Spermiogenesis and spermatozoa ultrastructure in the Serrasalminae (Ostariophysi: Characiformes) with further evidence on the relationships of the piranhas and pacus

• Main Authors: Priscila Gusmão-Pompiani, Luiz R. Malabarba, Claudio Oliveira, Irani Quagio-Grassiotto
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: Sociedade Brasileira de Ictiologia
• Series: Neotropical Ichthyology
• Subjects: Characid; Spermatid; Spermatozoa; Phylogeny; Morphology
• Online Access: http://www.scielo.br/scielo.php?script=sci_arttext&pid=S1679-62252009000300005&lng=en&tlng=en
• ISSN: 1982-0224

Spermatozoa and spermiogenesis ultrastructure were studied in the serrasalmine species Piaractus mesopotamicus, Mylossoma duriventre, Serrasalmus maculatus, and Metynnis mola and two distinct patterns may be recognized: the first common to Mylossoma, Serrasalmus and Metynnis, and the other, characteristic of Piaractus. The latter pattern is more similar to the conditions found in Salminus and Brycon. On the other hand, serrasalmine spermatozoa also share characteristics with the spermatozoa of species of the superfamily Anostomoidea. The phylogenetic significance of these characters is discussed.