Sperm structure of Oxyrhyncha

Abstract

Testis and sperm of several members of the superfamily Oxyrhyncha were fixed in 2.5% glutaraldehyde or a modified Karnovsky's (1965) paraformaldehyde–glutaraldehyde, postfixed in OsO4, embedded in Araldite, sectioned, and studied with the electron microscope. Brachyuran sperm have a globular acrosome which is surrounded by the nucleus from which several nuclear processes radiate. Between the acrosome and nucleus is the lamellar region, which may contain microtubules and mitochondria. The possibility of motility of the sperm and use as taxonomic aids is discussed.