Ultrastructure of the spermathecal gland of Melipona bicolor lep. (Hymenoptera, Apinae, Meliponini)
Braz. j. morphol. sci
;
19(1): 9-16, Jan.-Jun. 2002. ilus
Artículo
en Inglés
| LILACS
| ID: lil-355080
ABSTRACT
The ultrastructural features of the spermathecal gland of Melipona bicolor, a stingless bee, are described. The gland in this species is very small, but the organization of the cells and theis ultrastructural features are very similar to those of Apis mellifera. The gland consist of two short tubular diverticuli connected directly to the spermatheca. The diverticuli are constituted by class III glandular cells. The only difference between the glands of virgin and mated queens is the presence of glycogen deposits in virgins, probably remmants of energetic reserves frequently present in young tissues. The physiological role of the secretion of this organ is not known since its lipid morphological aspect, does not seem support a nutritional function to the sperm cells.
Texto completo:
Disponible
Índice:
LILACS (Américas)
Asunto principal:
Reproducción
/
Espermatozoides
/
Abejas
Límite:
Animales
Idioma:
Inglés
Revista:
Braz. j. morphol. sci
Asunto de la revista:
Anatomía
Año:
2002
Tipo del documento:
Artículo
País de afiliación:
Brasil
Institución/País de afiliación:
Federal University of Viçosa/BR
/
Paulista State University/BR
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