Spermatozoon structure of Acesta oophaga (Limidae), a cold-seep bivalve |
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| Authors: | Alan N. Hodgson Kevin J. Eckelbarger Valerie Hodgson Craig M. Young |
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| Affiliation: | 1. Department of Zoology &2. Entomology , Rhodes University , Grahamstown , South Africa a.hodgson@ru.ac.za;4. Darling Marine Center , The University of Maine , Walpole , MA , USA;5. Entomology , Rhodes University , Grahamstown , South Africa;6. Oregon Institute of Marine Biology , University of Oregon , Charleston , SC , USA |
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| Abstract: | The structure of the spermatozoon of Acesta oophaga (Bivalvia) is described by transmission electron microscopy. This cold-seep species produces ect-aquasperm, confirming that it is a broadcast spawner. The head of the sperm consists of a small, rounded, electron-dense nucleus, capped by a short conical acrosome, the contents of which are differentiated. The mid-piece contains a pair of orthogonally arranged centrioles surrounded by five spherical mitochondria. The gonad of one individual contained eggs and sperm, which supports the hypothesis that A. oophaga is a sequential hermaphrodite. |
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| Keywords: | Mollusca Bivalvia spermatozoa ultrastructure |
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