Comparative spermatozoa ultrastructure of neotropical grass frogs (genus Leptodactylus) with comments on anuran reproductive modes and phylogeny

Valchi, Paula; Ponssa, María Laura; Farías, Alejandro; Volonteri, María Clara; Hermida, Gladys N.

doi:10.1016/j.jcz.2022.11.014

Cited by 3 publications

(1 citation statement)

References 48 publications

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“…Consequently, sperm cells may not contain signi cant phylogenetic information, as functional constraints shaping their ultrastructure may outweigh historical in uences. Recent research has indicated that at least at a generic level, functional constraints do not overpower phylogenetic signals (Valchi et al, 2023). In a recent paper Chernyshev et al (2020) provided some evidence that this applies to nemertean sperm even at higher taxonomic levels.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Ultrastructure and phylogenetic significance of spermatozoa in Nemertea

Bartolomaeus,

Bronkars,

Adam

et al. 2023

Preprint

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Sperm ultrastructure is frequently employed as a source for phylogenetic inference due to the ease of accessing spermatozoa. Despite being unicellular, sperm cells exhibit a relatively high number of diverse characters and character states. Spermatozoa are subject to strong sexual selection as they are finely tuned for maximizing male reproductive success. Given this strong functional constraint, one might anticipate the emergence of convergent characters in line with similar modes of reproduction. As a result, it might be expected that sperm cells do not possess substantial phylogenetic signal, with functional constraints overshadowing any evolutionary heritage. To test this assumption, we conducted a study on sperm ultrastructure in 12 nemertean species, representing closely related groups and major nemertean lineages. We analyzed these data for their phylogenetic signal within the context of the most recent nemertean phylogenies. Our findings demonstrate that, at all systematic levels, functional constraints imposed by sexual selection or the mode of reproduction do not supersede the influence of historical constraints on sperm ultrastructure.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Ultrastructure and phylogenetic significance of spermatozoa in Nemertea

Bartolomaeus,

Bronkars,

Adam

et al. 2023

Preprint

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

Ultrastructure and phylogenetic significance of spermatozoa in Nemertea

Bartolomaeus,

Bronkars,

Adam

et al. 2024

Zoomorphology

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Sperm ultrastructure is frequently employed as a source for phylogenetic inference due to the ease of accessing spermatozoa. Despite being unicellular, sperm cells exhibit a relatively high number of diverse characters and character states. Spermatozoa are subject to strong sexual selection as they are finely tuned for maximizing male reproductive success. Given this strong functional constraint, one might anticipate the emergence of convergent characters in line with similar modes of reproduction. As a result, it might be expected that sperm cells do not possess substantial phylogenetic signal, with functional constraints overshadowing any evolutionary heritage. To test this assumption, we conducted a study on sperm ultrastructure in 11 nemertean species, representing closely related groups and major nemertean lineages. We analyzed these data for their phylogenetic signal within the context of the most recent nemertean phylogenies. Our findings demonstrate that, at all systematic levels, functional constraints imposed by sexual selection, or the mode of reproduction do not supersede the influence of historical constraints on sperm ultrastructure.

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The case for considering the term ‘mitochondrial vesicle’ as a misnomer in publications about assisted reproductive technologies (ART) for amphibians

Browne,

Venu,

Kaurova

2024

Reprod. Fertil. Dev.

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The term ‘mitochondrial vesicle’ was first used in 2003 in a description of anuran sperm and persists to this day throughout the literature on assisted reproductive technologies (ART) for amphibians. In the present paper, we argue that the term is inappropriate because the widely accepted definition of a ‘vesicle’ refers to an integral structure with an enclosing lipid bilayer/membrane. Moreover, there are no electron micrographs that show a vesicular structure encapsulating mitochondria on amphibian sperm heads in the literature. In fact, in 1993, the mitochondria in the anuran sperm head had been described as positioned in ‘mitochondrial collars’ or ‘mitochondrial sheaths’ surrounded by the plasma membrane of the sperm head. On the other hand, mitochondrial-derived vesicles are defined as vesicles shed from mitochondria surfaces, potentially creating confusion. Therefore, our view is that the term ‘mitochondrial vesicle’ should be avoided in describing the positioning of mitochondria on sperm.

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Comparative spermatozoa ultrastructure of neotropical grass frogs (genus Leptodactylus) with comments on anuran reproductive modes and phylogeny

Cited by 3 publications

References 48 publications

Ultrastructure and phylogenetic significance of spermatozoa in Nemertea

Ultrastructure and phylogenetic significance of spermatozoa in Nemertea

Ultrastructure and phylogenetic significance of spermatozoa in Nemertea

The case for considering the term ‘mitochondrial vesicle’ as a misnomer in publications about assisted reproductive technologies (ART) for amphibians

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