Structure of the reproductive system of the sexual generation of the endemic Arctic species Acyrthosiphon svalbardicum and its temperate counterpart Acyrthosiphon pisum (Hemiptera, Aphididae)

Abstract

Abstract The Arctic aphids live briefly and must breed quickly to survive. Shortened life cycle, with only two generations: the stem mother and sexuales—oviparous females and males is an adaptation for optimal use of the short breeding period, which lasts from late July to the end of August. Using Acyrthosiphon svalbardicum, an endemic High Arctic aphid species, we describe the structure of the reproductive system of sexual morphs and compare with its temperate counterparts, in particular the model organism the pea aphid Acyrthosiphon pisum. Generally, the histological composition and ultrastructure of reproductive system of sexuales of A. svalbardicum is broadly similar to the reproductive systems described already in other species of aphids. The unique characters include in both oviparous females and males an enormous layer of the fat body, adhering to the structures of the internal reproductive system. The greatly enlarged accessory glands of males accumulate a heterogenous secretion composed of irregularly organized bunches of spicule-like structures of high electron density embedded in fine and coarse granular material. This material, unknown among temperate counterparts of A. svalbardicum, during mating is transported from the accessory glands of the male to its ejaculatory duct, where it is mixed with the ejaculate, and then is transferred to the spermatheca of the oviparous female.