The Internal Anatomy of Corioxenos Antestiae Blair (Strepsiptera)

Abstract

The only other species of Strepsiptera of which the internal anatomy has been studied appear to be Xenos rossii and Stylops melittae (Nassonov, 1892-1893). It will be of interest to summarise the principal points in which the internal anatomy of Corioxenos antestiae resembles, or differs from, these species. The alimentary canal is of similar arrangement in all three species. The presence of the large epithelial cells which project into the lumen of the mesenteron and are later absorbed is of interest. The rectal caeca, which are probably homologous with similar organs described by Nassonov, are only slightly different in Corioxenos; they arise separately in two places and each of them branches, whereas in the other species they arise as three in one row, branching and anastomosing, and later being joined to the proctodaeum by a single canal. The nervous system in Corioxenos is more concentrated than in the other species. The abdominal ganglion is not separated from the sub-oesophageal nerve-mass in the female, and it is only separated by a short cord in the male. The circulatory and respiratory systems appear to be similar in all three species.