Abstract
Spermatozoa are produced by males of the fish-parasitic copepod, Lernaeocera branchialis, on the flounder (Platichthysflesus) host and packaged into spermatophores. Mature spermatozoa from spermatophores have been investigated with light microscopy and t.e.m. and s.e.m. techniques. Each is a filiform cell up to 30 μm long and 1 μm in diameter. being symmetrically tapered at each end to produce a ‘javelin-shaped’ configuration. Surface s.e.m. appearances suggest that the cell is helically twisted. The spermatozoon possesses no flagellum, no nuclear envelope, no mitochondria and no orthodox acrosome. For most of its length the cell has a four-lobed appearance in transverse section and contains little more than a cylindrical sleeve of pseudomembranous material with which is associated finely filamentous or granular material which is assumed to be nuclear chromatin. The spermatozoon is immobile in seawater.
The ultrastructure of L. branchialis spermatozoa has been compared with that of eight other copepod species.
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Grant, H.J., Whitfield, P.J. (1988). The ultrastructure of the spermatozoon of Lernaeocera branchialis (Copepoda: Pennellidae). In: Boxshall, G.A., Schminke, H.K. (eds) Biology of Copepods. Developments in Hydrobiology, vol 47. Springer, Dordrecht. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-009-3103-9_70
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-009-3103-9_70
Publisher Name: Springer, Dordrecht
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