Spermatozoa and sperm packages of the European troglophylous scorpion Belisarius xambeui Simon, 1879 (Troglotayosicidae, Scorpiones)

Abstract Studies on the sperm morphology in scorpions are rare, but the existing investigations already revealed a remarkable interfamiliar diversity. The present study reports for the first time on the spermatozoa and sperm packages of a representative of the family Troglotayosicidae, the troglophy...

Full description

Saved in:
Bibliographic Details
Published in:Tissue & cell 2008-12, Vol.40 (6), p.411-416
Main Authors: Vignoli, V, Klann, A.E, Michalik, P
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Acrosome - ultrastructure
Advanced Basic Science
Animals
Arachnida
Axoneme - ultrastructure
Cell Nucleus - ultrastructure
Classification
Europe
Genitalia, Male - cytology
Male
Microscopy, Electron, Scanning
Microscopy, Electron, Transmission
Phylogeny
Reproduction
Scorpiones
Scorpions - classification
Scorpions - cytology
Sperm aggregation
Sperm ultrastructure
Spermatozoa - ultrastructure
Taxonomy
Vacuoles - ultrastructure
Citations: Items that this one cites
Items that cite this one
Online Access:Get full text
Tags: Add Tag
No Tags, Be the first to tag this record!
Description
Summary:Abstract Studies on the sperm morphology in scorpions are rare, but the existing investigations already revealed a remarkable interfamiliar diversity. The present study reports for the first time on the spermatozoa and sperm packages of a representative of the family Troglotayosicidae, the troglophylous species Belisarius xambeui . The spermatozoa are characterized by (1) a thread-like nucleus, which is slightly bent anteriorly; (2) an asymmetrical cap-like acrosomal vacuole, which encloses the anterior tip of the nucleus; an acrosomal filament is absent; (3) an axoneme with a 9 + 0 microtubular pattern; (4) a midpiece consisting of elongated mitochondria coiling around the axoneme; the number can vary between 3 and 6 (mostly 4). At the end of spermiogenesis, the spermatozoa aggregate in order to form oval-shaped sperm packages in which all sperm cells show the same orientation. A single package consists of approximately 150 sperms. A secretion sheath is always absent. The present results might provide new characters for further systematic studies and their phylogenetic implications are briefly discussed.
ISSN:0040-8166
1532-3072
DOI:10.1016/j.tice.2008.04.002