Skip to main content
Log in

Unusual structures in the spermatial vesicles of the red algaErythrocystis montagnei

Plant Systematics and Evolution Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Electron microscopic observations on the membrane of the spermatial vesicles in the red algaErythrocystis montagnei are presented. A portion of this membrane is modified and more electron dense, with a layer of microtubules of about 20 nm. Generally, this membrane portion forms two paired bulges, appearing 3-shaped in cross-section. More rarely, two completely separate cylindrical bodies of about 0.3 µm diam. surrounded by membranes have been observed in the spermatial vesicles. The significance of these structures as possible vestigial remnants of flagella is discussed.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Bell, P. R., 1978: A microtubule-nuclear envelope complex in the spermatozoid ofPteridium. — J. Cell Sci.29, 189–195.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Bouck, G. B., 1969: Extracellular microtubules, The origin, structure, and attachment of flagellar hairs inFucus andAscophyllum antherozoids. — J. Cell. Biol.40, 446–460.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Cole, K., Sheath, R. G., 1980: Ultrastructural changes in major organelles during spermatial differentiation inBangia (Rhodophyta). — Protoplasma102, 253–279.

    Google Scholar 

  • Dillon, L., 1981: Ultrastructure, Macromolecules and Evolution. — New York: Plenum Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Dixon, P. S., 1973: Biology of theRhodophyta. — Edinburgh: Oliver & Boyd.

    Google Scholar 

  • Dodge, J. D., 1973: The fine structure of algal cells. — London, New York: Academic Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Fetter, F., Neushul, M., 1981: Studies on developing and released spermatia in the red alga,Tiffaniella Snyderae (Rhodophyta). — J. Phycol.17, 141–159.

    Google Scholar 

  • Friedländer, M., Wahrman, J., 1970: The spindle as a basal body distributor. A study in the meiosis of the male silkworm moth,Bombyx mori. — J. Cell Sci.7, 65–89.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Heath, I. B., 1974: A unified hypothesis for the role of membrane bound enzyme complexes and microtubules in plant cell wall synthesis. — J. Theor. Biol.48, 445–449.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • —, 1980: Variant mitoses in lower eukaryotes: indicators of the evolution of mitosis? — Int. Rev. Cytol.64, 1–80.

    Google Scholar 

  • Heywood, P., 1972: Structure and origin of flagellar hairs inVacuolaria virescens. — J. Ultrastruct. Res.39, 608–623.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Kugrens, P., 1974: Light and electron microscopic studies on the development and liberation ofJanczewskia gardneri Setch. spermatia (Rhodophyta). — Phycologia13 (4), 295–306.

    Google Scholar 

  • —, 1980: Electron microscopic observations on the differentiation and release of spermatia in the marine red algaPolysiphonia hendayi (Ceramiales, Rhodomelaceae). — Amer. J. Bot.67 (4), 519–528.

    Google Scholar 

  • Lessie, P. E., Lovett, J. S., 1968: Ultrastructural changes during sporangium formation and zoospore differentiation inBlastocadiella emersonii. — Amer. J. Bot.55, 220–236.

    Google Scholar 

  • Magne, F., 1964a: Recherches caryologiques chez lesFloridées (Rhodophycées). — Cah. Biol. Mar.5, 461–671.

    Google Scholar 

  • —, 1964b: La mitose calliblépharidienne de certainesRhodophycées. — C. R. Hebd. Séanc. Acad. Sci. Paris259, 3811–3812.

    Google Scholar 

  • Maier, I., Müller, G., 1982: Antheridium fine structure and spermatozoid release inLaminaria digitata (Phaeophyceae). — Phycologia21, 1–8.

    Google Scholar 

  • McDonald, K., 1972: The ultrastructure of mitosis in the marine red algaMembranoptera platyphylla. — J. Phycology8 (2), 156–166.

    Google Scholar 

  • Melchionna, M., de Masi, F., 1977: The fine structure of the vegetative cells ofErythrocystis Montagnei, a symbiotic red alga. — Cytobios20, 113–119.

    Google Scholar 

  • Mollenhauer, H. H., 1964: Plastic embedding mixtures for use in electron microscopy. — Stain Technol.39, 111–114.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Pickett-Heaps, J. D., 1969: The evolution of the mitotic apparatus: an attempt at comparative ultrastructural cytology in dividing plant cells. — Cytobios1, 257–280.

    Google Scholar 

  • Poirier, G. R., Nicholson, N., 1982: Fine structure of the testicular spermatozoa from the channel catfish,Ictalurus punctatus. — J. Ultrastr. Res.80, 104–110.

    Google Scholar 

  • Santisi, S., de Masi, F., 1981: An electron microscopic study on tetrasporogenesis of the parasitic red algaErythrocystis montagnei (Derb. etSol.)Silva. — Cytobios31, 163–178.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Schornstein, K. L., Scott, J., 1982: Ultrastructure of cell division in the unicellular red algaPorphyridium purpureum. — Canad. J. Bot.60, 85–97.

    Google Scholar 

  • Scott, J. L., Dixon, P. S., 1973: Ultrastructure of spermatium liberation in the marine red algaPtilota densa. — J. Phycol.9 (1), 85–91.

    Google Scholar 

  • Scott, J., Bosco, C., Schornstein, K., Thomas, J., 1980: Ultrastructure of cell division and reproductive differentiation of male plants in theFlorideophyceae (Rhodophyta): cell division inPolysiphonia. — J. Phycol.16, 507–524.

    Google Scholar 

  • —, 1981: Polar rings are persistent organelles in interphase vegetative cells ofPolysiphonia harveyi Bailey (Rhodophyta, Ceramiales). — Phycologia20 (4), 333–339.

    Google Scholar 

  • Simon-Bichard-Bréaud, J., 1971: Un apparéil cinétiques dans les gamétocystes males d'une Rhodophycée:Bonnemaisonia hamifera Hariot (Rhodophycée). — C. R. Acad. Sci. Paris Ser. D.273, 1272–1275.

    Google Scholar 

  • —, 1972b: Formation de la crypte flagellaire et evolution de son contenu au cours de la gamétogenèse male chezBonnemaisonia hamifera Hariot (Rhodophycée). — C. R. Acad. Sci. Paris Ser. D.274, 1796–1799.

    Google Scholar 

  • Tripodi, G., de Masi, F., 1977: The post-fertilization stages of red algae: the fine structure of the fusion cell ofErythrocystis. — J. Submicr. Cytol.9 (4), 389–401.

    Google Scholar 

  • —, —, 1978: A possible vestige of a flagellum in the fusion cell of the red algaErythrocystis montagnei. — J. Submicr. Cytol.10, 435–439.

    Google Scholar 

  • Young, D. N., 1977: A note on the absence of flagellar structures in spermatia ofBonnemaisonia. — Phycologia16, 219–222.

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

Authors

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Tripodi, G., de Masi, F. Unusual structures in the spermatial vesicles of the red algaErythrocystis montagnei . Pl Syst Evol 143, 197–206 (1983). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00986378

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00986378

Key words

Navigation