Summary
The spermatozoa of two closely related species of ophiuroids, Ophiocoma echinata and Ophiocoma wendti, were examined ultrastructurally. Morphologically, these spermatozoa resemble those of other non-echinoid echinoderms. The acrosomal complex, completely contained within an anterior fossa in the spherical nucleus, consists of a membranelimited acrosomal vesicle and periacrosomal material. Events of the acrosomal reaction in O. echinata and O. wendti are presented. In both species, the reaction results in the establishment of an extracellular coat of acrosomal vesicle origin on the anterior surface of the spermatozoon. The possible role of this extracellular coat in the species-specific binding of sperm and ova is discussed. The origin of acrosomal tubule membrane is elucidated.
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The authors wish to acknowledge the assistance of Mr. Richard Turner in obtaining the organisms used in this investigation. This investigation was supported by NSP grant GB34211 and a University of Maine Faculty Research Award to RGS. The EM201 microscope at BBS provided courtesy of Philips, Inc. and Lico, Inc. Bermuda Biological Station Contribution No. 571.
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Hylander, B.L., Summers, R.G. An ultrastructural investigation of the spermatozoa of two ophiuroids, Ophiocoma echinata and Ophiocoma wendti: Acrosomal morphology and reaction. Cell Tissue Res. 158, 151–168 (1975). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00219958
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00219958