Ultrastructure of the mature spermatozoon of Eubothrium rugosum (Batsch, 1786) with a re-assessment of the spermatozoon ultrastructure of Eubothrium crassum (Bloch, 1779) (Cestoda: Bothriocephalidea)

• Published in: Helminthologia
• Main Authors: Bruňanská, M., Fagerholm, H. P., Nebesářová, J. (Jana), Kostič, B.
• Format: Article in Journal/Newspaper
• Language: English
• Published: 2010
• Subjects: ultrastructure; spermatozoon; Eubothrium; Bothriocephalidea; Cestoda; Burbot; Lota lota; lota
• Online Access: https://doi.org/10.2478/s11687-010-0040-9; http://hdl.handle.net/11104/0192684

The ultrastructure of the mature spermatozoon of the bothriocephalidean tapeworm Eubothrium rugosum, a parasite of the burbot, Lota lota (L.), was studied by transmission electron microscopy for the first time. In addition, spermatozoon ultrastructure of Eubothrium crassum has been re-assessed. New is the finding, that the mature spermatozoa of both species of the genus Eubothrium exhibit essentially the same general morphology. They are filiform cells tapering at both extremities, and they possess the two axonemes with 9+“1” pattern of Trepaxonemata, attachment zones, a nucleus, cortical microtubules (CMs), electron-dense granules, and a single crested body. Structural polymorphism of the CBs has been found within the two Eubothrium species for the first time. Discussed are interspecific similarities and differences between the spermatozoa of the two Eubothrium species as well as between these and other Eucestoda.