Reproductive biology of the viviparous scorpion,Liocheles australasiae (Fabricius) (Arachnida,Scorpiones, Ischnuridae) III. Structural types and functional phases of the adult ovary |
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Authors: | TOSHIKI MAKIOKA |
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Affiliation: | Institute of Biological Sciences, University of Tsukuba , Tsukuba, 305, Japan Phone: (0298) 53-4669, (0298) 53-4651 Fax: (0298) 53-4669, (0298) 53-4651 |
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Abstract: | Summary Five structural types of the adult ovary were distinguished in a parthenogenetic viviparous scorpion Liocheles australasiae based on the presence or absence of swollen ovarian diverticula (SD) containing embryos and/or empty ones (ED) as remnants of past pregnancies. These structural types seem to correspond to the following ovarian functional phases: the ovary (1) with SD and without ED corresponds to the first pregnancy; (2) without SD and with ED to after the first parturition; (3) with SD and ED to the second pregnancy; (4) without SD and with old and new ED to after the second parturition; and (5) with SD and old and new ED to the third pregnancy. Such correspondence indicates that a female can repeat pregnancies at least three times. Some possible cases in which the present structural types correspond to other functional phases were also discussed. |
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Keywords: | Viviparous scorpion ovarian structure repetitive pregnancy |
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