Macro- and microscopic morphology of the reproductive system of the terrestrial snail Macrochlamys indica (Godwin-Austen, 1883) (Eupulmonata, Stylommatophora, Ariophantidae)

ABSTRACT

The morpho-anatomical and morphometrical characteristics of the reproductive system, together with the spermatophore and dart apparatus, of Macrochlamys indica are described and the results compared with available data of other Macrochlamys species. Histology of some reproductive structures such as the ovotestis, hermaphrodite duct, albumen gland, penis and dart shaft of M. indica are also studied. A muscular, brownish capsule is developed between the free oviduct and the vagina, here named as vaginoviducal capsule and its location is species-specific. The distal end of the vaginoviducal capsule bifurcates into a free oviduct and the duct of the gametolytic organ. The gametolytic sac of the gametolytic organ is a whitish, tubular structure that becomes pinkish and club-shaped in inseminated snails. Two to seven spermatophores are found in the pinkish gametolytic sac. The spermatophore is a whip-like, translucent structure. The epiphallus possesses a coiled epiphallic caecum to which a penial retractor muscle is attached. The penis is a short, muscular structure with a distinct penial caecum. The dart apparatus is well-developed, having four distinct parts. The proximal part of the dart apparatus possesses a non-disposable muscular dart. The dart shaft includes a central core which is encircled by many layers of circular muscle cells.

KEYWORDS:

• Gametolytic organ
• genitalia
• dart apparatus
• spermatophore
• vaginoviducal capsule

Acknowledgements

The author expresses his thanks to the Head and all other faculty members of the Department of Zoology; City College; Kolkata for their help with the histological components of this study. The author expresses his thanks to Dr. A. Mukherjee in the Mollusca section of the Zoological Survey of India, Kolkata, West Bengal, for the identification of the studied species and technical support for photographic services. The author also expresses his acknowledgments to Dr. Winston Ponder, Dr. Isabel Hyman and an anonymous reviewer for their constructive suggestions on the manuscript.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author.