Reproductive Biology and Phylogeny of Fishes (Agnathans and Bony Fishes)

2009 ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Reproductive Biology ◽  
Bony Fishes

Fine structure and possible functions of the hermaphrodite duct of some pulmonate snails (Mollusca: Gastropoda)

1990 ◽  
Vol 48 (3) ◽  
pp. 68-69
Author(s):  
Alan N. Hodgson
Keyword(s):  
Electron Microscopy ◽  
Transmission Electron Microscopy ◽  
Fine Structure ◽  
Seminal Vesicle ◽  
Reproductive Biology ◽  
Light Microscope ◽  
Light Microscope Level ◽  
Transmission Electron ◽  
Standard Techniques

The hermaphrodite duct of pulmonate snails connects the ovotestis to the fertilization pouch. The duct is typically divided into three zones; aproximal duct which leaves the ovotestis, the middle duct (seminal vesicle) and the distal ovotestis duct. The seminal vesicle forms the major portion of the duct and is thought to store sperm prior to copulation. In addition the duct may also play a role in sperm maturation and degredation. Although the structure of the seminal vesicle has been described for a number of snails at the light microscope level there appear to be only two descriptions of the ultrastructure of this tissue. Clearly if the role of the hermaphrodite duct in the reproductive biology of pulmonatesis to be understood, knowledge of its fine structure is required.Hermaphrodite ducts, both containing and lacking sperm, of species of the terrestrial pulmonate genera Sphincterochila, Levantina, and Helix and the marine pulmonate genus Siphonaria were prepared for transmission electron microscopy by standard techniques.

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