Morphology and ultrastructure of the spermatozoa of Lonchoptera lutea Panzer, 1809 (Diptera: Lonchopteridae)

Abstract

Lonchoptera lutea males produce giant spermatozoa that are more than 2000 μm long and 1.4 μm wide. Unlike the typical brachyceran spermatozoon, they have a highly asymmetrical cross-section with only a single, albeit very large, mitochondrial derivative and a pair of massive accessory bodies, one of which extends throughout the entire length of the sperm tail. The accessory bodies consist of an electron-dense matrix in which numerous peculiar electron-lucid substructures are embedded. In the mated female, the giant spermatozoa are found inside two tubular spermathecae which are also extremely long, measuring 4000 μm or more.

Keywords: Accessory body; Giant spermatozoa; Mitochondrial derivative; Reproduction; Spermatheca.