Sperm transfer in the antCarebara vidua F. Smith (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) |
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| Authors: | H. G. Robertson |
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| Affiliation: | (1) Zoology Department, University of the Witwatersrand, P.O. Wits 2050, Johannesburg, South Africa;(2) Present address: Life Sciences Division, South African Museum, P.O. Box 61, 8000 Cape Town, South Africa |
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| Abstract: | Summary Sperm transfer in the myrmicine antCarebara vidua was studied by making histological sections of newly mated queens. Queens are multiply inseminated, and longitudinal sections through the sperm- filled vagina show that the bundle of sperm from each male is enclosed in a layer of accessory gland secretion terminating in a plug of secretion in the female's vaginal orifice. This spermatophore breaks down soon after mating. The huge quantity of sperm packed into the spermatheca (ca. 16 mm3) suggests that the queen lays a large number of eggs in her lifetime, confirmed by the average of 1672 ovarioles in the two ovaries. |
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| Keywords: | Carebara vidua sperm transfer copulation ovariole number |
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