Ultrastructure of spermiogenesis and the spermatozoon of Monorchis parvus Looss, 1902 (Digenea,Monorchiidae), a parasite of Diplodus annularis (Pisces,Teleostei)

The present paper describes the characteristic ultrastructural features of spermiogenesis and the spermatozoon of Monorchis parvus (Trematoda, Digenea, Monorchiidae). This spermiogenesis is characterized by a flagellar rotation of about 120° and the formation of a novel ultrastructural element: a centriolar extension. It nevertheless follows the general pattern of digeneans. It begins with the formation of a differentiation zone, comprising striated rootlets associated with two centrioles and an intercentriolar body. The mature spermatozoon presents features allowing the distinction between M. parvus and other digenetic trematodes. It possesses an original anterior extremity. The two central elements of the axonemes appear prior to the peripheral doublets. The external ornamentations of the cell membrane are formed parallel to the central elements. Another peculiarity of the male gamete is the presence of two mitochondria. M. parvus, therefore, differs distinctly from other digenetic trematodes.