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Fine structure of the giant aflagellate spermatozoon in pseudostomum quadrioculatum (leuckart) (platyhelminthes, prolecithophora)

  • Ultrastructure
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Abstract

The giant aflagellate spermatozoa of P. quadrioculatum are composed of two different parts: a thicker head piece and a more slender tail piece. In the head there exist a large elongated nucleus and an elongated mitochondrial derivative situated in a groove-like cavity of the nucleus. In mature spermatozoa the nuclear material is arranged in many small membrane bounded areas. Both structures, nucleus and mitochondrial derivative, are spirally coiled. The outer part of the membrane in the mitochondrial derivative forms many loop-like foldings. Both organelles continue to the tail in form of two small, helically coiled ribbons; the nucleus is anchored within the mitochondrial derivative by an electron-opaque process. A sheath of spirally-orientated cortical microtubules starting from the tip of the head runs to the tip of the tail under the cell membrane. In addition, a second sheath of tubules occurs in the tail region, these tubules also run parallel to each other, but in the opposite direction to the microtubules of the outer sheath.

The possible relations between the structures observed and the motility of the spermatozoa are discussed; in addition, some phylogenetic comments are attempted.

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Abbreviations

c —:

cerebrum

com —:

cortical microtubules

cop —:

copulatory organ

fm —:

foldings of the mitochondrial membrane

l —:

lattice

mid —:

mitochondrial derivative

mt —:

microtubules

n —:

nucleus

ne —:

nuclear envelope

ph —:

pharynx

pn —:

protonephidium

rp —:

ribbon-like nuclear process

te —:

testis

tt —:

testis

tt —:

tip of the tail

vi —:

vitellarium

vs —:

vesicula seminalis

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  1. II. Zoologisches Institut und Museum der Univ. Göttingen, Berliner Strasse 28, D-3400, Göttingen, F.R.G.

    Ulrich Ehlers

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  1. Ulrich Ehlers
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Ehlers, U. Fine structure of the giant aflagellate spermatozoon in pseudostomum quadrioculatum (leuckart) (platyhelminthes, prolecithophora). Hydrobiologia 84, 287–300 (1981). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00026192

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