An ultrastructural study of spermiogenesis in three species of Physalaemus (Anura, Leptodactylidae)

ABSTRACT

Ultrastructural aspects of spermiogenesis and testicular spermatozoa of three anuran amphibians, Physalaemus biligonigerus, P. fuscomaculatus and P. gracilis, were investigated by electron microscopy. The nuclei, middle pieces and tails of the three species were similar. In all cases, the nuclei were elongated and the acrosome consisted of a cone-shaped cap. The connecting pieces located in the flagellum implantation zone had transverse striations. The tails had a 9 + 2 axial filament pattern, a juxtaxonemal fiber and an undulating membrane. In contrast to other Leptodactylidae spermatozoa, no axial rod were observed in these Physalaemus species