STUDIES ON SPERMATHECA IN THE VIVPAROUS FLESH FLY PARASARCOPHAGA HIRTIPES WIEDERMANN (DIPTERA : INSECTA)

The three spermathecae present in the viviparous fleshfly Phirtipes open separately by their respective spermathecal duct into the common Oviduct. There are two types of cells, (i) epithelial cells surrounding the chitinous intima of the spermatheca and the cuticular lining of the spermathecal duct and (ii) large glandular cells at the anterior end of the spermatheca only. The cuticular shell of the spermatheca comprises two layers, the outer light brown and inner dark brown. Below the spermatheca bulb there are 8 to 9 chitinous spiral ring which is specific of this fly. Each gland cell acts as a unit gland as it pours its secretion individually into the spermathecal lumen by an efferent ductule. Histochemically the secretory granules in the gland cells and the secretion in the lumen of the spermatheca consist of proteins (SS, SH, NH2 groups and basic proteins), 1:2 glycol groups, glycogen and lipids.