Comparative ultrastructure of spermatozoa of the redclaw Cherax quadricarinatus and the yabby Cherax destructor (Decapoda, Parastacidae). (February 2015)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Kouba, Antonín; Niksirat, Hamid; Bláha, Martin
• Is Part Of: Micron. Volume 69(2015:Feb.)
• Page Start: 56
• Page End: 61
• Publication Date: 2015-02
• Subjects: Acrosome -- Crayfish -- Decapoda -- Spermatozoon -- Transmission electron microscopy; Microscopy -- Periodicals; Electron Probe Microanalysis -- Periodicals; Microscopy -- Periodicals; Microscopie -- Périodiques; Microscopy; Periodicals; 502.82
• DOI: 10.1016/j.micron.2014.11.002
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0968-4328

Abstract

Highlights: Ultrastructure of spermatozoa of redclaw and yabby were compared. Well-conserved general structure of the crayfish spermatozoon was confirmed. Acrosome is similarly-shaped but larger in redclaw than in yabby. Radial arms and extracellular capsule are lacking in both species. Abstract: Ultrastructure of spermatozoa of redclaw Cherax quadricarinatus and yabby Cherax destructor were described and compared. The acrosome complex and nucleus are located at the anterior and posterior region of the spermatozoon, respectively. The acrosome is a complex vesicle divided into two parts: the main body of the acrosome appears as a dense cup-shaped structure in longitudinal sagittal view, with the subacrosome zone occupying the central area of the vesicle. The acrosome is larger in C . quadricarinatus (width 2.37 ± 0.27 μm, length 1.31 ± 0.23 μm) than in C . destructor (width 1.80 ± 0.27 μm, length 1.01 ± 0.15 μm). There was no significant difference in L:W ratios of the studied species. The subacrosome zone in both species consists of two areas of different electron density. The nucleus is substantially decondensed and irregular in shape, with elaborate extended processes. The examined species exhibited a well-conserved structure of crayfish spermatozoon, similar to those of Cherax cainii and Cherax albidus . Small acrosome size, the absence of radial arms, and an extracellular capsule seem to be the morphological features that mostly distinguish Cherax from the Astacidae and Cambaridae.