Spermiogenesis in three species of cicadas (Hemiptera: Cicadidae) |
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Authors: | Abraham S. Chawanji Alan N. Hodgson Martin H. Villet Allen F. Sanborn Polly K. Phillips |
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Affiliation: | Department of Zoology and Entomology, Rhodes University, PO Box 94, Grahamstown 6140, South Africa;;Barry University, School of Natural and Health Science, 11300 NE, 2nd Avenue, Miami Shores, FL, USA;;Florida International University, Department of Biological Sciences, 11200 SW, 8th Street, Miami, FL, USA |
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Abstract: | Spermiogenesis in three species of cicadas representing one cicadettine (Monomatapa matoposa Boulard) and two cicadines (Diceroprocta biconica [Walker] and Kongota punctigera [Walker]) was investigated by light and electron microscopy. Although spermiogenesis was occurring in the testis of adult males of all species, earlier spermiogenic stages were observed in D. biconica only. While spermiogenesis was similar to that described for other insects, some differences were noted. For example granular material did not assemble around the centriole to form a centriolar adjunct but did accumulate in the cytoplasm of early spermatids adjacent to a region of the nuclear membrane where nuclear pores were aggregated. In late spermatids this material accumulated anterior to the mitochondrial derivatives in a developing postero‐lateral nuclear groove. While this material has been named the ‘centriolar adjunct’ by previous authors, its formation away from the centriole raises questions about its true identity. Second, during acrosome maturation an ante‐acrosomal region of cytoplasm develops. Although present in later spermatids, this region is lost in spermatozoa. Interspecific variations in chromatin condensation patterns and the number of microtubule layers encircling the spermatid nucleus during spermiogenesis were noted. |
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Keywords: | proacrosomal granule chromatin condensation manchette centriolar adjunct nuclear pores |
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