The ultrastructure of secretion in the spermatheca of the salamander, Manculus quadridigitatus (Holbrook)

Pool, Thomas B.; Hoage, Terrell R.

doi:10.1016/s0040-8166(73)80024-2

Cited by 27 publications

(5 citation statements)

References 26 publications

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“…1995) from the Salamandridae, sperm are found in parallel arrays and show the same orientation. This condition is the typical one previously reported for complex spermathecae of the Plethodontidae (Marynick 1971; Pool and Hoage 1973; Davitt and Larsen 1988; Sever and Brunette 1993; Sever 1997; Sever and Hamlett 1998) and was observed in the present study in P. cinereus . The order of male paternity that results from multiple matings has not been studied in any of these salamanders that possess simple spermathecae and sperm aggregations similar to plethodontids.…”

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 90%

Sperm aggregations in the spermatheca of the red back salamander (Plethodon cinereus)

Sever

Siegel

2006

Acta Zoologica

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 Abstract Sever, D. M. and Siegel, D. S. 2006. Sperm aggregations in the spermatheca of the red back salamander ( Plethodon cinereus ). -Acta Zoologica (Stockholm) 87 : 331-340The spermatheca of Plethodon cinereus is a compound tubular gland that stores sperm from mating in early spring (March-April) to oviposition in summer (June-July). The seasonal variation of sperm storage in this species has previously been studied by light and transmission electron microscopy. In this paper, sperm aggregations, interaction of sperm with the spermathecal epithelium, and spermathecal secretions are studied using scanning electron microscopy. Within spermathecal tubules, relatively small groups of sperm are aligned along their entire lengths in parallel arrays. This pattern is similar to other plethdontids with complex spermathecae. Lumina of spermathecal tubules are filled with secretory material in April prior to the arrival of sperm, and after sperm appear, a coating of secretory material persists on the apices of the spermathecal epithelium. Sperm peripheral to the central luminal mass can become embedded in the secretory matrix or pushed deeper into the spermathecal epithelium. The spermathecal secretions may serve to attract and prolong the viability of sperm, but sperm that become enmeshed in the secretions or epithelium are phagocytized. Sperm and spermathecal secretions are largely absent after ovulation and in summer months, and new secretory vacuoles are formed in fall, although mating does not occur until spring.

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Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 90%

Sperm aggregations in the spermatheca of the red back salamander (Plethodon cinereus)

Sever

Siegel

2006

Acta Zoologica

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“…Later, Kobayashi and Iwamatsu () described special sperm retention structures in P. reticulata , which they termed “sperm storage micropockets.” In the present study, we describe similar structures in nine species of the Poeciliidae ( G. panuco , X. hellerii , P. mexicana , P. prolifica , P. infans , P. viriosa , P. presidionis , P. gracilis , and H. formosa ). However, we refer to these structures as “spermathecae” in order to be consistent with the term used for analogous structures in other taxonomic groups (Dallai, ; Pool & Hoage, ; Tombes & Roppel, ). Similar to “sperm storage micropockets” and “solid plugs”, the spermathecae we observed are composed of ovarian folds, which close, completely surrounding the spermatozoa.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…In this study, our first objective was to locate sperm storage structures, which we will refer to as “spermathecae”, in viviparous species of Poeciliidae. The term “spermathecae” has been previously used to describe specialized sperm storage structures in other groups such as amphibians and insects (Dallai, ; Gupta & Smith, ; Pool & Hoage, ; Tombes & Roppel, ). For example, in salamanders, spermatozoa are stored in a pigmented structure (spermatheca) that opens into the oviducts (Pool & Hoage, ).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…The term "spermathecae" has been previously used to describe specialized sperm storage structures in other groups such as amphibians and insects (Dallai, 1975;Gupta & Smith, 1969;Pool & Hoage, 1973;Tombes & Roppel, 1972). For example, in salamanders, spermatozoa are stored in a pigmented structure (spermatheca) that opens into the oviducts (Pool & Hoage, 1973). Similarly, in beetles, spermathecae are abdominal invaginations near the reproductive tract which store viable sperm (Tombes & Roppel, 1972).…”

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confidence: 99%

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Morphological structures for potential sperm storage in poeciliid fishes. Does superfetation matter?

Olivera-Tlahuel

Cruz

Moreno‐Mendoza

et al. 2017

Journal of Morphology

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Sperm storage within the female reproductive tract has been reported as a reproductive strategy in several species of vertebrates and invertebrates. However, the morphological structures that allow for sperm to be stored and kept viable for long periods are relatively unknown in osteichthyes. We use histological and stereological tools to identify and quantify sperm storage structures (spermathecae) in 12 species of viviparous Poeciliidae. We found spermathecae in nine species, six of which exhibit superfetation (the ability of females to simultaneously carry within the ovary two or more broods of embryos at different stages of development). These spermathecae are folds of ovarian tissue that close around spermatozoa. We compared the number and size (volume) of spermathecae between species with and without superfetation. Species that exhibit superfetation had a significantly higher number of spermathecae than species that do not exhibit this reproductive strategy. In addition, we found that the mean volume of spermathecae and total volume of spermathecae present in the ovary are marginally higher in species with superfetation. Our results contribute to the understanding of the morphological structures that allow for sperm storage in viviparous osteichthyes and suggest a positive relationship between superfetation and the capacity of females to store sperm.

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“…Desmognathus ochrophaeus, Schwenk 1984, Sever andD. fuscus, Marynick 1971 ; Notophthalrnus viridescens, Benson 1968, Dent 1970; Eurycea quadridigitata, Pool and Hoage 1973). The functional significance, if any, of contacts between sperm and epithelial cells is uncertain; sperm which make such contacts may be inviable and about to be resorbed (Pool and Hoage 1973) or they may receive some form of sustenance from the epithelial cells, perhaps increasing their longevity (Sever and Houck 1985).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

The Cloaca and Spermatheca of the Female Smooth Newt, Triturus vulgaris L. (Amphibia: Urodela: Salamandridae)

Verrell

Sever

1988

Acta Zoologica

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Verrell, P. A , , Sever, D. M . 1988. The cloaca and spermatheca of the female smooth newt, Trirurus vulgaris L. (Amphibia: Urodela: Salamandridae). A.)-Acra zool. (Stockh:) 69, 65-70.The anatomy and histology of the cloaca and spermatheca of 13 female smooth newts (Trirurus vulgaris) were studied by light microscopy. The cloaca consists of a short, anterior tube (which receives the oviducts), which opens into a larger, more posterior chamber. The spermatheca, which is the only gland in the cloaca, consists of a mass of exocrine, acinar tubules which empty individually and dorsolaterally into the posterior part of the cloacal tube and all but the most posterior part of the cloacal chamber. Stored sperm are most abundant in the spermathecal tubules during the peak of the breeding season (in May and June); during their period of storage, the sperm do not appear to make intimate contact with the epithelial cells lining the spermathecal tubules. Longterm storage of viable sperm from one breeding season to the next is probably absent in the smooth newt. Sperm storage by and multiple insemination of females both occur in this species and are necessary preconditions for competition between the sperm of different males for the fertilization of eggs. However, sperm competition has not been demonstrated in the smooth newt.

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The ultrastructure of secretion in the spermatheca of the salamander, Manculus quadridigitatus (Holbrook)

Cited by 27 publications

References 26 publications

Sperm aggregations in the spermatheca of the red back salamander (Plethodon cinereus)

Sperm aggregations in the spermatheca of the red back salamander (Plethodon cinereus)

Morphological structures for potential sperm storage in poeciliid fishes. Does superfetation matter?

The Cloaca and Spermatheca of the Female Smooth Newt, Triturus vulgaris L. (Amphibia: Urodela: Salamandridae)

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