Abstract
The paired copulatory stylets of the hermaphroditicMicrophthalmus cf.listensis are hard cone-shaped tubes with a syringe-like distal opening and a cuff-like lower edge and surround the external openings of the two ejaculatory ducts. They each lie in a deeply invaginated epidermal fold and are attached basally to an elongated muscle bulb, which is composed of a number of disc-like muscle cells. A prominent gland is situated behind the stylets. Transfer of sperm into the partner occurs probably by mechanical hypodermal injection. Hereby, the epidermal folds are protruded as small sacks, pulling out the stylets. The development of the entire male genital apparatus occurs in autumn when the animals have about 16 setigerous segments. During this differentiation, two elongated papillae arise. They consist of various well defined cells, some of which border a central ciliated lumen. The stylet tubes arise by transformation of the at first normal cuticle of these papillae into a hard electron-dense wall.
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