Ultrastructure of spermiogenesis and spermatozoa in Prorhynchus sp. (Platyhelminthes, Lecithoepitheliata, Prorhynchidae)

Summary

Mature sperm of Prorhynchus sp. have an elongated nucleus, multiple mitochondria and dense bodies, and two free axonemes which are located in grooves of the main shaft for much of their length. The axonemes are subterminally inserted and have the typical 9+ ‘1’ arrangement unique to Platyhelminthes and synapomorphic for taxa of Trepaxonemata. The testis follicles examined had small numbers of developing spermatids and very few mature sperm were present. During spermiogenesis, spermatids remain joined in clusters by distinctive bridges. In each spermatid two centrioles (with an intercentriolar body between them) give rise to free axonemes which grow out in opposite directions from each other. Indistinct ciliary rootlets are present. The axonemes are carried distally from the main spermatid mass on an elongating process and turn back towards the main spermatid mass. Nucleus, mitochondria and dense bodies move into the shaft, and the spermatid elongates before detaching from others in the cluster. This is the first detailed study of sperm and spermiogenesis in Lecithoepitheliata. Mature sperm are distinctly different from those of prolecithophorans, to which they are reputedly related, the latter having aflagellate sperm without dense bodies.

Key words:

• Spermiogenesis
• spermatozoa
• Prorhynchus sp.
• gametogenesis
• phylogeny
• turbellaria