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Proacrosome and acrosome of the spermatozoon in Acanthobdella peledina (Annelida: Clitellata)

1996; Taylor & Francis; Volume: 29; Issue: 3 Linguagem: Inglês

10.1080/07924259.1996.9672516

2157-0272

WILFRED WESTHEIDE, Günter Purschke,

Parasite Biology and Host Interactions

Summary Proacrosome and acrosome of the primitive leech Acanthobdella peledina are described by means of transmission electron microscopy. The proacrosome develops in early spermatids and has the shape of a pot-bellied urn with an opening towards the nucleus. Its wall is formed by a thin vesicle. In its interior, many sections of tubular structures are visible. This urn is seated atop a short, electron-dense tube. The resultant acrosome is unusually elongated, with a helically coiled acrosomal tube forming its base. Above the tube the thin acrosomal vesicle encloses a central space, within which is the acrosomal rod. The acrosomal structures clearly indicate a sister-group relationship to the Euhirudinea, but do not corroborate the notion of close kinship with the Branchiobdellidae.