SUMMARY: Scorpaena notata (Teleostei: Scorpaenidae) is an oviparous species with external fertilisation that shows some unusual features in its gonadal morphology and gametogenesis. In this work we analyse the annual reproductive cycle and the fecundity of this species by studying the monthly histological changes in the gonads and of various indices related to reproduction. Sexual dimorphism does not occur in the population we studied, which is clearly dominated by males. Multiple spawning takes place between July and October, consisting of between 6,000 and 33,000 eggs per female, each of about 500 µm in diameter. The fecundity of the species is determined by the size and weight of the individuals.Keywords: scorpionfish, reproduction, annual cycle, fecundity.RESUMEN: CICLO REPRODUCTIVO ANUAL Y FECUNDIDAD DE SCORPAENA NOTATA (TELEOSTEI: SCORPAENIDAE). -Scorpaena notata (Teleostei: Scorpaenidae) es una especie ovípara de fertilización externa que presenta algunas características peculiares en su morfología gonadal y gametogénesis. En este trabajo se analiza el ciclo reproductivo anual y la fecundidad de dicha especie, mediante el estudio de los cambios histológicos mensuales que muestran las gónadas a lo largo del ciclo anual así como de diversos índices relacionados con la reproducción. La población analizada no presenta dimorfismo sexual, aunque el número de machos es muy superior al de hembras. La puesta múltiple ocurre entre los meses de Julio y Octubre y consiste de entre 6000 y 33000 huevos por hembra, de unos 500 µm de diámetro. La fecundidad de la especie viene determinada por el tamaño y el peso de los especimenes.Palabras clave: escórpora, reproducción, ciclo anual, fecundidad.

The aim of this work was to analyse the ultrastructure of storage crypts and stored spermatozoa, and to describe changes during the annual reproductive cycle of the bluemouth Helicolenus dactylopterus dactylopterus, which has internal fertilization and a zygoparous mode of reproduction. Spermatozoa had elongated heads and long midpieces, two characteristics which are thought to be fairly advanced and correlated with internal fertilization, as is the case of the bluemouth. A remarkable spermatozoon feature was the retention of a significant quantity of cytoplasm around the head, a condition that appeared to be related to nourishment during the long storage period, up to 10 months in the intraovarian crystal structures of the female. Male sex cells' protection against the female immune system was ensured by junctional complexes between the crypt cells composed of tight junctions and desmosomes.

 AbstractHernández, M.R., Sàbat, M., Muñoz, M. and Casadevall, M. 2005. Semicystic spermatogenesis and reproductive strategy in Ophidion barbatum (Pisces, Ophidiidae). -Acta Zoologica (Stockholm) 86: [295][296][297][298][299][300] In this paper the testicular structure and spermatogenesis of Ophidion barbatum are studied and the reproductive strategy of this species is analysed. The species has a rare type of spermatogenesis, called semicystic, in which the cyst ruptures in a stage prior to the spermatozoon stage. The most peculiar feature of the spermatozoon is its elongated shape, not typical of an oviparous species. Taking into account our results, the type of ovary and the spawning method, this species shows specialized characteristics which are fairly uncommon among oviparous species. The analysis of other biological aspects of the species, such as the capacity of the males to produce sounds, the low population density, the habit of individual members of burying themselves and the crepuscular habits, combined with our observations concerning their reproductive strategies, lead us to suggest a unique mating behaviour.

The testicular organization and semicystic spermatogenesis of Scorpaena porcus and Scorpaena scrofa are analyzed by means of optic and electron microscopy and immunohistochemical techniques. The testicular structure of S. porcus and S. scrofa belongs to the unrestricted spermatogonial type, but has typical features of the restricted type. Moreover, the structure presents an epithelioid arrangement of Sertoli and germ cells rather than the germinal epithelium that appears in the majority of teleosts. After the cysts open, Sertoli cells hypertrophy and remain on the basement membrane, linked by interdigitations and tight junctions and bordering the lumen of the lobule, which at this moment works as an efferent duct. Secretions of Sertoli cells usually function in the nutrition of germ cells, and they seem to contribute in it even in this kind of spermatogenesis in which the free lumen spermatids do not have any connection with Sertoli cells. In addition, Sertoli cells can divide after the cysts have broken apart and hypertrophied, suggesting that they are still important for the final maturation of spermatozoa and seminal fluid formation.

SUMMARY: A study of the spermiogenesis and spermatozoa of Helicolenus dactylopterus was conducted. Females of this species have the capacity to store sperm within their ovaries, and male gametes have a considerable cytoplasmic mass surrounding their heads to survive the long period of intraovarian sperm storage. Our observations show that early spermatids are round-shaped cells and have a spherical nucleus with diffuse chromatin. The nuclear volume decreases as a result of progressive chromatin condensation during spermiogenesis, causing the nucleus to take on a U-shape. Flagellar insertion is not central to the nucleus but consistently occurs at an oblique angle towards one side of it. The flagellum is inserted into the nuclear fossa, without subsequent nuclear rotation. In mature spermatozoa, the flagellum is adjacent to the nucleus. A comparison of the spermatozoa in the testicular lobules and those in the intraovarian storage structures suggests that the increase in volume of the cytoplasmic mass may occur in the posterior region of the testis, in the testicular duct. Spermatozoa enter the ovary in groups that reach the ovarian lumen and are surrounded by the ovarian epithelium for storage in sperm storage crypts.Keywords: Helicolenus dactylopterus, spermiogenesis, ultrastructure, sperm storage, spermatozoa. RESUMEN: Particularidades en la espermiogénesis de una especie que almacena esperma: Helicolenus dactylopterus dactylopterus (Teleostei: Scorpaenidae). -Se estudian la espermatogénesis y el espermatozoide de la especie Helicolenus dactylopterus. Las hembras de esta especie tienen la capacidad de almacenar espermatozoides en el interior de sus ovarios y los gametos masculinos presentan una evidente masa citoplasmática rodeando sus cabezas para soportar el largo período de almacenaje intraovárico. Nuestras observaciones evidencian que las espermátidas tempranas son células redondas con un núcleo esférico que contiene cromatina difusa. El volumen nuclear disminuye debido a una progresiva condensación de la cromatina, provocando que el núcleo adopte forma de "U". La inserción flagelar no es central respecto al núcleo sino que se realiza a un lado de éste, siempre de forma oblicua. El flagelo se inserta en la fosa nuclear y no existe rotación nuclear posterior. En los espermatozoides maduros, el flagelo es una estructura adyacente al núcleo. El aumento de volumen de las masas citoplasmáticas posiblemente ocurre en la región posterior del testículo, comparando los espermatozoides del interior del lóbulo testicular con los que están dentro las estructuras de almacenaje intraováricas. Éstos entran en el ovario en grupos más o menos organizados y son envueltos por el epitelio ovárico de la zona lamelar para ser guardados en criptas de almacenaje de esperma.Palabras clave: Helicolenus dactylopterus, espermiogenesis, ultra estructura, almacenaje esperma, espermatozoide.