SPERM STRUCTURE OF TRICHOPTERA .3. HYDROSYCHIDAE, POLYCENTROPODIDAE AND PHILOPOTAMIDAE (ANNULIPALPIA)

Spermatozoa from 9 species belonging to 3 families of trichopteran sub order Annulipalpia (Philopotamidae: Philopotamus ludificatus, P. monta nus, Wormaldia occipitalis, W. copiosa; Polycentropodidae: Plectrocnem ia geniculata, Polycentropus mortoni, P. irroratus, Cyrnus trimaculatu s; Hydropsychidae: Hydropsyche pellucidula) were studied by light, sca nning, and transmission electron microscopy. The absence of axonemal d ynein arms and a consequent sperm immotility are characteristic of the species studied. The presence of 7, rather than 2, central microtubul es is shared by Polycentropodidae and some Philopotamidae. A greater v ariability in the sperm axoneme was found within Philopotamidae than i n the other families. The species of the genus Wormaldia have an axial vesicle rather than microtubules and their axonemes have a 9+9+0 or 1 3+13+0 pattern. Hydropsychidae have spermatozoa provided with numerous finger-like appendages containing microtubular doublets. The progress ive loss of sperm flagellum and motility within the group is discussed .