Description of a copulating pair of the flea species Megabothris abantis (Rothschild, 1905) (Siphonaptera: Ceratophyllidae)

Authors

• Michael W. Hastriter, Monte L. Bean Life Science Museum, Brigham Young University, Provo, UT 84602Follow
• Josh R. Pletcher, Department of Biology, Northern Michigan University, Marquette, MIFollow
• Cassie M. Stitzman, Department of Biology, Northern Michigan University, Marquette, MIFollow
• Kurt E. Galbreath, Department of Biology, Northern Michigan University, Marquette, MIFollow

Abstract

The morphological examination of Megabothris abantis (Rothschild) during copulation is illustrated and discussed. A thorough review of studies previously conducted on copulation of various flea species is also provided. Copulatory details of M. abantis do not differ greatly from those described in studies of other Ceratophyllidae; however, specific aspects of the anatomical structures and how they function during copulation are shown. The male telomere is adorned with three spiniform setae on its ventral margin. A description of how this movable structure and its specialized spiniform setae physically interface with the female seventh sternite during coitus is provided for the first time. Although M. abantis has two penis rods of similar size, it appears that only one is extended beyond the sclerotized inner tube or the fistula. The potential function of the female sensilium in copulation is discussed, and additional elaboration on the morphological features of the genitalia of M. abantis is presented. Based on current knowledge, additional study of the morphology and copulatory mechanism of fleas in families other than Ceratophyllidae, Pulicidae, and Ctenophthalmidae is warranted.


En este trabajo, se ilustra y se discute el examen morfológico de Megabothris abantis (Rothschild) durante la cópula. También se proporciona una revisión exhaustiva de estudios realizados previamente sobre la cópula en diversas especies de pulgas. Los detalles copulatorios de M. abantis no difieren en gran medida de los descritos en estudios de otros Ceratophyllidae; sin embargo, se muestran aspectos específicos de las estructuras anatómicas y su funcionamiento durante la cópula. El telómero del macho está provisto de tres setas espiniformes en su margen ventral. Se describe por primera vez cómo esta estructura móvil y sus setas espiniformes especializadas interactúan físicamente con el séptimo esternito de la hembra durante el coito. Aunque M. abantis posee dos varillas penianas de tamaño similar, parece que solo una se extiende más allá del tubo interno esclerotizado o la fístula. Se analiza la función potencial del sensilio de la hembra durante la cópula y se presentan detalles adicionales sobre las características morfológicas de los genitales de M. abantis. Con base en el conocimiento actual, se justifica la necesidad de estudiar la morfología y el mecanismo copulatorio en familias de pulgas distintas a Ceratophyllidae, Pulicidae y Ctenophthalmidae.

Recommended Citation

Hastriter, Michael W.; Pletcher, Josh R.; Stitzman, Cassie M.; and Galbreath, Kurt E. (2026) "Description of a copulating pair of the flea species Megabothris abantis (Rothschild, 1905) (Siphonaptera: Ceratophyllidae)," Western North American Naturalist: Vol. 86: No. 3, Article 7.
Available at: https://scholarsarchive.byu.edu/wnan/vol86/iss3/7