The ovary of Neotituria kongosana (Hemiptera, Cicadomorpha : Ledridae). Ultrastructure of the tropharium and terminal filament

Each of the 2 ovaries of Neotituria kongosana consists of 7 telotrophic ova rioles. Within the ovariole, the terminal filament, germarium, vitellarium, and pedicel can be distinguished. The terminal filaments are composed of d isc-shaped basal cells and elongated apical cells, oriented parallel to the long ovariole axis. The apical and lateral aspects of the tropharium are e ncompassed by a single layer of somatic cells termed inner sheath cells. Th ese cells are diversified into larger apical inner sheath cells (AISC) and much smaller lateral inner sheath cells (LISC). The tropharium is filled wi th numerous individual trophocytes (= nurse cells). All the trophocytes are surrounded by complete plasma membranes and are joined to a centrally loca ted trophic core by means of narrow cytoplasmic extensions, termed trophic processes. The terminal filament is separated from the rest of the ovariole by a relatively solid transverse septum. It is suggested that the material constituting the septum is synthesized by 2 types of cell, namely the AISC and the basal cells of the terminal filament. Anagenesis of hemipteran ova rioles is discussed in relation to the findings presented.