Scanning Electron Microscopy of Some Salamander Spermatozoa

Abstract

Spermatozoa of 11 species of salamanders, representing nine genera and three families, were studied with the scanning electron microscope. The barbed acrosomes were found to be distinctive at the family level but intrafamilial differences were not evident. Familial differences were also noted in the presence, position and texture of the spermatozoan cytoplasmic droplet. Ambystomatid spermatozoan tails were unique among the families studied in the presence of a tail membrane and rough surface topography. The scanning electron microscope was useful in elucidating sperm characteristics not readily visible with the light microscope nor easily obtainable with the transmission electron microscope.