Abstract

Sperm ultrastructure and some steps of spermatogenesis of the serpulids Hydroides dianthus, Serpula vermicularis and Vermiliopsis infundibulum are reported. In all the species examined the germinal cells originated from a germinative epithelium associated to blood vessels in the intersegmental septa. The spermatocytes were irregular in shape with a large nucleus and a thin cytoplasmic layer. In early spermatids in which the nucleus gradually condensed, a developed endoplasmic reticulum and some electron-dense bodies were observed. The nucleus was dehydrated in the late spermatids and assumed a cylindrical shape. In all the examined species, the morphology of the ripe spermatozoa can be ascribed to the ect-aquasperm type. The acrosome had a simple cup shape in V. infundibulum, whilst it was more developed extending laterally to the nucleus in H. dianthus, and cup-shaped with a swelling towards the nucleus in S. vermicularis. When the morphology of the serpulid spermatozoa was superimposed on a phylogenetic scheme, some trends could be highlighted. Although the paucity of data on serpulid spermatozoa ultrastructure at present prevents any phylogenetic inference, the comparison of acrosome ultrastructure within a group having similar reproductive strategies showed an increase in the internal complexity of the acrosome.

Autore Pugliese

• Giangrande Adriana

Tutti gli autori

• M. Gherardi , E. Lepore , M. Sciscioli , M. Mercurio , M. Licciano , A. Giangrande

Titolo volume/Rivista

THE ITALIAN JOURNAL OF ZOOLOGY

Anno di pubblicazione

2011

ISSN

1125-0003

ISBN

Non Disponibile

Numero di citazioni Wos

Nessuna citazione

Ultimo Aggiornamento Citazioni

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Numero di citazioni Scopus

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Ultimo Aggiornamento Citazioni

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Settori ERC

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Codici ASJC

Non Disponibile