Sperm ultrastructure and spermiogenesis of Coniopterygidae (Neuroptera, Insecta)

Arthropod Struct Dev. 2008 Sep;37(5):410-7. doi: 10.1016/j.asd.2008.03.001. Epub 2008 Mar 28.

Abstract

The spermiogenesis and the sperm ultrastructure of several species of Coniopterygidae have been examined. The spermatozoa consist of a three-layered acrosome, an elongated elliptical nucleus, a long flagellum provided with a 9+9+3 axoneme and two mitochondrial derivatives. No accessory bodies were observed. The axoneme exhibits accessory microtubules provided with 13, rather than 16, protofilaments in their tubular wall; the intertubular material is reduced and distributed differently from that observed in other Neuropterida. Sperm axoneme organization supports the isolated position of the family previously proposed on the basis of morphological data.

Publication types

  • Comparative Study
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Axoneme / ultrastructure
  • Insecta / anatomy & histology*
  • Insecta / physiology
  • Italy
  • Male
  • Microscopy, Electron, Transmission
  • Phylogeny
  • Species Specificity
  • Spermatogenesis / physiology*
  • Spermatozoa / ultrastructure*