CYTOLOGICAL AND CYTOCHEMICAL STUDIES OF OOGENESIS OF POPILIUS DISJUNCTUS ILLIGER (COLEOPTERA-POLYPHAGA)

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Abstract
The ovaries of Popilius were studied over the adult life cycle beginning with the newly emerged adults and ending with breeding females. The diploid number of chromosomes was found to be 26 as reported by other authors. The structure of the ovariole is not compatible with the generally accepted classification of the Coleoptera. Various cytochemical procedures suggest that the follicle cells may be intimately concerned with oocyte growth processes. Microspectrophotometric measurements of Feulgen-stained nuclei indicate that during interphase the oogonial nuclei build up their DNA content to 4 times the amt. found in the spermatid. After division each daughter nucleus contains half the late interphase amt. The mature adult primary oocyte nuclei have a DNA content 4 times that of the spermatid. The cytological observations together with the photometric data suggest that the epithelium of the lateral oviducts is an endopolyploid tissue.