title: Ultrastructural morphology of the male and female genital tracts of Psoroptes spp. (Acari: Astigmata: Psoroptidae).
abstract: The structure of the male and female genital systems of the astigmatid mite Psoroptes ovis (Hering) is described. The male genital system is composed of a paired testis, fused at its proximal part, two vasa deferentia, an ejaculatory duct, into which a single accessory gland opens, and a copulatory organ. The testis is characterized by a peripheric syncytial cell surrounding spermatogonia, spermatocytes, spermatids and spermatozoa which are distributed regularly in the gonad according to the sequence of spermatogenesis. The female genital system consists of a copulatory pore (the bursa copulatrix), a seminal receptacle, paired ovaries and oviducts, a glandular uterus and an ovipositor which leads to the oviporus. Ovaries are composed of somatic cells, germ cells and a central cell, with a multilobular nucleus, connected to oocytes by a stalk. Similarities with other astigmatic mites belonging to Psoroptidia and Acaridia are also discussed.
authors.affiliation: Service of Parasitology and Pathology of Parasitic Diseases, Department of Infectious Diseases, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Liège, Boulevard de Colonster 20, B43, 4000 Liège, Belgium. mireille.lekimme@ulg.ac.be
authors.forename: Mireille
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Lekimme
authors.forename: Michèle
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Leclercq-Smekens
authors.forename: Chantal
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Devignon
authors.forename: Thierry
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Leclipteux
authors.forename: Yves
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Poumay
authors.forename: Bertrand
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Losson
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D005260:Female; D005836:Genitalia, Female / Q000648:ultrastructure*; D005837:Genitalia, Male / Q000648:ultrastructure*; D008297:Male; D040042:Psoroptidae / Q000648:ultrastructure*