Neotrops waorani Grismado and Ramírez, 2013

Lipke, Elisabeth & Michalik, Peter, 2015, Evolutionary Morphology Of The Primary Male Reproductive System And Spermatozoa Of Goblin Spiders (Oonopidae; Araneae), Bulletin of the American Museum of Natural History 2015 (396), pp. 1-72 : 24-28

Neotrops waorani Grismado and Ramírez, 2013

SPERM TRANSFER FORM ( fig. 16 ): Medium-sized (,9 Mm), oval-shaped synspermia,

comprising four sperm. Within the deferent ducts, numerous mitochondria are visible in the periphery of sperm conjugates; the cytoplasm appears granular ( fig. 16A, B ). Cross sections of several, fingerlike constrictions of the peripheral cytoplasm are visible ( fig. 16C ). The cytoplasm and constrictions further condense ( fig. 16D ), finally a distinct peripheral ring of these cytoplasmic constrictions is formed ( fig. 16E ). Synspermia are surrounded by a thick (, 200 nm), homogeneous secretion sheath ( figs. 16E, F ).

SPERMATOZOA ( fig. 16 ): Acrosomal complex: AV long, conical; wide subacrosomal space ( fig. 16B, D ). AF originates from the subacrosomal space, extends into the nuclear canal, but clearly ends before the base of the axoneme ( fig. 16F ). Nucleus: prcN indented at its anterior pole, irregularly condensed ( fig. 16B ), compact. peN flattened. NC located in the periphery, but empty for the most part. Axoneme: long, 9+3 microtubular pattern ( fig. 16A, B, F ).

NOTES ON SPERMIOGENESIS ( fig. 17 ): All stages of spermiogenesis are present in the testis. Spermatids of the same developmental stage are arranged in cysts. The large AV possesses a wide subacrosomal space, is accompanied by a collar of electron-dense secretions and secretion droplets ( fig. 17A ), and is partially sunken into the anterior pole of the nucleus. The AF originates from the subacrosomal space ( fig. 17A ) and extends into the NC ( fig. 17B, C ). The nucleus is surrounded by a manchette of microtubules. The chromatin appears fibrillar in mid spermatids, but condenses irregularly ( fig. 17C ). Late spermatids retain this condensation pattern ( fig. 17 E–G). The implantation fossa contains a small amount of spherical secretions ( fig. 17D ), the two centrioles ( fig. 17C, D ), and a collar of electron-dense plates that surround the base of the axoneme ( fig. 17E ). At the end of spermiogenesis main sperm cell components coil within the cell membrane and a loose vesicular area is formed, surrounding the latter ( fig. 17G ). Finally, four spermatids that still remained connected to each other via cellular bridges fuse.

Figures

Fig. 16. Characteristics of synspermia and spermatozoa of Neotrops waorani. A: Sperm conjugates are surrounded by a distinct secretion sheath and characterized by heterogeneous cytoplasm, a distinct vesicular area, and numerous mitochondria. B: Longitudinal sections through sperm conjugates reveal the mainly oval shape of the synspermia. C: The membrane of the syncytium is constricted in the periphery. D: The subacrosomal space is widened. E: Due to the electron density of the vesicular area, axonemes are hardly visible. F: Within the ejaculatory duct, sperm conjugates further differentiate; this especially includes condensation of cytoplasm while peripheral constrictions recess.

Fig. 17. Characteristics of spermiogenesis of Neotrops waorani. A: The posterior portion of AV is already deeply sunken into the anterior pole of the nucleus in early spermatids, the subacrosomal space is widened. B: The AV is surrounded by distinct electron-dense material. C: The chromatin appears fibrillar and shows dense streaks. D: The proximal centriole is enlarged. E: The base of the axoneme is surrounded by electron-dense secretions that arrange in plates. F: The NC runs in the periphery of the nucleus appears stalked because of the irregular chromatin-condensation pattern. G: At the end of spermiogenesis, a distinct electron-dense vesicular area is formed, while the main cell components coil within the cell.