FINE-STRUCTURE OF THE MATURE SPERMATOZOON OF RHYNCHOCINETES-TYPUS CRUSTACEA DECAPODA
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Date
1983
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Abstract
R. typus spermatozoa obtained from the vas deferens have the shape of a round-headed nail. The head measures 30 .mu.m in diameter and 14 .mu.m of height. At the center of the flat face of the head emerges a single rigid spike of 53 .mu.m in length. Cross sections of this spike show that it has a wall of 0.4 .mu.m in thickness and a core of 0.6-0.8 .mu.m. The outer surface of the spike has a longitudinal striation. When the spermatozoa are placed in sea water it is possible to observe the unfolding of rays. The number of rays in different spermatozoa of the same individual varies from 9-13. Each ray is formed by a channel-like sheath that contains a rigid rod that occupies .apprx. 1/3 the length of the ray. This rod has a transverse striation with a periodicity of 185A. The rays are bound among them by a thin membranous sheet that is highly folded in vas deferens spermatozoa. At the distal end of each ray there is a rigid spine of 50 .mu.m in length. The nucleus is coplanar to the radial plane and it extends through the rays. The structure and ultrastructure of R. typus spermatozoa depart from that reported for spermatozoa of other Caridea species.