MORPHOLOGY OF THE MATURE SPERMATOZOON OF PHYSA ACUTA (DRAPARNAUD, 1801) (GASTROPODA: PHYSIDAE)

The morphology of the spermatozoon of Physa acuta (Draparnaud,1801) was examined using TEM. It was found to be of the modified-type,sharing characteristic features of other basommatophoran species.However, differences were noted in some cases, for example,in P. acuta the nucleus was torpedo-shaped with two helicalkeels, the midpiece possessed a maximum of three glycogen helices,the end piece was long and tapered and the total length of thespermatozoon was 365 µm. No identical spermatozoa havebeen found in other basommatophoran gastropods studied so far.If spermatozoon morphology is unique for individual specieswithin the genus Physa, it may provide a useful taxonomic toolin helping to clarify the uncertainty that surrounds the systematicsof this genus. (Received 26 February 1990; accepted 28 June 1990)