Spermiogenesis and structure of spermatozoa in the oribatid mite,Hafenrefferia gilvipes (C.L. Koch) (Acari,Oribatida)

The process of spermiogenesis and the structure of spermatozoa in the mite, Hafenrefferia gilvipes (Koch) were studied ultrastructurally. Spermiogenesis was divided into six stages. The spermatids at stage 1 have the usual structure. At stage 2 the structure of the mitochondria and their distribution in the spermatid start to change, leading to the formation of specific mitochondrial derivatives which are subsequently incorporated into the nucleus of the spermatozoon. Parallel to the transformation of mitochondria occurs a reorganization of the nuclear material. The fully formed spermatozoon has a tadpole-like shape, with the cell nucleus located in the distended part of the cell, and containing mitochondrial derivatives in its karyoplasm. Acrosome, flagellum and centrioles are absent. The participation of peripherally distributed microtubules, present in spermatids at stages 4 to 6, in the shaping of the spermatozoon has been suggested.