Karyotype, reproductive organs, and pattern of gametogenesis in Zorotypus hubbardi Caudell (Insecta: Zoraptera, Zorotypidae), with discussion on relationships of the order

For the first time, the karyotype is described in a representative of the order Zoraptera. Zorotypus hubbardi Caudell (Zorotypidae) have holokinetic chromosomes and male karotype of 2n = 38 (36 + neo-XY). Males possess two follicles in each testis and females have six panoistic ovarioles in each ovary. Oogenesis and, more closely, spermato genesis, including meiosis and sperm formation, have been studied. Based on the presence of panoistic ovaries and holokinetic chromosomes, Crampton's hypothesis that Zoraptera represent a group of Polyneoptera nearest to the origin of Paraneoptera is considered the most plausible.