Spermatozoal ultrastructure of four Sparidae fishes:: Acanthopagrus berda, Acanthopagrus australis, Lagodon rhomboids and Archosargus probatocephus

The mature spermatozoa of two Taiwan protandrous hermaphrodite Sparidae Acanthopagrus berda and Acanthopagrus australis are investigated and compared with those of other two Sparidae (Lagodon rhomboids and Archosargus probatocephus) from the Western hemisphere. Ultrastructurally the spermatozoon of these four species has a spherical, homogeneously electron-dense nucleus with an axial nuclear fossa. The midpiece contains one to four spherical mitochondria and encircles the basal body of the flagellum. The mature spermatozoa of the four species are of the primitive or ect-aquasperm form and conform to the teleostean type 1 spermatozoon with the flagellar axis inserts perpendicular and medial to the nuclear fossa. Variation in the depths of the nuclear fossa and rnitochondria number is substantial in these four Sparidae species. This study provide useful systematic characters to the existing knowledge of comparative spermatology of Sparidae. (c) 2004 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.