Morphogenesis of accessory nuclei during final stages of oogenesis in Cosmoconus meridionator (Hymenoptera: Ichneumonidae).

Morphogenesis of accessory nuclei (AN) in chorionated oocytes of Cosmoconus meridionator is described. Initially, each AN contains two dense, morphologically distinct inclusions. During the final stages of postvitellogenesis, these inclusions undergo characteristic transformation that is followed by the extrusion of some substances from AN to the surrounding periplasm. Histo- and cytochemical tests indicate that both inclusions contain RNA, although their precise composition is different. Our results support previous suggestions on the involvement of AN in the distribution of morphogenetic signals.