MICROTUBULES IN RELATION TO THE MOTILITY OF A SPERM SYNCYTIUM IN AN ARMORED SCALE INSECT

摘要: Male scale insects of the species Parlatoria oleae Colvee (Homoptera: Coccoidea) produce motile sperm bundles. The bundle is a syncytium consisting 10 to 20 closely packed, filamentous spermatozoa, which share common cytoplasm and are enclosed in membrane. individual spermatozoon not surrounded by plasma membrane, but delimited scroll-like sheath composed 45 50 microtubules. microtubules run parallel long axis arranged spiral pattern as seen transection. outside diameter measures approximately 140 220 A inside diameter, 70 100 A. about 300 µ tapers gradually from 0.3 anteriorly 0.1 posteriorly. anterior half (150 µ) has threadlike core chromatin 0.07 diameter. homogeneous surrounds nuclear fills posterior spermatozoon. Neither osmium tetroxide nor glutaraldehyde fixation revealed presence envelope, acrosomal membranes, mitochondria, flagellum, or centrioles. In spite apparent lack orthodox cell organelles, actively upon release bundle. It exhibits capactiy for motility throughout its entire length. Since only structure extends full length spermatozoon, it probably plays significant role spermatozoan motility.