Ultrastructure d'une glande sternale tubuleuse des mâles de Speonomus hydrophilus (Coleoptera, Bathysciinae)

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Abstract
The tubular sternal glands of S. hydrophilus are tegumentary glands present only in the males and were until today unknown. They lie in the segments 6–8 and open between the 8th and 9th segment. They consist of a ramified epithelium made up of prismatic cells. The gland opening is composed of a porous plate connected to an internal cuticular complex. The porous plate itself consists of an epicuticular layer perforated by tiny pores, a mesocuticular layer with large pore canals reaching the pores, then a part with cuticular filaments. All around the porous plate, the mesocuticle makes up a cylindrical excrescence directed towards the secretory part, the free edge of which is prolonged by long mesocuticular plates called pseudomembranes; they are thin, parallel, and penetrate each of the gland cavities. Thus the tubular sternal glands appear as a ramified epidermal invagination; only the internal part of the cuticle is accompanying this invagination. The pseudomembranes might play the same role as an end apparatus for the secretory products. These glands may produce a sex pheromone which would allow the female to recognize the male.

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