Ultrastructure of mature male gametes of Nitella hyalina (Charales, Charophyta)

Abstract

Vouilloud A.A., Cáceres E.J. and Leonardi P.I. 2010. Ultrastructure of mature male gametes of Nitella hyalina (Charales, Charophyta). Phycologia 49: 508–511. DOI: 10.2216/09-111.1

This article describes the ultrastructure of male gametes of Nitella hyalina. Microtubular roots did not surround mitochondria completely. The number of microtubules varied from 12 to19 at the level of mitochondria, from 24 to 31 at the level of the nucleus and from 10 to 21 at different levels of the plastids. The three-membered root is clearly discernible only up to the level of mitochondria. At the rearmost level of the gamete, microtubules were separated in bunches of two to six microtubules each. Mature gametes of N. hyalina were compared with those of other species of Chara and Nitella. This comparative analysis suggests that certain male gamete ultrastructure traits are regularly dissimilar at genus level.

Key Words::

• Charales
• Male gametes
• Nitella hyalina
• Ultrastructure

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

This study is part of the PhD thesis of A.A.V. Funds have been provided by CIC (Comisión de Investigaciones Científicas de la Provincia de Buenos Aires, República Argentina), grant 578/08 and by the UNS (Universidad Nacional del Sur, SGCyT), grant PGI 24/B121. E.J.C. is a research member of CIC. P.I.L. is a research member of CONICET (Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas de la República Argentina).