Ultrastructural morphology of the male and female genital tracts of Psoroptes spp. (Acari: Astigmata: Psoroptidae)

Abstract

The structure of the male and female genital systems of the astigmatid mite Psoroptes ovis (Hering) is described. The male genital system is composed of a paired testis, fused at its proximal part, two vasa deferentia, an ejaculatory duct, into which a single accessory gland opens, and a copulatory organ. The testis is characterized by a peripheric syncytial cell surrounding spermatogonia, spermatocytes, spermatids and spermatozoa which are distributed regularly in the gonad according to the sequence of spermatogenesis. The female genital system consists of a copulatory pore (the bursa copulatrix), a seminal receptacle, paired ovaries and oviducts, a glandular uterus and an ovipositor which leads to the oviporus. Ovaries are composed of somatic cells, germ cells and a central cell, with a multilobular nucleus, connected to oocytes by a stalk. Similarities with other astigmatic mites belonging to Psoroptidia and Acaridia are also discussed.