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(Reference retrieved automatically from Web of Science through information on FAPESP grant and its corresponding number as mentioned in the publication by the authors.)

Comparative study of sperm ultrastructure of Donax hanleyanus and Donax gemmula (Bivalvia: Donacidae)

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Author(s):
Introini, Gisele O. [1] ; Passos, Flavio D. [2] ; Recco-Pimentel, Shirlei M. [1]
Total Authors: 3
Affiliation:
[1] Univ Estadual Campinas, Dept Anat Biol Celular & Fisiol & Biofis, Inst Biol, BR-13083863 Campinas, SP - Brazil
[2] Univ Estadual Campinas, Inst Biol, Dept Biol Anim, BR-13083863 Campinas, SP - Brazil
Total Affiliations: 2
Document type: Journal article
Source: ACTA ZOOLOGICA; v. 94, n. 3, p. 261-266, JUL 2013.
Web of Science Citations: 3
Abstract

The ultrastructure of bivalve spermatozoa can be species-specific and often provides important taxonomic traits for systematic reviews and phylogenetic reconstructions. Young individuals of the Donacidae species Donax hanleyanus are often identified as samples of Donax gemmula. Hence, the spermatozoa ultrastructure of both species was described in the present work, aiming to identify characters that could be useful for further taxonomic and phylogenetic analyses. D.hanleyanus and D.gemmula spermatozoa were different especially in relation to acrosomal characteristics and chromatin condensation. The spermatozoon produced by D.hanleyanus had a nucleus (exhibiting granular chromatin with a rope-like appearance) capped by a long and conical acrosomal vesicle, which extended itself outward beyond the anterior nuclear fossa. Otherwise, the nucleus of the sperm cell of D.gemmula showed well-compacted chromatin, and its acrosome, which was partially inserted into the anterior nuclear fossa, had a bubble-like tip. In conclusion, the conspicuous ultra-structural differences found between the spermatozoan morphologies were helpful for the discrimination of the species. In conclusion, our results suggest that analyses of sperm ultrastructure of the bivalves in the family Donacidae can be valuable to investigate their taxonomic relatedness. The present results also contribute to assess the monophyletic status of the family. (AU)