No abstract

No abstract

No abstract

No abstract

The Wrst morphological and ultrastructural description of testis, WolYan duct, spermatophore, and spermatozoon of Lissotriton italicus is provided. The male reproductive system of this species consists of a pair of monolobed testes, fat bodies, eVerent ductules, paired WolYan duct, and the cloaca. The WolYan duct is pseudostratiWed, consisting of an epithelium composed of an alternation of ciliated cells and non-ciliated secretory cells, with scattered basal cells. Melanocytes are found in the basal lamina of the WolYan duct. Spermiogenesis is of the discontinuous type. In the early spermatid nuclear elongation, Xagellar extrusion and development of a large acrosomal vesicle occur. Soon the perforatorium develops and the Xagellum elongates. In the late spermatid gradual chromatin condensation and nuclear elongation is noticeable. At the end of spermiogenesis the Xagellum develops marginal Wlament and undulating membrane. The mature sperm of L. italicus consists of a distinct head (acrosome, perforatorium, nucleus and nuclear ridge, plus the apical acrosomal barb) and a tail with axoneme, undulating membrane, and axial Wber. Nuclear ridge and apical acrosomal barb are two autapomorphic characters found in the Urodela. Several apomorphic characters for Salamandroidea are also present: elongation of the connecting piece, an apically modiWed acrosome vesicle, trifoliate axial Wber within the principal piece, elongate annulus, elongate midpiece, and the gentle merging of the axial Wber/principal piece into the endpiece. The spermatophore of L. italicus is formed by a cap consisting of randomly distributed spermatozoa surmounting a short pedicel. A membranelike structure involving the spermatophore is absent.