水蕨卵膜的形成及其超微结构的观察

蕨类植物成熟卵的周围有一层卵膜,但其细微结构和形成过程仍不清楚,本研究应用透射电镜技术对水蕨(Ceratopteris thailictroides)卵细胞发育过程中卵膜的形成及超微结构进行了观察.结果表明水蕨卵细胞在发育中期开始形成卵膜,卵上方的卵膜十分显著,是由多层嗜锇性内质网片层附着于质膜内表面形成的,成熟时卵上方的卵膜中心部分厚,向边缘逐渐变薄,在嗜锇性片层之间填充有嗜锇性物质.比较而言,卵下方及侧面的卵膜薄,由两层紧密连接的嗜锇性膜构成.首次阐明了蕨类植物卵膜形成的超微结构,并对卵膜的一些功能进行了探讨.     

沱江流域宽体沙鳅的胚胎发育,封二

通过人工授精获得受精卵,利用数码显微镜进行连续观察和拍照记录,对沱江宽体沙鳅胚胎发育特征进行了详细观察和描述,并确定了到达各发育期所需的时间.成熟卵直径为0.9～1.1 mm.受精卵卵膜吸水膨胀之后直径为1.6～1.9 mm,半漂流性.卵膜直径较小是区分宽体沙鳅和其他鳅科漂流性鱼卵的标志性特征.水温23℃±0.5℃,受精卵历时27 h孵出.胚胎发育过程可划分为7个阶段、28个发育期.初孵仔鱼全长约为3.5～3.8 mm.建议水利工程规划及建设中应该保留满足漂流性卵胚胎发育的足够长的天然河段.     

鲇（♀）× 南方鲇（♂）杂交F1胚胎发育观察

通过人工授精获得鲇(Silurus asotus)♀×南方鲇(Silurus meridionalis)♂杂交受精卵,对杂交F1胚胎发育进行了观察和记录,以期了解杂交鲇早期发育特征并进一步验证鲇与南方鲇杂交的可行性。用0.3%胰蛋白酶液对受精卵进行脱黏处理,在Leica MZ16 A体式显微镜下进行观察和拍照。早期每隔15 min观察一次,发育至原肠胚阶段后每隔30 min观察一次。受精卵及胚体大小长度等用Leica DC500照相系统自带软件进行测量。结果表明,鲇(♀)×南方鲇(♂)杂交受精卵呈圆球形,草绿色,吸水后膨胀,卵径(2.50±0.14)mm,卵膜外形成一层较厚胶膜且黏性较强。在水温(24.5±0.6)℃的情况下,受精卵在受精后48 min形成胚盘,1 h 35 min开始卵裂,4 h 23 min进入囊胚期,7 h 22 min时达到原肠胚期,11 h 23 min发育至神经胚期,随后进入器官分化和逐渐完善的阶段,28 h 49 min开始出膜,40 h 33 min全部出膜。杂交胚胎的平均受精率为89.7%,孵化率为55.3%,初孵仔鱼畸形率为5.9%,表明南方鲇与鲇的精卵不亲和性程度较小,二者杂交可行。总体上看,鲇(♀)×南方鲇(♂)杂交F1胚胎发育时序、器官分化进程与其母本鲇基本相同,呈现"偏母遗传"特征。     

长鳍吻鮈胚胎发育特征观察

以人工繁殖获得的长鳍吻鮈Rhinogobio ventralis受精卵为材料,观察了长鳍吻鮈胚胎发育,分析了其发育特征。结果显示:成熟长鳍吻鮈卵的卵径为1.52 mm±0.07 mm,吸水膨胀后卵膜径达到6.44 mm±0.08 mm,为卵径的4.2倍。在水温17.35℃±0.24℃条件下,长鳍吻鮈受精卵历时73.50 h孵化出膜,出膜仔鱼全长6.25 mm±0.11 mm,从受精到孵化出膜的积温为1275.44℃·h。根据胚胎发育过程形态特征,将长鳍吻鮈胚胎发育过程分为受精卵、卵裂、囊胚、原肠、神经胚、器官发生和出膜7个阶段26个时期。结果表明:长鳍吻鮈受精卵吸水后的卵膜径、出膜前胚体蜷曲程度等可作为长鳍吻鮈早期发育阶段形态学鉴定的依据。长鳍吻鮈胚胎发育阶段的积温高于一些产漂流性卵鱼类。     

日本鳗鲡精卵的超微结构以及受精过程观察

通过扫描电镜和透射电镜对经人工催产获得的日本鳗鲡(Anguilla japonica)精子、卵膜的超微结构以及受精过程进行了观察。实验观察到,除一般硬骨鱼类的精子特性外,日本鳗鲡精子有其独特的结构。精子头部为不规则的梨形,有背腹面之分。一个巨大的球形线粒体位于头部顶端。精子中段向后伸出一支根,支根位于袖套腔外精子的背侧,前端向精子头部线粒体方向延伸,支根的微管结构为"8+2"结构,并在精子入卵过程中起到切断鞭毛的作用。精子的尾部由鞭毛和鞭毛末端的结组成。鞭毛横切面呈圆形,无侧鳍,鞭毛微管结构为"9+0"结构。受精卵的整个表面密布着无规律延伸的脊、脊包围形成的窝和窝中的孔所组成的脊孔复合体,但无典型特征的受精孔。受精卵超薄切片观察发现,日本鳗鲡卵膜分为外层壳膜和内层卵黄膜。壳膜与卵黄膜间为卵周隙。壳膜只观察到放射带,未见透明带。放射带可分为三个亚层:最外层为脊孔复合体的脊,中间层为皱纹层,最内层为致密的平滑层。脊孔复合体的孔横穿整个放射带,在放射带内层形成一个乳突状结构。日本鳗鲡的卵膜不仅具有保护卵子的作用,而且还参与了受精。实验还通过扫描电镜观察了日本鳗鲡精子的入卵过程。观察结果认为:日本鳗鲡精子入卵过程可分为卵膜对精子的吸引、精子对卵膜的锚定、精核的进入和孔封闭等4个阶段。但由于研究只观察到受精过程中日本鳗鲡精子和卵膜的形态变化,因此对精子穿过卵膜的方式和特征等尚需做进一步的研究。整个受精过程为1min30s左右。此外,研究还探讨了日本鳗鲡精子结构的特殊性和受精过程的特殊性,为进一步突破日本鳗鲡人工育苗技术提供了理论依据。       

白点鲑胚胎与仔鱼发育

通过Bouin's液、5%的福尔马林、透明液固定和活体解剖观察等4种不同方法,对白点鲑(Salvelinus leucomaenis)胚胎和仔鱼发育进行了系统观察,描述了早期发育过程。白点鲑受精卵为端黄卵,沉性,橙黄色,呈圆球形。在水温3.40～8.89℃,受精卵历时1 944 h,经历6个阶段的胚胎发育破膜孵出仔鱼;初孵仔鱼全长(17.89±0.32)mm,破膜后73 d各鳍条发育完全,并出现"幼鲑斑",破膜后350d鱼体外部形态与成鱼基本相同。将白点鲑与几种鱼类进行了对比,并且探讨了其胚胎发育特点。经比较4种不同观察方法,Bouin's液固定后剥离卵膜观察是研究白点鲑等卵膜较厚鱼类的理想方法。     

中华绒螯蟹胚胎附着系统的结构和形成机制

利用透射电镜和扫描电镜技术研究了中华绒螯蟹(Eriocheir sinensis)胚胎附着系统的结构及形成机制。中华绒螯蟹受精卵附着在雌性腹肢内肢的携卵刚毛上。该附着系统由三个连续部分组成:卵膜、卵柄和被膜,后者覆盖在携卵刚毛的绒毛上。研究结果显示:中华绒螯蟹的成熟胚胎由三层明显的卵膜组成,即E1、E2和E3层,但胚胎附着系统的卵柄及被膜仅为外层(E1)。卵巢中成熟卵的卵膜仅由E1层组成,E1分为两个亚层(E1a′、E1b′)。胚胎附着系统的形成与雌蟹的行为、腹肢粘液腺分泌的粘液、卵膜的超微结构及各层的变化有关。受精卵刚从生殖孔中排出时,卵膜(E1a′、E1b′)并不能直接粘附在携卵绒毛上。产卵后不久,雌蟹腹肢粘液腺分泌粘液的量增多,E1a′、E1b′的结构发生变化,表现为边界模糊,卵膜出现很强的粘性。在产卵后约60min E1层又明显分为两个亚层(E1a、E1b),同时排卵后雌蟹腹部的携卵绒毛不断地运动,这种运动促使携卵绒毛外的被膜形成。随着E1层亚结构的变化,E2层也开始形成,当E1新的两个亚层出现时,部分区域的E1层与E2层发生分离,卵柄开始形成,并牢固地附着在携卵绒毛上。被膜、卵柄与卵膜最外层的结构相同,均由E1层构成[动物学报51(5):852-861,2005]。     

背瘤丽蚌胚胎发育的初步研究

用显微技术研究了背瘤丽蚌(Lamprotula leai)胚胎发育和钩介幼虫结构。结果表明,背瘤丽蚌卵为均黄卵,受精卵分布在雌蚌内、外鳃腔中进行胚胎发育;胚胎发育同步;胚胎发育过程包括受精卵、卵裂期、囊胚期、原肠期、膜内钩介幼虫期和钩介幼虫期;卵裂为螺旋不等完全卵裂;未受精的成熟卵在鳃腔内退化;胚胎发育期与胚胎、外鳃和内鳃颜色相关;怀卵母蚌胚胎在外界环境变化时容易全部流产。分析认为背瘤丽蚌胚胎发育期的繁殖特征可指导人工苗种生产。     

卵子皮层颗粒的功能

皮层颗粒是卵内一种特殊的、由膜包围的一种分泌颗粒,它位于质膜之下,许多无脊椎动物和脊椎动物单精受精卵都有此细胞器,生理多精受精卵则没有。当卵受精时发生胞吐作用,将其内含物释放,这过程被称为皮层反应。它的作用主要使卵的外膜发生变化,阻止多精受精以及保护胚胎发育,防止不利的环境条件。 1.卵子皮层卵子皮层是一位于质膜下呈凝胶的细胞质薄层,不同动物的厚度不同,1—5微米。皮层颗粒即位于此皮层中,若离心,卵内细胞质很易分层,而皮层颗粒不易被分离。因此皮层为一半固体的弹力层,其硬度主要取决于Ca~(2+)的存在。未受精卵的皮层含有单体的肌动蛋白,受精时随皮层反应肌动蛋白发生多聚作用而形成一凝胶的网状结构。从分离卵子表面的实验表明皮层颗粒牢固     

犬首鮈卵子发生过程及成熟卵膜形态结构观察

摘要：通过组织切片和扫描电镜技术对犬首鮈卵子发生过程及成熟卵膜表面结构进行观察。结果显示,犬首鮈卵子发生过程可以分为Ⅰ-Ⅵ时相:第Ⅰ时相卵母细胞主要有卵原细胞构成;第Ⅱ时相卵母细胞外层出现滤泡细胞;皮质液泡和卵黄颗粒分别发生在第Ⅲ、Ⅳ时相;第Ⅴ时相卵母细胞为成熟的卵子,富含丰富的卵黄和少量皮质液泡;第Ⅵ时相卵母细胞退化进而被卵巢吸收。卵膜孔呈漏斗状,卵孔区域类型属于降旋混合系统。犬首鮈成熟卵膜表层具有特殊的柱状体结构,高度为18.3~30.6um,平均分布密度为0.15个/um2,分析可能为该物种或生态类型的卵膜结构特征,推测对产沉粘性卵鱼类受精卵孵化、胚胎发育起重要作用。     

Egg envelope synthesis and chorion modification after oviposition in the dragonfly Libellula depressa (Odonata, Libellulidae).

Libellula depressa (Odonata, Libellulidae) is an exophytic dragonfly ovidepositing eggs in clutches on the surface of floating plants and algae. The present work investigates, at ultrastructural level, the gradual differentiation of the egg envelopes and the chorionic changes after egg deposition in water. The ovary of the mature female of L. depressa is composed of numerous strings of panoistic ovarioles, where the eggshell formation takes place gradually throughout the activity of the follicle cells. The present data show that the egg envelopes are constituted of a very thick electrondense vitelline envelope, a thin endochorion and an extremely thick exochorion composed of a fibrillar matrix resting on a thin electrondense layer. After deposition in water, L. depressa eggs, initially white and almost transparent, gradually become brown spots in a semitransparent jelly coat, rich of incorporated debris. The jelly coat enveloping the eggs of L. depressa derives exclusively from the exochorion, constituted of a fibrillar matrix, which swell at contact with water. The jelly-like coat performs an adhesive function and presumably a protective role during egg segmentation and ensuing larval hatching.     

Structural features of the abalone egg extracellular matrix and its role in gamete interaction during fertilization

Abalone eggs are surrounded by a complex extracellular coat that contains three distinct elements: the jelly layer, the vitelline envelope, and the egg surface coat. In this study we used light and electron microscopy to describe these three elements in the red abalone (Haliotis rufescens) and ascribe function to each based on their interactions with sperm. The jelly coat is a spongy matrix that lies at the outermost margin of the egg and consists of variably sized fibers. Sperm pass through this layer with their acrosomes intact and then go on to bind to the vitelline envelope. The vitelline envelope is a multilamellar fibrous layer that appears to trigger the acrosome reaction after sperm binding. Next, sperm release lysin from their acrosomal granules, a nonenzymatic protein that dissolves a hole in the vitelline envelope through which the sperm swims. Sperm then contact the egg surface coat, a network of uniformly sized filaments lying directly above the egg plasma membrane. This layer mediates attachment of sperm, via their acrosomal process, to the egg surface. © 1995 Wiley-Liss, Inc.     

Structure of the extraembryonic matrices around the benthic embryos of Patiriella exigua (Asteroidea) and their roles in benthic development: Comparison with the planktonic embryos of Patiriella regularis

The extracellular matrices (ECMs) surrounding the benthic embryos and larvae of the seastar Patiriella exigua and the planktonic embryos of Patiriella regularis were examined by transmission and scanning electron microscopy. Three ECMs surround unhatched embryos: An outer jelly coat, a fertilization envelope, and an inner hyaline layer. The ECMs of P. exigua are modified for supporting benthic development. The dense jelly coat attaches the embryo to the substratum, and the fertilization envelope forms a though protective case. In comparison, P. regularis has a less dense jelly coat and a thinner fertilization envelope. The hyaline layer of both species is comprised of three main regions: An intervillous layer overlying the epithelium, a supporting layer, and a coarse meshwork layer. Unhatched P. exigua have an additional outer amorphous layer that adheres to the fertilization envelope. As a result, the hyaline layer forms a continuous ECM that unites the embryonic surface with the fertilization envelope. Embryos of P. exigua removed from their fertilization envelopes lack the outer amorphous region, have a poorly developed hyaline layer, and do not develop beyond gastrulation. It appears that the substantial hyaline layer of P. exigua and its attachment to the fertilization envelope are essential for early development and that this ECM may function as a gelatinous cushioning layer around the benthic embryos. At hatching, the amorphous layer is discarded with the envelope. In contrast, an amorphous layer is absent from the hyaline layer of P. regularis. The demembranated embryos of this species have an ECM similar to that of controls and develop normally to the larval stage. © 1995 Wiley-Liss, Inc.     

Ultrastructural and experimental investigations of sperm-egg interactions in fertilization ofHydra carnea

Summary Fertilization in the freshwater hydrozoanHydra carnea has been examined by light, scanning and transmission electron microscopy. Sperm penetrate the jelly coat which covers the entire egg surface only at the site of the emission of the polar bodies. The egg surface exhibits a small depression, the so called fertilization pit at this site. Sperm-egg fusion takes place only at the bottom of the fertilization pit.Hydra sperm lack a structurally distinct acrosome and in most of the observed cases, fusion was initiated by contact between the membrane of the lateral part of the sperm head and the egg surfacce. Neither microvilli nor a fertilization cone are formed at the site of gamete fusion. The process of membrane fusion takes only a few seconds and within 1 to 2 min sperm head and midpiece are incorporated in the egg.Electron dense material is released by the egg upon insemination but cortical granule exocytosis does not occur and a fertilization envelope is not formed. The possible polyspermy-preventing mechanisms in hydrozoans are discussed. Hydra eggs can be cut into halves whereupon the egg membranes reseal at the cut edges and the fragments assume a spherical shape. Fragments containing the female pronucleus can be inseminated and exhibit normal cleavage and development. The observation that in such isolated parts the jelly coat will not fuse along the cut edges was used to determine its role in site-specific gamete fusion. These experiments indicate that site-specificity of gamete fusion can be attributed to special membrane properties at the fertilization pit.     

An ultrastructural study of the egg wall surrounding the miracidium of the digenean Brandesia turgida () (Plagiorchiida: Pleurogenidae), with the description of a unique cocoon-like envelope

The intrauterine eggs of the pleurogenid trematode Brandesia turgida (Brandes, 1888), exhibiting advanced stages of miracidial differentiation and fully formed, ciliated miracidia, were examined by means of transmission electron microscopy (TEM). Each embryonated egg is composed of a mature miracidium surrounded by a four-layered egg wall: (1) an outer, anucleate layer external to the eggshell, which forms a thick cocoon; (2) the operculate egg-shell; (3) a small remnant of the compact, granular cytoplasm of the outer embryonic envelope (sensu stricto); and (4) a relatively distinct cellular remnant of the inner embryonic envelope. Layers enveloping the egg apparently play an important role in the protection, metabolism and storage of nutritive reserves for the developing miracidium. The outer, anucleate layer, or cocoon, situated externally to the eggshell and composed of a transparent, electron-lucent substance with numerous dense, osmiophilic islands attached to its peripheral membrane, has never previously been seen in TEM studies of the eggs of parasitic platyhelminths. The origin, formation, functional ultrastructure and chemical composition of this peculiar layer remain enigmatic, although its function appears to be protective. The thick, electron-dense eggshell resembles that of other trematodes, exhibiting a characteristic fissure zone around the operculum. The very small, indistinct remnants of the outer embryonic envelope appear in the form of a very thin, compact, granular cytoplasm closely attached to the inner surface of the eggshell. Conversely, the inner embryonic envelope is frequently apparent at one or both poles of the developed egg as a syncytial envelope formed by the fusion of mesomeres. This envelope, even in eggs containing a fully formed miracidium, still has the features of a metabolically active layer with an energy storage capability. Lysosome-like structures observed in some eggs may be involved in the autolysis of the embryonic envelopes.     

An ultrastructural study of the egg wall surrounding the miracidium of the digenean Brandesia turgida ( ) (Plagiorchiida: Pleurogenidae), with the description of a unique cocoon-like envelope

The intrauterine eggs of the pleurogenid trematode Brandesia turgida ( Brandes, 1888), exhibiting advanced stages of miracidial differentiation and fully formed, ciliated miracidia, were examined by means of transmission electron microscopy (TEM). Each embryonated egg is composed of a mature miracidium surrounded by a four-layered egg wall: (1) an outer, anucleate layer external to the eggshell, which forms a thick cocoon; (2) the operculate egg-shell; (3) a small remnant of the compact, granular cytoplasm of the outer embryonic envelope (sensu stricto); and (4) a relatively distinct cellular remnant of the inner embryonic envelope. Layers enveloping the egg apparently play an important role in the protection, metabolism and storage of nutritive reserves for the developing miracidium. The outer, anucleate layer, or cocoon, situated externally to the eggshell and composed of a transparent, electron-lucent substance with numerous dense, osmiophilic islands attached to its peripheral membrane, has never previously been seen in TEM studies of the eggs of parasitic platyhelminths. The origin, formation, functional ultrastructure and chemical composition of this peculiar layer remain enigmatic, although its function appears to be protective. The thick, electron-dense eggshell resembles that of other trematodes, exhibiting a characteristic fissure zone around the operculum. The very small, indistinct remnants of the outer embryonic envelope appear in the form of a very thin, compact, granular cytoplasm closely attached to the inner surface of the eggshell. Conversely, the inner embryonic envelope is frequently apparent at one or both poles of the developed egg as a syncytial envelope formed by the fusion of mesomeres. This envelope, even in eggs containing a fully formed miracidium, still has the features of a metabolically active layer with an energy storage capability. Lysosome-like structures observed in some eggs may be involved in the autolysis of the embryonic envelopes.     

Starfish sperm-oocyte jelly binding triggers functional changes in cortical granules. A study using acid phosphatase and ruthenium red ultrastructural histochemistry

Starfish oocytes were examined before fertilization, immediately after insemination, and during the cortical reaction by means of acid phosphatase and ruthenium red ultrastructural histochemistry. Oocyte cortical granules are composed of a lamellar body and a surrounding matrix which is subdivided into dense and light portions. In unfertilized oocytes cortical granules are not stained by ruthenium red but show a weak acid phosphatase activity in the light portion of the granule matrix. Immediately after the adhesion of the spermatozoon to the oocyte jelly coat, the light matrix portion of cortical granules appears stained by ruthenium red and shows a strong acid phosphatase activity. During the cortical reaction, cortical granules are released into the perivitelline space and the lamellar body, surrounded by the stained matrix, fuses with the fertilization envelope. Our data suggest that membrane permeability changes and enzyme activation occur in the egg when the spermatozoon binds to the oocyte jelly coat.     

On the contents of the cortical granules from Xenopus laevis eggs

The extruded contents of the cortical granules in eggs of Xenopus laevis were solubilized by exposure to divalent metal ion chelators. Chelator extraction of cortical granule (CG) material from intact fertilized or artificially activated eggs was quantitated by fluorescence spectroscopy. The isolated fertilization envelope, formed upon interaction between CG material and the preexisting vitelline envelope, was also subject to extraction. An ultrastructural analysis revealed that chelator exposure resulted in the disruption of the structural integrity of the CG-derived F-component of the fertilization envelope. CG material was isolated from Xenopus ova by three procedures: (1) extrusion from artificially activated, dejellied eggs; (2) extraction of intact, fertilized eggs; and (3) extraction of isolated fertilization envelopes. Only 4–5% of the CG protein recovered by extrusion or by extraction of the intact fertilized egg could be associated with the isolated fertilization envelopes. One predominant polypeptide fraction with an identical relative mobility was demonstrated in all CG preparations upon polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis in SDS. Polymeric forms of CG protein were detected in chelator extracted preparations. The presence of an intact jelly coat during CG breakdown was a prerequisite to the transformation of the vitelline envelope to a fertilization envelope with altered physicochemical characteristics. Further, the CG-derived F-component of the fertilization envelope did not appear to play a critical role in determining the physicochemical properties of the fertilization envelope.     

Fine structural investigation of the insemination response in Urechis caupo.

Electron microscopy of Urechis eggs revealed no changes in the egg cortex or investing layers until 4 min after insemination at 172C. From 4 min to about 30 min after insemination the surface coat gradually elevates, widening the perivitelline space. During this period, microvilli separate from the tightly woven layer of the surface coat, fibrogranular aggregates resembling surface coat material appear in the perivitelline space, and some cortical granules are extruded from the egg cortex into cytoplasmic processes. There is no statistically significant decrease in the number of cortical granules remaining in the egg surface during the first 95 min after insemination; many cortical granules persist in postgastrulae. Most of the cortical granules remain in fertilized eggs after removal of the surface coat with glucose-EGTA. We found no morphological correlates of the polyspermy block which is established within 1 min of insemination (Paul, 1975).     

Eggshell fine structure of three lepidopteran pests: Cydia pomonella (L.) (Tortricidae), Heliothis virescens (Fabr.), and Spodoptera littoralis (Boisd.) (Noctuidae)

The eggshells of 3 moths, Cydia pomonella (Tortricidae), Heliothis virescens, and Spodoptera littoralis (Noctuidae) were investigated by scanning (SEM) and transmission (TEM) electron microscopy. The surface of the noctuid eggs shows structural elements (micropylar rosette, ribs, cross-ribs, and aeropyles) and regional differentiation, all typical of Lepidoptera. The egg of C. pomonella shows a different regional morphology due to its watch-glass shape and its position, lying on the flank. The micropylar structures are on the lower egg face in contact with the substrate. For S. littoralis, the surface structure (sculpturing) of the egg is not species-specific, being indistinguishable from that of S. frugiperda (Salkeld, 1984).In all 3 moths, the eggshell fine structure is basically identical, as revealed by TEM. Both the vitelline envelope and the chorion consist of several distinct layers. The vitelline envelope, bi-layered and several μm thick, undergoes a marked structural change when embryogenesis begins. At the same time, Golgi vesicles bearing dense particles, appear in the periplasm of the egg cell in fertilized eggs of H. virescens and S. littoralis. The chorion of all 3 species consists of a basal layer (C-1), a cavity layer (C-2) supported by trabecles and opening to the exterior via aeropylar canals, and a lamellar layer (C-3), which probably consists of helicoidally arranged stacks of fibrils. In H. virescens and S. littoralis, an additional epicuticle-like layer (C-4) is present. Available data from the literature are summarized and a basic scheme of the radial eggshell fine structure of ditrysian Lepidoptera is proposed.