Summary
The spermatozoa of Peregrinus maidis Ashm. are thread-like, approximately 650 μ long and 1 μ wide including the head (approximately 28 μ).
The main part of the spermatozoa consists of two mitochondria derivatives, a central body between them, the axial filament complex, and a newly found element consisting of two wing-shaped bodies. Each mitochondrion derivative shows a peripheral and an inner part. The peripheral part is formed by cristae arranged perpendicularly to the long axis of the spermatozoon. The cristae are approximately 70 Å wide. The dense layers between them measure approximately 280 Å. The inner part of the mitochondrion derivative shows a crystalline array, formed by sub-units of approximately 100 Å diameter. The wing-shaped bodies consist of tubular elements.
The head has an elongated nucleus with an electron transparent space inside. At the anterior end of the nucleus lies a tapered acrosome. This appears fibrous and parts of the acrosome fibers seem to run along the nucleus.
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Acknowledgements. The authors wish to thank Dr. G. H. Bergold for suggestions and support, Drs. J. André, D. W. Fawcett, P. Maillet and G. F. Meyer for very helpful discussion. They are also grateful to Mr. O. Suárez for assistance in the preparation of the organs of P. maidis and to Mrs. M. de Pingarrón for technical assistance.
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Herold, F., Munz, K. Ultrastructure of spermatozoa of Peregrinus maidis (Homoptera, Delphacidae). Zeitschrift für Zellforschung 83, 364–374 (1967). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00336865
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00336865