Harmonia axyridis and Adalia decempunctata (Coccinellidae) was studied, with particular emphasis on the origin of the anterior shifting of the axonemal structure, which becomes parallel to the nucleus in the sperm flagellum. In studying the spermiogenesis, a centriolar remodelling was observed with the long centriole, present in the early spermatids, transformed in the spermatozoa into an exceptionally long and narrowed basal body (about 0.16 × 3.5-4.0 μm long) displaying a 9 + 0 microtubular pattern in the proximal part and a 9 + 2 pattern in the following part; this is a characteristic not observed in any other pterygotan insect. The sperm also have a very long acrosome surrounded by a dense layer of material extending along the whole basal body. These two uncommon features were discussed in the light of sperm movement.
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Affiliation(s)
- Romano Dallai
- Dipartimento Scienze della Vita, Università degli Studi di Siena, Via Aldo Moro 2, 53100 Siena, Italy.
| | - David Mercati
- Dipartimento Scienze della Vita, Università degli Studi di Siena, Via Aldo Moro 2, 53100 Siena, Italy.
| | - José Lino-Neto
- Departamento de Biologia Geral, Universidade Federal de Viçosa, 36570-900 Viçosa, Minas Gerais, Brazil.
| | - Glenda Dias
- Departamento de Biologia Geral, Universidade Federal de Viçosa, 36570-900 Viçosa, Minas Gerais, Brazil.
| | - Camilla Folly
- Departamento de Biologia Geral, Universidade Federal de Viçosa, 36570-900 Viçosa, Minas Gerais, Brazil.
| | - Pietro Lupetti
- Dipartimento Scienze della Vita, Università degli Studi di Siena, Via Aldo Moro 2, 53100 Siena, Italy.
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Dallai R, Lino-Neto J, Dias G, Nere PHA, Mercati D, Lupetti P. Fine structure of the ladybird spermatozoa (Insecta, Coleoptera, Coccinellidae). Arthropod Struct Dev 2018; 47:286-298. [PMID: 29635037 DOI: 10.1016/j.asd.2018.04.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/22/2018] [Revised: 04/03/2018] [Accepted: 04/04/2018] [Indexed: 06/08/2023]
Abstract
The sperm structure of several ladybird species belonging to different subfamilies of Coccinellidae was studied. Three main sperm types were clearly recognized, and were characterized by differences in acrosomal length, the presence of a dense coat around the acrosome, the length of the basal body, the amount of the centriole adjunct material, and the diameter of the mitochondrial derivatives. However, the whole group shares a pattern of the posterior sperm region uncommon for insects, in which the axoneme and other flagellar components are running parallel with the nucleus. As a general conclusion, this study has revealed an inconsistency between the sperm structure and the systematics of the group, indicating that the generic concepts within the group do not reflect a natural classification, a statement also shared by molecular studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Romano Dallai
- Dipartimento Scienze della Vita, Università degli Studi di Siena, Via Aldo Moro 2, 53100 Siena, Italy.
| | - José Lino-Neto
- Departamento de Biologia Geral, Universidade Federal de Viçosa, 36570-900 Viçosa, Minas Gerais, Brazil.
| | - Glenda Dias
- Departamento de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal de Ouro Preto, Campus Universitário Morro do Cruzeiro, CEP 35400-000, Ouro Preto, MG, Brazil.
| | - Pedro H A Nere
- Departamento de Biologia Geral, Universidade Federal de Viçosa, 36570-900 Viçosa, Minas Gerais, Brazil.
| | - David Mercati
- Dipartimento Scienze della Vita, Università degli Studi di Siena, Via Aldo Moro 2, 53100 Siena, Italy.
| | - Pietro Lupetti
- Dipartimento Scienze della Vita, Università degli Studi di Siena, Via Aldo Moro 2, 53100 Siena, Italy.
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Dallai R, Mercati D, Lino-Neto J, Dias G, Lupetti P. Evidence of a procentriole during spermiogenesis in the coccinellid insect Adalia decempunctata (L): An ultrastructural study. Arthropod Struct Dev 2017; 46:815-823. [PMID: 29092794 DOI: 10.1016/j.asd.2017.10.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/03/2017] [Revised: 10/26/2017] [Accepted: 10/27/2017] [Indexed: 06/07/2023]
Abstract
We studied spermatogenesis and spermiogenesis in Adalia decempunctata (L), a beetle of the Coccinellidae family. The spermatocyte exhibits two centrioles which elongate to form a pair of primary cilia. A novel structure, appearing in cross sections as a dense droplet, is observed near the long centriole during spermiogenesis, and is soon accompanied by a procentriole (PCL). PCL structure consists of singlet microtubules, a central tubule and an incomplete cartwheel. The PCL persists until the end of spermiogenesis, when it vanishes together with the dense droplet. The sperm has an exceptionally long basal body and the nucleus is disposed parallel to the flagellar components, a peculiar trait shared by other species of the coccinellid group. The presence of a procentriole suggested by the use of antibodies is discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Romano Dallai
- Dipartimento Scienze della Vita, Università degli Studi di Siena, Via Aldo Moro 2, 53100, Siena, Italy.
| | - David Mercati
- Dipartimento Scienze della Vita, Università degli Studi di Siena, Via Aldo Moro 2, 53100, Siena, Italy.
| | - José Lino-Neto
- Departamento de Biologia Geral, Universidade Federal de Viçosa, 36570-900, Viçosa, Minas Gerais, Brazil.
| | - Glenda Dias
- Departamento de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal de Ouro Preto, Campus Universitário Morro do Cruzeiro, CEP, 35400-000, Ouro Preto, MG, Brazil.
| | - Pietro Lupetti
- Dipartimento Scienze della Vita, Università degli Studi di Siena, Via Aldo Moro 2, 53100, Siena, Italy.
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Dallai R, Mercati D, Gounari S, Paoli F, Lupetti P. Ultrastructure of spermiogenesis and spermatozoa in Marchalina hellenica (Gennadius) (Hemiptera: Sternorrhyncha, Marchalinidae). Arthropod Struct Dev 2017; 46:601-612. [PMID: 28347860 DOI: 10.1016/j.asd.2017.03.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/08/2017] [Revised: 03/10/2017] [Accepted: 03/16/2017] [Indexed: 06/06/2023]
Abstract
The spermiogenesis, the sperm structure and the sperm motility of Marchalina hellenica (Gennadius) were examined. In the early spermiogenesis a centriolar apparatus was identified, but this structure is not involved in the production of the sperm flagellum. As in other Coccoidea, the flagellar axoneme originates by the activity of the thickened tip of the numerous microtubules surrounding the nuclear anterior region close to the periphery of the cell. This region pushes against a narrow cytoplasmic layer, giving rise to a papilla. In this region a novel structure, consisting of a regular network of thin filaments, arranged orthogonally to the bundle of microtubules, is visible. The sperm flagellum consists of a series of about 260 microtubules, regularly arranged in rings around the axial nucleus. This latter extends in the middle part of the sperm length. As usual in scale insects, sperm form a bundle, which in M. hellenica is composed of 64 sperm cells, surrounded by somatic cyst cells. The sperm bundle has an helicoidal array, with a cap of dense material at its apex, lending the anterior and the posterior region of the sperm bundle with a different structural organization. This difference is responsible of the different speed gradient observed in the helical wave propagating along the sperm bundle.
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Affiliation(s)
- Romano Dallai
- Department of Life Science, University of Siena, Italy.
| | - David Mercati
- Department of Life Science, University of Siena, Italy.
| | - Sofia Gounari
- Institute of Mediterranean Forest Ecosystem, HAO DEMETER, Athens, Greece.
| | - Francesco Paoli
- Consiglio per la Ricerca in Agricoltura e l'analisi dell'economia agraria, Centro di Ricerca per l'Agrobiologia e la Pedologia (CREA-ABP), Firenze, Italy.
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Dallai R, Mercati D, Mashimo Y, Machida R, Beutel RG. The morphology and ultrastructure of salivary glands of Zoraptera (Insecta). Arthropod Struct Dev 2017; 46:508-517. [PMID: 28189833 DOI: 10.1016/j.asd.2017.02.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/10/2017] [Revised: 02/06/2017] [Accepted: 02/07/2017] [Indexed: 06/06/2023]
Abstract
The salivary glands of two species of Zoraptera, Zorotypus caudelli and Zorotypus hubbardi, were examined and documented mainly using transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The results obtained for males and females of the two species are compared and functional aspects related to ultrastructural features are discussed. The salivary glands are divided into two regions: the secretory cell region and the long efferent duct, the latter with its distal end opening in the salivarium below the hypopharyngeal base. The secretory region consists of a complex of secretory cells provided with microvillated cavities connected by short ectodermal ducts to large ones, which are connected with the long efferent duct. The secretory cell cytoplasm contains a large system of rough endoplasmic reticulum and Golgi apparatus producing numerous dense secretions. The cells of the efferent duct, characterized by reduced cytoplasm and the presence of long membrane infoldings associated with mitochondria, are possibly involved in fluid uptaking from the duct lumen.
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Affiliation(s)
- R Dallai
- Department of Life Sciences, Via A. Moro 2, University of Siena, I-53100, Siena, Italy.
| | - D Mercati
- Department of Life Sciences, Via A. Moro 2, University of Siena, I-53100, Siena, Italy.
| | - Y Mashimo
- Graduate School of Symbiotic Systems Science and Technology, Fukushima University, Kanayagawa 1, Fukushima, 960-1296, Japan.
| | - R Machida
- Sugadaira Montane Research Center, University of Tsukuba, Nagano, 386-2204, Japan.
| | - R G Beutel
- Institut für Spezielle Zoologie und Evolutionsbiologie, FSU Jena, Erbertstraße 1, 07743, Jena, Germany.
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Fanciulli PP, Mencarelli C, Mercati D, Dallai R, Lupetti P. The peculiar extra-acrosomal structure of the Collembola (Hexapoda) spermatozoa. Micron 2017; 101:114-122. [PMID: 28709083 DOI: 10.1016/j.micron.2017.06.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/31/2017] [Revised: 06/28/2017] [Accepted: 06/28/2017] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
The springtail Collembola are characterized by having rolled spermatozoa, with a long cylindrical extracellular structure adhering to the acrosome. This structure is produced by the secretory activity of the testes epithelial cells at almost the end of spermiogenesis. At the beginning of its formation, it is a thin extension with a helical wall and a dense axial region. Later the cylindrical structure shows an inner organization which is different in the several species examined: species of Entomobryidae contain material with a paracrystalline structure, whilst some of Symphypleona contain ovoid structures. The outer envelope of the extracellular structure consists of two overlapped layers orthogonally arranged, clearly identified by cryo-preparations. Immunoblot analysis and lectin stainings have indicated that the cylindrical structure has a glycoproteic composition. As the structure is no longer visible after the sperm transfer into the female spermatheca, it is suggested that it could contain enzymes able to activate the sperm unwinding process and possibly allowing the reacquisition of sperm motility.
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Affiliation(s)
- P P Fanciulli
- Department of Life Sciences, University of Siena, Via A. Moro 2, 53100 Siena, Italy.
| | - C Mencarelli
- Department of Life Sciences, University of Siena, Via A. Moro 2, 53100 Siena, Italy.
| | - D Mercati
- Department of Life Sciences, University of Siena, Via A. Moro 2, 53100 Siena, Italy.
| | - R Dallai
- Department of Life Sciences, University of Siena, Via A. Moro 2, 53100 Siena, Italy.
| | - P Lupetti
- Department of Life Sciences, University of Siena, Via A. Moro 2, 53100 Siena, Italy.
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Fanciulli PP, Dallai R, Frati F, Carapelli A. Stachorutes najtae n. sp., a new psammophile species of Collembola from Italy (Neanuridae, Pseudachorutinae). ZOOSYSTEMA 2017. [DOI: 10.5252/z2017n1a4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/05/2022]
Affiliation(s)
| | - Romano Dallai
- University of Siena, Department of Life Sciences, via Aldo Moro 2, 53100 Siena (Italy)
| | - Francesco Frati
- University of Siena, Department of Life Sciences, via Aldo Moro 2, 53100 Siena (Italy)
| | - Antonio Carapelli
- University of Siena, Department of Life Sciences, via Aldo Moro 2, 53100 Siena (Italy)
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Dallai R, Mercati D, Mashimo Y, Machida R, Beutel RG. The fine structure of the rectal pads of Zorotypus caudelli Karny (Zoraptera, Insecta). Arthropod Struct Dev 2016; 45:380-388. [PMID: 27368527 DOI: 10.1016/j.asd.2016.06.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/09/2016] [Revised: 06/16/2016] [Accepted: 06/22/2016] [Indexed: 06/06/2023]
Abstract
The rectal pads of a species of the controversial polyneopteran order Zoraptera were examined using histological sections and TEM micrographs. Six pads are present along the thin rectal epithelium. Each pad consists of a few large principal cells surrounded by flattened junctional cells, which extend also beneath the principal cells. The cells are lined by a thin apical cuticle. No basal cells and no cavity have been observed beneath the pad. Principal cells have a regular layer of apical microvilli and are joined by intercellular septate junctions, which are interrupted by short dilatations of the intercellular space. At these levels the two adjacent plasma membranes are joined by short zonulae adhaerentes. In the cytoplasm, a rich system of strict associations between lateral plasma membranes and mitochondria forms scalariform junctions. Rectal pads share ultrastructural features with similar excretory organs of several neopteran groups, in particular with Blattodea (roaches and termites) and Thysanoptera, and are involved in fluid reabsorption and ion regulation.
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Affiliation(s)
- R Dallai
- Department of Life Sciences, Via A. Moro 2, University of Siena, I-53100 Siena, Italy.
| | - D Mercati
- Department of Life Sciences, Via A. Moro 2, University of Siena, I-53100 Siena, Italy
| | - Y Mashimo
- Sugadaira Montane Research Center, University of Tsukuba, Nagano 386-2204, Japan
| | - R Machida
- Sugadaira Montane Research Center, University of Tsukuba, Nagano 386-2204, Japan
| | - R G Beutel
- Institut für Spezielle Zoologie und Evolutionsbiologie, FSU Jena, Erbertstraße 1, 07743 Jena, Germany
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Gottardo M, Dallai R, Mercati D, Hörnschemeyer T, Beutel RG. The evolution of insect sperm − an unusual character system in a megadiverse group. J ZOOL SYST EVOL RES 2016. [DOI: 10.1111/jzs.12136] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Marco Gottardo
- Department of Life Sciences; Università degli Studi di Siena; Siena Italy
| | - Romano Dallai
- Department of Life Sciences; Università degli Studi di Siena; Siena Italy
| | - David Mercati
- Department of Life Sciences; Università degli Studi di Siena; Siena Italy
| | | | - Rolf Georg Beutel
- Institut für Spezielle Zoologie und Evolutionsbiologie mit Phyletischem Museum; Friedrich-Schiller-Universität Jena; Jena Germany
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Ciolfi S, Mencarelli C, Dallai R. The evolution of sperm axoneme structure and the dynein heavy chain complement in cecidomid insects. Cytoskeleton (Hoboken) 2016; 73:209-18. [DOI: 10.1002/cm.21291] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/25/2015] [Revised: 02/10/2016] [Accepted: 03/01/2016] [Indexed: 11/05/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- S. Ciolfi
- Department of Life Sciences; University of Siena; Siena Italy
| | - C. Mencarelli
- Department of Life Sciences; University of Siena; Siena Italy
| | - R. Dallai
- Department of Life Sciences; University of Siena; Siena Italy
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Dias G, Lino-Neto J, Mercati D, Dallai R. The sperm structure and spermiogenesis of the heteropteran Coptosoma scutellatum (Geoffroy) with emphasis on the development of the centriole adjunct. Micron 2016; 82:33-40. [DOI: 10.1016/j.micron.2015.12.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/19/2015] [Accepted: 12/19/2015] [Indexed: 01/07/2023]
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Kotrba M, Heß M, Dallai R. Giant spermatozoa of Diasemopsis (Diopsidae, Diptera) - Structural, ultrastructural and functional aspects. Arthropod Struct Dev 2016; 45:42-56. [PMID: 26692211 DOI: 10.1016/j.asd.2015.11.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/14/2015] [Revised: 11/23/2015] [Accepted: 11/24/2015] [Indexed: 06/05/2023]
Abstract
The spermatozoa of Diasemopsis comoroensis and Diasemopsis meigenii differ from the conventional brachyceran type in several respects. Not only are they very long but they are also extraordinarily wide, especially at the very end of the tail. The latter is effected by two cellular components: oversized mitochondrial derivatives and a prominent central band, which is a peculiar structure not known from any other spermatozoa. Based on its position with respect to the other organelles and its origin during early spermiogenesis, the central band is interpreted as a derivative of the centriolar adjunct material. Like the axoneme, the mitochondrial derivatives and the central band extend through the entire length of the spermatozoon tail. The spermatozoon tail is helical and can be coiled up into a tight cone-shaped spiral with a peculiar corkscrew shaped end portion. The potential adaptive significance of these features and their coevolution with the morphology of the female's multi-chambered ventral receptacle are discussed, as are sperm competition and cryptic female choice.
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Affiliation(s)
- M Kotrba
- SNSB - Bavarian State Collection of Zoology, Münchhausenstraße 21, 81247 München, Germany.
| | - M Heß
- Ludwig-Maximilians-Universtity, Biocenter, Großhaderner Straße 2, 82152 Planegg-Martinsried, Germany.
| | - R Dallai
- Department of Life Sciences, University of Siena, Via Aldo Moro 2, 53100 Siena, Italy.
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Abstract
This comprehensive review of the structure of sperm in all orders of insects evaluates phylogenetic implications, with the background of a phylogeny based on transcriptomes. Sperm characters strongly support several major branches of the phylogeny of insects-for instance, Cercophora, Dicondylia, and Psocodea-and also different infraordinal groups. Some closely related taxa, such as Trichoptera and Lepidoptera (Amphiesmenoptera), differ greatly in sperm structure. Sperm characters are very conservative in some groups (Heteroptera, Odonata) but highly variable in others, including Zoraptera, a small and morphologically uniform group with a tremendously accelerated rate of sperm evolution. Unusual patterns such as sperm dimorphism, the formation of bundles, or aflagellate and immotile sperm have evolved independently in several groups.
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Affiliation(s)
- Romano Dallai
- Dipartimento di Scienze della Vita, Università di Siena, I-53100 Siena, Italy; ,
| | - Marco Gottardo
- Dipartimento di Scienze della Vita, Università di Siena, I-53100 Siena, Italy; ,
| | - Rolf Georg Beutel
- Institut für Spezielle Zoologie und Evolutionsbiologie mit Phyletischem Museum, Friedrich-Schiller-Universität Jena, D-07743 Jena, Germany;
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Mercati D, Dallai R. A peculiar new virus-spermatozoon association in the bug Raphigaster nebulosa (Poda) (Heteroptera-Insecta). Arthropod Struct Dev 2016; 45:64-68. [PMID: 26772164 DOI: 10.1016/j.asd.2016.01.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/21/2015] [Accepted: 01/03/2016] [Indexed: 06/05/2023]
Abstract
The sperm of the heteropteran bug Raphigaster nebulosa (Poda) are of two types, differing in length and size of their flagella. The thicker sperm are shorter than the thinner ones and have large mitochondrial derivatives. The presence of virus particles associated with the plasma membrane of thinner sperm is described for the first time; thicker sperm are immune to virus infection. The fact that virus particles are present on thinner sperm only initiates considerations on the transmission of virus.
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Affiliation(s)
- David Mercati
- Department of Life Sciences, University of Siena, via Aldo Moro 2, 53100 Siena, Italy.
| | - Romano Dallai
- Department of Life Sciences, University of Siena, via Aldo Moro 2, 53100 Siena, Italy.
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Mashimo Y, Beutel RG, Dallai R, Gottardo M, Lee CY, Machida R. The morphology of the eggs of three species of Zoraptera (Insecta). Arthropod Struct Dev 2015; 44:656-666. [PMID: 26431636 DOI: 10.1016/j.asd.2015.09.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/30/2015] [Revised: 09/15/2015] [Accepted: 09/16/2015] [Indexed: 06/05/2023]
Abstract
The egg structure of Zorotypus magnicaudelli, Zorotypus hubbardi and Zorotypus impolitus was examined and described in detail. Major characteristics of zorapteran eggs previously reported were confirmed in these species, with the partial exception of Z. impolitus: 1) a pair of micropyles at the equator of the egg's ventral side, 2) a honeycomb pattern on the egg surface, 3) a two-layered chorion, 4) micropylar canals running laterally, 5) a flap covering the inner opening of the micropylar canal and 6) no region specialized for hatching. These features are probably part of the groundplan of the order. Three groups (A-C) and two subgroups (A1 and A2) of Zoraptera can be distinguished based on characters of the reproductive apparatus including eggs. However, information for more species is needed for a reliable interpretation of the complex and apparently fast evolving character system. The egg of Z. impolitus presumably shows apomorphic characteristics not occurring in other species, a chorion without layered construction and polygonal surface compartments with different sculptures on the dorsal and ventral sides of the egg. Another feature found in this species, distinct enlargement of the micropyles, is also found in Z. hubbardi. The increased micropylar size is likely correlated with the giant spermatozoa produced by males of these two species. These two features combined with the large size of the spermatheca are arguably a complex synapomorphy of Z. hubbardi and Z. impolitus. The phylogenetic placement of Zoraptera is discussed based on the egg structure. A clade of Zoraptera + Eukinolabia appears most plausible, but the issue remains an open question.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuta Mashimo
- Sugadaira Montane Research Center, University of Tsukuba, Sugadaira Kogen 1278-294, Ueda, Nagano, 386-2204, Japan.
| | - Rolf G Beutel
- Institut für Spezielle Zoologie und Evolutionsbiologie mit Phyletischem Museum, Friedrich-Schiller-Universität Jena, Erbertstraße 1, 07743, Jena, Germany
| | - Romano Dallai
- Department of Evolutionary Biology, University of Siena, Via A. Moro 2, I-53100, Siena, Italy
| | - Marco Gottardo
- Department of Evolutionary Biology, University of Siena, Via A. Moro 2, I-53100, Siena, Italy
| | - Chow-Yang Lee
- School of Biological Sciences, Universiti Sains Malaysia, 11800, Penang, Malaysia
| | - Ryuichiro Machida
- Sugadaira Montane Research Center, University of Tsukuba, Sugadaira Kogen 1278-294, Ueda, Nagano, 386-2204, Japan.
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Paoli F, Roversi PF, Mercati D, Marziali L, Cocco A, Dallai R. The ultrastructure of spermiogenesis in four species of Coccoidea (Insecta, Homoptera). ZOOL ANZ 2015. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jcz.2015.07.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
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Paoli F, Roversi PF, Gottardo M, Callaini G, Mercati D, Dallai R. A microtubule organizing centre (MTOC) is responsible for the production of the sperm flagellum in Matsucoccus feytaudi (Hemiptera: Coccoidea). Arthropod Struct Dev 2015; 44:237-242. [PMID: 25805602 DOI: 10.1016/j.asd.2015.03.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/29/2015] [Revised: 03/12/2015] [Accepted: 03/13/2015] [Indexed: 06/04/2023]
Abstract
A microtubule organizing centre (MTOC) has been described in the spermatid of the hemipteran Matsucoccus feytaudi (Coccoidea). This structure, revealed as a fluorescent ring by treatment with γ-tubulin antibody, gives rise to a bundle of microtubules which surrounds the elongated cylindrical nucleus. This microtubule bundle has been considered an atypical sperm flagellum provided with sperm motility. A comparison of the M. feytaudi MTOC with the material associated with the centriole of Drosophila melanogaster spermatids confirms the great similarity between the two structures, both involved in the nucleation of microtubules. Like the D. melanogaster material associated with the centriole, the M. feytaudi MTOC is a transient structure which disappears or degenerates at the end of spermiogenesis and is no longer visible in the mature sperm.
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Affiliation(s)
- Francesco Paoli
- Consiglio per la Ricerca e la sperimentazione in Agricoltura, Centro di Ricerca per l'Agrobiologia e la Pedologia (CRA-ABP), via di Lanciola 12/a, Cascine del Riccio, 50125 Firenze, Italy.
| | - Pio Federico Roversi
- Consiglio per la Ricerca e la sperimentazione in Agricoltura, Centro di Ricerca per l'Agrobiologia e la Pedologia (CRA-ABP), via di Lanciola 12/a, Cascine del Riccio, 50125 Firenze, Italy.
| | - Marco Gottardo
- Department of Life Sciences, University of Siena, via Aldo Moro 2, 53100 Siena, Italy.
| | - Giuliano Callaini
- Department of Life Sciences, University of Siena, via Aldo Moro 2, 53100 Siena, Italy.
| | - David Mercati
- Department of Life Sciences, University of Siena, via Aldo Moro 2, 53100 Siena, Italy.
| | - Romano Dallai
- Department of Life Sciences, University of Siena, via Aldo Moro 2, 53100 Siena, Italy.
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Fanciulli PP, Mercati D, Machida R, Dallai R. Spermiogenesis and sperm ultrastructure of Machilontus sp (Insecta: Archaeognatha) with phylogenetic consideration. Micron 2015; 73:47-53. [PMID: 25885076 DOI: 10.1016/j.micron.2015.03.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/04/2015] [Revised: 03/24/2015] [Accepted: 03/24/2015] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
The sperm structure of the jumping bristletail Machilontus sp has been described. The species shares several sperm characteristics with other genera of the same order Archaeognatha. During late spermiogenesis the spermatid bends at half of its length with the two limbs closely apposed within the same plasma membrane. The sperm has a helicoidal bi-layered acrosome with a filamentous perforatorium and a long nucleus. The elongated flagellum consists of an axoneme with 9 accessory microtubules external to the 9+2, two rows of conventional mitochondria and two accessory bodies. The accessory bodies are located lateral to the axoneme and are probably responsible for the shifting of the accessory tubules in two opposite groups of 5 and 4 tubules, respectively. These sperm characteristics represent common traits of all Archaeognatha.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - David Mercati
- Department of Life Sciences, University of Siena, Via A. Moro 2, I-53100 Siena, Italy
| | - Ryuichiro Machida
- Sugadaira Montane Research Center, University of Tsukuba, Nagano 386-2204, Japan
| | - Romano Dallai
- Department of Life Sciences, University of Siena, Via A. Moro 2, I-53100 Siena, Italy.
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Dias G, Lino-Neto J, Mercati D, Dallai R. The sperm ultrastructure and spermiogenesis of Tribolium castaneum (Coleoptera: Tenebrionidae) with evidence of cyst degeneration. Micron 2015; 73:21-7. [PMID: 25867758 DOI: 10.1016/j.micron.2015.03.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/01/2014] [Revised: 02/11/2015] [Accepted: 03/06/2015] [Indexed: 10/23/2022]
Abstract
Previous studies on the spermatogenesis of tenebrionid beetles showed the unusual formation of two antiparallel sperm bundles per cyst. In this work we reported this feature also in Tribolium castaneum using light and transmission electron microscopy. The sperm structure of T. castaneum, similar to other tenebrionids, consists of a three-layered acrosome, an elongated nucleus and a flagellum with a 9+9+2 axoneme, two accessory bodies and two asymmetric mitochondrial derivatives. The presence of two antiparallel sperm bundles per cyst also in Meloidae and Rhipiphoridae suggests that it is a strong trait synapomorphic for Tenebrionoidea. The huge degeneration of whole sperm cells in several cysts of testes during spermiogenesis is also described.
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Affiliation(s)
- Glenda Dias
- Laboratório de Biologia Estrutural, Departamento de Biologia Geral, UFV, 36570-900 Viçosa, Minas Gerais, Brazil; Dipartimento Scienze della Vita, Università degli Studi di Siena, Via Aldo Moro 2, 53100 Siena, Italy.
| | - José Lino-Neto
- Laboratório de Biologia Estrutural, Departamento de Biologia Geral, UFV, 36570-900 Viçosa, Minas Gerais, Brazil.
| | - David Mercati
- Dipartimento Scienze della Vita, Università degli Studi di Siena, Via Aldo Moro 2, 53100 Siena, Italy.
| | - Romano Dallai
- Dipartimento Scienze della Vita, Università degli Studi di Siena, Via Aldo Moro 2, 53100 Siena, Italy.
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44
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Fanciulli PP, Dallai R, Meneguz M. A new littoral interstitial species of the genus Isotomodes (Collembola, Isotomidae) from Italy. Zootaxa 2015; 3931:293-7. [PMID: 25781829 DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.3931.2.9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/11/2015] [Indexed: 11/04/2022]
Affiliation(s)
| | - Romano Dallai
- University of Siena, Department of Life Sciences, via Aldo Moro 2, 53100 Siena.;
| | - Marco Meneguz
- University of Siena, Department of Life Sciences, via Aldo Moro 2, 53100 Siena.;
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Paoli F, Roversi PF, Benassai D, Squarcini M, Mercati D, Dallai R. The sperm of Matsucoccus feytaudi (Insecta, Coccoidea): Can the microtubular bundle be considered as a true flagellum? Arthropod Struct Dev 2015; 44:142-156. [PMID: 25533128 DOI: 10.1016/j.asd.2014.11.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/16/2014] [Revised: 11/19/2014] [Accepted: 11/26/2014] [Indexed: 06/04/2023]
Abstract
In the present work the spermiogenesis and sperm structure of Matsucoccus feytaudi, a primary pest of the maritime pine in southern eastern Europe, is studied. In addition to the already known characteristics of coccid sperm, such as the absence of the acrosome and mitochondria, and the presence of a bundle of microtubules responsible for sperm motility, a peculiar structure from which the microtubule bundle takes origin is described. Such a structure--a short cylinder provided with a central hub surrounded by several microtubules with a dense wall--is regarded as a Microtubule Organizing Centre (MTOC). During spermiogenesis, quartets of fused spermatids are formed; from each spermatid, a bundle of microtubules, generated by the MTOC, projects from the cell surface. Each cell has two centrioles, suggesting the lack of a meiotic process and the occurrence of parthenogenesis. At the end of the spermiogenesis, when the cysts containing bundles of sperm are formed, part of the nuclear material together with the MTOC structure is eliminated. Based on the origin of the microtubular bundle from the MTOC, the nature of the bundle as a flagellum is discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Francesco Paoli
- Consiglio per la Ricerca e la sperimentazione in Agricoltura, Centro di Ricerca per l'Agrobiologia e la Pedologia (CRA-ABP), via di Lanciola 12/a, Cascine del Riccio, 50125 Firenze, Italy.
| | - Pio Federico Roversi
- Consiglio per la Ricerca e la sperimentazione in Agricoltura, Centro di Ricerca per l'Agrobiologia e la Pedologia (CRA-ABP), via di Lanciola 12/a, Cascine del Riccio, 50125 Firenze, Italy.
| | - Daniele Benassai
- Consiglio per la Ricerca e la sperimentazione in Agricoltura, Centro di Ricerca per l'Agrobiologia e la Pedologia (CRA-ABP), via di Lanciola 12/a, Cascine del Riccio, 50125 Firenze, Italy.
| | - Michele Squarcini
- Consiglio per la Ricerca e la sperimentazione in Agricoltura, Centro di Ricerca per l'Agrobiologia e la Pedologia (CRA-ABP), via di Lanciola 12/a, Cascine del Riccio, 50125 Firenze, Italy.
| | - David Mercati
- Department of Life Sciences, University of Siena, via Aldo Moro 2, 53100 Siena, Italy.
| | - Romano Dallai
- Department of Life Sciences, University of Siena, via Aldo Moro 2, 53100 Siena, Italy.
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Dallai R, Thipaksorn A, Gottardo M, Mercati D, Machida R, Beutel RG. The sperm structure ofCryptocercus punctulatusScudder (Blattodea) and sperm evolution in Dictyoptera. J Morphol 2014; 276:361-9. [DOI: 10.1002/jmor.20345] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/30/2014] [Revised: 11/07/2014] [Accepted: 11/11/2014] [Indexed: 11/11/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Romano Dallai
- Department of Life Sciences; University of Siena; Siena 53100 Italy
| | - Apisit Thipaksorn
- Sugadaira Montane Research Center; University of Tsukuba; Nagano 386-2204 Japan
- ASESRU; Department of Zoology; Faculty of Science; Kasetsart University; Bangkok 10900 Thailand
| | - Marco Gottardo
- Department of Life Sciences; University of Siena; Siena 53100 Italy
| | - David Mercati
- Department of Life Sciences; University of Siena; Siena 53100 Italy
| | - Ryuichiro Machida
- Sugadaira Montane Research Center; University of Tsukuba; Nagano 386-2204 Japan
| | - Rolf Georg Beutel
- Entomology Group; Institut für Spezielle Zoologie und Evolutionsbiologie mit Phyletischem Museum; Friedrich-Schiller-Universität Jena; Erbertstr. 1 Jena 07743 Germany
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Dias G, Lino-Neto J, Dallai R. The sperm ultrastructure of Stictoleptura cordigera (Füssli, 1775) (Insecta, Coleoptera, Cerambycidae). Tissue Cell 2014; 47:73-7. [PMID: 25554604 DOI: 10.1016/j.tice.2014.11.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/30/2014] [Revised: 11/27/2014] [Accepted: 11/28/2014] [Indexed: 10/24/2022]
Abstract
The spermatozoa of the longhorn beetles Stictoleptura cordigera were ultrastructurally described in this paper. They have an apical bilayered acrosome, an elongated nucleus, a centriole with star-shape links, two asymmetric mitochondrial derivatives partially crystallized and a 9+9+2 flagellar axoneme with accessory tubules provided with 16 protofilaments in their wall. A centriole adjunct is present and gives rise to two thick laminae as accessory bodies, also asymmetrical, to which two relatively small puff-like structures of different size are connected. These features were previously found in the sperm of the cerambycid Morimus asper. The strict similarity of the cerambycid sperm characters with those of curculionoids indicates a clear phylogenetic relationship between Chrysomeloidea and Curculionoidea.
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Affiliation(s)
- Glenda Dias
- Laboratório de Biologia Estrutural, Departamento de Biologia Geral, UFV, 36570-900 Viçosa, Minas Gerais, Brazil; Dipartimento Scienze della Vita, Università degli Studi di Siena, Via Aldo Moro 2, 53100 Siena, Italy.
| | - José Lino-Neto
- Laboratório de Biologia Estrutural, Departamento de Biologia Geral, UFV, 36570-900 Viçosa, Minas Gerais, Brazil.
| | - Romano Dallai
- Dipartimento Scienze della Vita, Università degli Studi di Siena, Via Aldo Moro 2, 53100 Siena, Italy.
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Dallai R, Gottardo M, Mercati D, Rafael JA, Machida R, Mashimo Y, Matsumura Y, Beutel RG. The intermediate sperm type and genitalia of Zorotypus shannoni Gurney: evidence supporting infraordinal lineages in Zoraptera (Insecta). ZOOMORPHOLOGY 2014. [DOI: 10.1007/s00435-014-0244-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
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Dallai R. Overview on spermatogenesis and sperm structure of Hexapoda. Arthropod Struct Dev 2014; 43:257-290. [PMID: 24732045 DOI: 10.1016/j.asd.2014.04.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 88] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/03/2014] [Revised: 03/28/2014] [Accepted: 04/01/2014] [Indexed: 06/03/2023]
Abstract
The main characteristics of the sperm structure of Hexapoda are reported in the review. Data are dealing with the process of spermatogenesis, including the aberrant models giving rise to a reduced number of sperm cells. The sperm heteromorphism and the giant sperm exceeding the usual sperm size for length and width are considered. The characteristics of several components of a typical insect sperm are described: the plasma membrane and its glycocalyx, the nucleus, the centriole region and the centriole adjunct, the accessory bodies, the mitochondrial derivatives and the flagellar axoneme. Finally, a detailed description of the main sperm features of each hexapodan group is given with emphasis on the flagellar components considered to have great importance in phylogenetic considerations. This study may be also useful to those requiring an introduction to hexapod reproduction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Romano Dallai
- Department of Life Sciences, University of Siena, Via Aldo Moro 2, 53100 Siena, Italy.
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50
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Dallai R, Gottardo M, Mercati D, Machida R, Mashimo Y, Matsumura Y, Rafael JA, Beutel RG. Comparative morphology of spermatozoa and reproductive systems of zorapteran species from different world regions (Insecta, Zoraptera). Arthropod Struct Dev 2014; 43:371-383. [PMID: 24657729 DOI: 10.1016/j.asd.2014.03.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/03/2014] [Revised: 03/10/2014] [Accepted: 03/12/2014] [Indexed: 06/03/2023]
Abstract
The male and female reproductive apparatus of Zorotypus magnicaudelli (Malaysia), Zorotypus huxleyi (Ecuador) and Zorotypus weidneri (Brazil) were examined and documented in detail. The genital apparatus and sperm of the three species show only minor differences. The testes are larger in Z. magnicaudelli. Z. huxleyi lacks the helical appendage in the accessory glands. A long cuticular flagellum is present in Z. magnicaudelli and in the previously studied Zorotypus caudelli like in several other species, whereas it is absent in Z. weidneri, Z. huxleyi, Zorotypus hubbardi, Zorotypus impolitus and Zorotypus guineensis. Characteristic features of the very similar sperm are the presence of: a) two dense arches above the axoneme; b) a 9 + 9+2 axoneme with detached subtubules A and B of doublets 1 and 6; c) the axonemal end degenerating with enlarging accessory tubules; d) accessory tubules with 17 protofilaments; e) three accessory bodies beneath the axoneme; and f) two mitochondrial derivatives of equal shape. The first characteristic (a) is unknown outside of Zoraptera and possibly autapomorphic. The sperm structure differs distinctly in Z. impolitus and Z. hubbardi, which produce giant sperm and possess a huge spermatheca. The presence of the same sperm type in species either provided with a sclerotized coiled flagellum in males or lacking this structure indicates that a different organization of the genital apparatus does not necessarily affect the sperm structure. The flagellum and its pouch has probably evolved within Zoraptera, but it cannot be excluded that it is a groundplan feature and was reduced several times. The fossil evidence and our findings suggest that distinct modifications in the genital apparatus occurred before the fragmentation of the Gondwanan landmass in the middle Cretaceous.
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Affiliation(s)
- Romano Dallai
- Department of Life Sciences, Via A. Moro 2, University of Siena, I-53100 Siena, Italy.
| | - Marco Gottardo
- Department of Life Sciences, Via A. Moro 2, University of Siena, I-53100 Siena, Italy.
| | - David Mercati
- Department of Life Sciences, Via A. Moro 2, University of Siena, I-53100 Siena, Italy.
| | - Ryuichiro Machida
- Sugadaira Montane Research Center, University of Tsukuba, Nagano 386-2204, Japan.
| | - Yuta Mashimo
- Sugadaira Montane Research Center, University of Tsukuba, Nagano 386-2204, Japan.
| | - Yoko Matsumura
- Entomology Group, Institut für Spezielle Zoologie und Evolutionsbiologie mit Phyletischem Museum, Friedrich-Schiller-Universität Jena, Erbertstr. 1, D-07743 Jena, Germany.
| | - José Albertino Rafael
- Instituto Nacional de Pesquisas da Amazonia, Caixa Postal 478, 69011-970 Manaus, AM, Brazil.
| | - Rolf Georg Beutel
- Entomology Group, Institut für Spezielle Zoologie und Evolutionsbiologie mit Phyletischem Museum, Friedrich-Schiller-Universität Jena, Erbertstr. 1, D-07743 Jena, Germany.
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