Abstract
Mature sperm ofRugogaster hydrolagi exhibit the structure typical of Trematoda, with 2 axonemes of the 9+“1” pattern being incorporated into the sperm body, dorsal and ventral microtubules occurring in the principal region that contains the nucleus and mitochondrion, and a complete row of peripheral microtubules lying in the proximal region surrounding the two axonemes. During spermiogenesis, a zone of differentiation develops that comprises a row of microtubules along the cell membrane and an adjacent dense region along the nuclear membrane. The intercentriolar body and centrioles appear between the microtubules and the nucleus. Free flagella with striated rootlets grow out in opposite directions, the cell membrane protrudes and lengthens into a median cytoplasmic process (MCP), the nucleus and mitochondrion move into the MCP and the flagella rotate and eventually fuse with the process. A dense region develops in the spermatid shaft some distance from the proximal end, but it is not present in the mature sperm. The spermatid elongates and is eventually pinched off from the residual body at the level of the arching membranes after the rootlets and intercentriolar body have disappeared. Thus, spermatogenesis and sperm in the aspidogastreanRugogaster hydrolagi correspond to those in digenean Trematoda.
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This work was supported by grants from the Australian Research Council and the University of New England, Armidale
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Watson, N.A., Rohde, K. Ultrastructure of sperm and spermatogenesis ofRugogaster hydrolagi, Schell 1973 (Platyhelminthes, Trematoda, Aspidogastrea, Rugogastridae). Parasitol Res 78, 516–524 (1992). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00931574
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00931574