Abstract
The ultrastructure of spermatozoa of the acotylean Phaenocelis peleca and the cotylean Boninia divae is described. All spermatozoa are filiform and biflagellate with a 9+"1" microtubular pattern in the axoneme. Sperm characters in P. peleca follow the morphologies described for other acotyleans, with axonemes exiting the sperm shaft at the distal end and remaining in close contact with the sperm membrane. The nucleus occupies the proximal region of the shaft, and two types of dense bodies and mitochondria are located at the distal end. Unlike other members of the Cotylea, the axonemes of B. divae spermatozoa are incorporated into the sperm shaft, leaving the shaft at some distance from the distal end and then remaining free. This type of morphology is characteristic for acotyleans. Additionally, the spermatozoa of B. divae contain only one type of dense bodies plus a unique structure, which we call a central core. The nucleus in this species is unique as well; it shows periodic constrictions and rings of electron-dense granules, characters that further contribute to the distinct status of Boniniidae.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Access this article
We’re sorry, something doesn't seem to be working properly.
Please try refreshing the page. If that doesn't work, please contact support so we can address the problem.
References
Bâ CT, Marchand B (1995) Spermiogenesis, spermatozoa and phyletic affinities in the Cestoda. In: Jamieson BG, Ausio J, Justine J-L (eds) Advances in spermatozoal phylogeny and taxonomy, vol 166. Museum National D’ Histoire Naturelle, Paris, pp 87–95
Ehlers U (1985) Phylogenetic relationships within the Platyhelminthes. In: Morris SC, George JD, Gibson R, Platt HM (eds) The origins and relationships of lower invertebrates. Oxford University Press, Oxford, pp 143–158
Faubel A (1983) The Polycladida, Turbellaria proposal and establishment of a new system. Part I the Acotylea. Mitt hambg zool Mus Inst 80:17–121
Faubel A (1984) The Polycladida, Turbellaria proposal and establishment of a new system. Part II the Cotylea. Mitt hambg zool Mus Inst 81:189–259
Hendelberg J (1965) On different types of spermatozoa in Polycladida, Turbellaria. Ark Zool 18:267–304
Hendelberg J (1969) On the development of different types of spermatozoa from spermatids with two flagella in the Turbellaria with remarks on the ultrastructure of the flagella. Zool Bidrag Uppsala 38:1–50
Hendelberg J (1974) Spermiogenesis, sperm morphology and biology of fertilization in the Turbellaria. In: Riser NW, Morse MP (eds) Biology of the Turbellaria. McGraw-Hill, New York, pp 148–164
Hendelberg J (1983) Platyhelminthes: Turbellaria. In: Adiyodi KG, Adiyodi RG (eds) Reproductive biology of invertebrates, Vol. II: Spermatogenesis and sperm function. Wiley, New York, pp 75–104
Hendelberg J (1986) The phylogenetic significance of sperm morphology in the Platyhelminyhes. Hydrobiologia 132:53–58
Justine J-L (1995) Spermatozoal ultrastructure and phylogeny in the parasitic Platyhelminthes. In: Jamieson BG, Ausio J, Justine J-L (eds) Advances in spermatozoal phylogeny and taxonomy, vol 166. Museum National D’ Histoire Naturelle, Paris, pp 55–86
Kubo-Irie M, Ishikawa M (1983) Spermiogenesis in the flatworm, Notoplana japonica with special attention to the organization of an acrosome and flagella. Dev Growth Differ 25:143–152
Lang A (1884) Die Polycladen (Seeplanarien) des golfes von neapel und der angrenzenden meeresabschnitte, eine monographie. Fauna Flora Golfes v Neapel, Leipzig
Liana KM, Litvaitis KM (2007) Comparative spermatology of selected polyclad flatworms (Platyhelminthes). J Morphol 268:891–897
Liana KM, Litvaitis KM (2010) Anatomy and ultrastructure of the male reproductive system of Pleioplana atomata (Platyhelminthes: Polycladida). Invertebr Biol 129:129–137
Rawlinson KA, Litvaitis MK (2008) Cotylea (Polycladida): a cladistic analysis of morphology. Invertebr Biol 127(2):121–138
Rohde K (1990) Phylogeny of Platyhelminthes, with special reference to parasitic groups. Int J Parasitol 20:979–1007
Watson NA (1999) Platyhelminthes. In: Adiyodi KG, Adiyodi RG, Jamieson BGM (eds) Reproductive biology of invertebrates, vol. 9A: progress in male gamete ultrastructure and phylogeny. Wiley, New York, pp 97–142
Watson NA (2001) Insights from comparative spermatology in the ‘turbellarian’ Rhabdocoela. In: Littlewood DTJ, Bray RA (eds) Interrelationships of the platyhelminthes. Taylor and Francis, London, pp 217–230
Watson NA, Rohde K (1995) Sperm and spermiogenesis of the ‘‘Turbellaria’’ and implications for the phylogeny of the phylum Platyhelminthes. In: Jamieson BG, Ausio J, Justine J-L (eds) Advances in spermatozoal phylogeny and taxonomy, vol 166. Museum National D’ Histoire Naturelle, Paris, pp 37–54
Acknowledgments
We thank Drs. Kate Rawlinson, Marcela Bolaños, and Sigmer Quiroga for discussions and help with collecting specimens. This study was supported by National Science Foundation grant DEB-0412932 and is Scientific Contribution No. 2440 from the New Hampshire Agricultural Experiment Station.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Corresponding author
Additional information
Communicated by T. Bartolomaeus.
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Liana, M.K., Litvaitis, M.K. Ultrastructure of the spermatozoa of the flatworms Phaenocelis peleca and Boninia divae (Platyhelminthes, Polycladida). Zoomorphology 129, 221–224 (2010). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00435-010-0114-8
Received:
Revised:
Accepted:
Published:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00435-010-0114-8