Studies in Spermatogenesis (Part 2 of 2) — John Shaqi
Studies in Spermatogenesis (Part 2 of 2)Stevens, N. M. (Nettie Maria)
Science
Studies in Spermatogenesis (Part 2 of 2)
Stevens, N. M. (Nettie Maria)
Sex; Spermatogenesis
In _Cicindela primeriana_ (family Cicindelidæ) there are 18 chromosomes
in the spermatogonium (fig. 198), one being small. The heterochromosome
group is blended into a vacuolated sphere in growth stages (figs. 199,
200). In the metaphase of the first division it is trilobed, or
tripartite (fig. 201), and in metakinesis, a small spherical chromosome
separates from a much larger V-shaped one (fig. 202). Equatorial plates
of first and second spermatocytes are shown in figures 203 and 204.
Whole cysts of giant first spermatocytes were found both in growth
stages (fig. 205) and prophases (fig. 206). Here the heterochromosome
group is plainly double (fig. 205), and the conditions observed must
have been due to the failure of a spermatogonial mitosis to complete
itself.
Several of the Carabidæ have been studied, and the material, though not
especially favorable, is interesting in that some members of the family
have an unequal pair of heterochromosomes, others an odd one. _Chlænius
æstivus_ (figs. 207-212), _Chlænius pennsylvanicus_ (figs. 213-215), and
_Galerita bicolor_ (fig. 216) have the unequal pair, while _Anomoglossus
emarginatus_ (figs. 217-223) has an odd heterochromosome (_x_), which
behaves exactly like the larger heterochromosome in other carabs.
In the Elateridæ and Lampyridæ we also have examples of the second type
with the odd chromosome. Two Elaters, species not determined (figs.
224-229 and 230-235), have each 19 chromosomes in the spermatogonia
(figs. 224 and 230), and in the first spermatocyte division an odd
chromosome (_x_) which is in each case the smallest. In the first of
these Elaters, the female somatic number was determined to be 20 (fig.
229). In the second Elater the pairs of second spermatocytes, containing
9 and 10 chromosomes respectively in the two cells, were in nearly every
case connected as shown in figure 235, one pair of chromosomes not
having separated completely in the first mitosis. Of _Ellychnia
corrusca_ (family Lampyridæ) only the spermatogonial equatorial plate,
containing 19 chromosomes (_x_, the odd one) is given, as no material in
maturation has yet been obtained, and a comparative study of the germ
cells of the Elateridæ and Lampyridæ will be made as soon as suitable
material can be secured.
In addition to the species of Coleoptera described here, two others,
_Coptocycla aurichalcea_ and _Coptocycla guttata_ have been studied by
one of my students and the results published elsewhere (Nowlin, '06). In
both an even number of chromosomes (22, 18) was found in the
spermatogonia, one being very small and forming with a larger one an
unequal pair which remained condensed during the growth stage and
separated into its larger and smaller components in the first
spermatocyte mitosis. The result of maturation, as in the other species
here described and in _Tenebrio molitor_, is dimorphism of the
spermatozoa. The method of synapsis in Coptocycla is like that described
for _Chelymorpha argus_.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
Reviews
Reviews
No reviews yet
Be the first to share your thoughts on this work.
Join the Discussion
Join the discussion
Sign in to leave a comment or review.
Sign InorCreate an account