ULTRASTRUCTURAL-STUDY OF THE FOLLICULAR EPITHELIUM IN OOCYTES OF PACHYCONDYLA (NEOPONERA) VILLOSA ANTS (HYMENOPTERA, PONERINAE)

Insect oocytes are surrounded by the follicular epithelium which is si mple and cuboidal, wih the mainly functions of: synthesis of vitellin membrane and chorion and synthesis and transport of hemolymph products (proteins). In Pachycondyla (Neoponera) villosa ants workers aged les s than 10 days do not present the formation of ovarian follicles (oocy tes, nurse cells and follicular cells) indicating that vitellogenesis starts at approximately 10 days of age. Studies of participation of th e follicular epithelium in Pachycondyla (Neoponera) villosa showed tha t in stage I oocytes the epithelium does not present the opening of in tercellular spaces. In stage II these spaces begin to be observed toge ther with separation of the follicular epithelium from the oocyte surf ace. In stage III two types of material were observed in the intercell ular spaces: electrodense material in the basal region and compacted m aterial in apical one as well as follicular epithelium/oocytes interfa ce suggesting that the extraovarian material that reach oocytes underg oes some type of modification during passage through the intercellular spaces. The follicular epithelium spaces in queen are bigger than in workers oocytes.