Notes on ovary structure in four species of adult dragonflies (Anisoptera: Gomphidae, Libellulidae)

Dragonflies have panoistic ovarioles. Here, some histological aspects are described in Aphylla theodorina (Gomphidae), Orthemis discolor, Pantala flavescens, and Perithemis mooma (all Libellulidae) from Brazil. Each ovary consists of a great number of pecnated ovarioles. A typical germanium, with undifferentiated germ cells, was not observed in these spp. In the vitellarium, 3 regions can be distinguished, viz. previtellogenic, vitellogenic and postvitellogenic. A single layer of follicular, often binucleated cells lines each follicle.