Morphology and structure of adult male genitalia of Brachytrupes megacephalus Lefebvre, 1827 (Orthoptera, Gryllidae) in the southeast of Algeria

Abstract

Depending to the few and old data which have been conducted on the body morphology of Brachytrupes megacephalus Lefebvre, 1827 (Orthoptera, Gryllidae), we have investigated the structure of male genitalia in Algerian Sahara species to establish a basis for morphological study. The study was conducted in the laboratory of entomology in the experimental station of Sidi Mehdi. After isolation of the male genital apparatus, we find that its structure is consisted by the testis, accessory gland, ejaculatory duct and the phallic complex. The last organ is composed of epiphalus, guiding rod, ectoparamere, endoparamere, dorsal and median pouch. The spermatophore produced by Brachytrupes megacephalus was investigated in detail. Besides the study of the spermatophore size (8 mm), morphology, and formation, spermatophore is composed of the ampulla (3.9 mm), attachment plate (2.8 mm) and the tube (1.5 mm). The present paper aims to improve this information, on the species of B. megacephalus.