Free Access
Issue
Apidologie
Volume 38, Number 6, November-December 2007
Page(s) 579 - 583
DOI https://doi.org/10.1051/apido:2007043
Published online 19 February 2008
Apidologie 38 (2007) 579-583
DOI: 10.1051/apido:2007043

Morphology of the cervical lobe of the endophallus in Apis mellifera drones

Lien Moors and Johan Billen

Zoological Institute, University of Leuven, Naamsestraat 59, 3000 Leuven, Belgium

(Received 16 July 2007 - Revised 14 September 2007 - Accepted 23 September 2007 - Published online 19 February 2008)

Abstract - We investigated the morphology and ultrastructure of the cervical lobes of Apis mellifera drones with respect to age. The lobe epithelium decreases while the cuticle thickness increases as the drone gets older. Ultrastructural study revealed that the lobe has no secretory function but possibly acts as an inflatable bag during copulation.


Key words: morphology / lobe / Apis mellifera / drones


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