ISSN:
1573-5117
Keywords:
spermatozoa
;
Tubificidae
;
oligochaete ultrastructure
;
taxonomy
;
phylogeny
Source:
Springer Online Journal Archives 1860-2000
Topics:
Biology
Notes:
Abstract The spermatozoa of seven species of tubificid oligochaete were compared to those already described in order to supply spermatozoal characters for systematic work on Tubificidae. The spermatozoa of Clitellio arenarius (subfamily Tubificinae) resemble those of the two other known members of the subfamily (Tubifex tubifex and Tubificoides amplivasatus) in being of two different types and in showing the same morphology of acrosomes and nuclei. Among Phallodrilinae, the three gutless species Inanidrilus bulbosus, Inanidrilus leukodermatus and Olavius planus share with Bathydrilus formosus the shape of the nucleus and various characters of the acrosome, whereas Thalassodrilus prostatus is particular in having the acrosome vesicle external to the tube and the longest middle piece recorded in oligochaetes. Monopylephorus limosus and Rhizodrilus russus (Rhyacodrilinae) differ widely in acrosomal and nuclear characters: M. limosus has a twisted nucleus, whereas R. russus has an apically flanged nucleus with a conspicuous apical concavity and an endonuclear canal. The data published on spermatozoa of the Limnodriloidinae are reviewed.
Type of Medium:
Electronic Resource
URL:
http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/BF00142325
