Anatomical and Histological Study of the Alimentary Canal and Excretory System of Gonioctena fornicata (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae), Clover Leaf Beetle.

This study aimed to investigate the morphology and histology of the alimentary canal and excretory system of Gonioctena fornicata (Coleoptera, Chrysomelidae). The excretory system and the parts of the alimentary canal of G. fornicata were examined separately using a light microscope and a scanning electron microscope. In this species, the digestive tract consists of three parts: the foregut, the midgut, and the hindgut. Each part is further subdivided into distinct regions. The excretory system comprises four Malpighian tubules forming a cryptonephric complex. The proximal tubules are positioned at the junction between the posterior ventriculus and ileum, while the distal tubules connect at the ileum-colon junction. Although the general organization is consistent with that reported for other Coleoptera species, particularly those belonging to the family Chrysomelidae, the absence of both a proventriculus and gastric ceca represents a notable deviation. These findings provide new morphological data and contribute to a better understanding of digestive system variability within the family.