L'activité de l'appareli reproducteur mâle pendant la vie imaginale chez deux espèces de Canthon (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae)

Abstract

The evolution of the reproductive apparatus in relation to the behavior of males is compared between C. indigaceus chevrolati and C. cyanellus cyanellus. The activity of the principal reproductive organs during prenidificatión (mature phase) and postnidification (end of the life phase) is similar in both species. During nidification (reproduction phase), considerable differences between the two species are present; the activity is continual in C. indigaceus chevrolati, and cyclical in C. cyanellus cyanellus. In this latter species periods of spermatogenesis, synthesis of glandular secretions and copulation alternate with periods of testicular degeneration with no spermatozoid production or secretions and no copulation.