Comparative morphology of the internal female genitalia in two species of Mantophasmatodea

Abstract

The female internal reproductive anatomy of two mantophasmatodean species, Karoophasma biedouwense and Viridiphasma clanwilliamense, is described in detail using X-ray micro-computed tomography, light microscopy, and scanning electron microscopy. We identified paired ovaries containing panoistic ovarioles, a spermatheca surrounded by an epithelium of glandular structure, together with a spermathecal duct surrounded by muscle cells. Tubular accessory glands, which are present in many insects, are missing throughout the female genital tract of heelwalkers. Therefore, we suggest that the gland cells included in the epithelium of the ventral genital chamber of heelwalkers produce the secretions used for building egg pods in which eggs and sand are glued together. The two species investigated differ in the number of ovarioles per ovary and in the shape of their spermatheca. This investigation adds to the scarce information on mantophasmatodean internal genitalia and provides a basis for further research on reproductive behavior in heelwalkers.