The eggs of I. rufostigma are produced in the ovarioles and passed down the common lateral ducts into the lateral oviducts that posteriorly open into a common median oviduct (oviductus communis). This ultimately leads into the ’8th complex’ restricted to the 8th segment of the abdomen. The components of the ’8th complex’ are the vagina, its évagination the bursa copulatrix, and the spermatheca, the subsequent évagination of the bursa. The sperms are deposited by males into the bursa copulatrix, which together with the spermatheca stores them. The anteriormost part of the vagina has an oval-shaped lumen into which the oviductus communis and the bursa copulatrix open and where the fertilization of eggs takes place. Two accessory glands, present in the 9th segment, open into the posterior part of the vagina — the genital atrium — and pour a secretion which bathes the eggs passing for oviposition. The musculature associated with the ’8th complex’ was studied with the intent of observing its functional abilities.

Odonatologica

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Societas Internationalis Odonatologica

V.K. Srivastava, & B.K. Srivastava. (1992). Morphohistology and the functional aspects of the components of the ’8th complex’ in female Ischnura rufostigma Selys (Zygoptera: Coenagrionidae). Odonatologica, 21(2), 181–194.