Fj. Carver et al., Spermatophore production and spermatheca content in Tenebrio molitor infected with Hymenolepis diminuta, J INSECT PH, 45(6), 1999, pp. 565-569
Male and female Tenebrio molitor act as intermediate hosts for metacestodes
of the rat tapeworm, Hymenolepis diminuta. It is known that the bean-shape
d accessory glands of infected males exhibit an extended growth period and
are significantly larger than those from noninfected males by day 10 after
emergence. We wished to determine whether more material is transferred from
these glands into the spermatophores. Here we report that the protein cont
ent and trehalase activity of spermatophores produced by bean-shaped access
ory glands from infected males is elevated. However, protein transferred to
the female spermatheca during mating was not affected by the infection sta
tus of the male. No evidence of transfer of trehalase to the spermatheca wa
s detected but spermatheca from virgin, infected females contained signific
antly greater trehalase activity than those from noninfected females. (C) 1
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