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Ultrastructure of sperm morphology ofTrilobodrilus axi andT. heideri (Dinophilidae, Polychaeta)

Abstract

The ultrastructure of the sperm of the dinophilidsTrilobodrilus axi andTrilobodrilus heideri was investigated. The sperms are extremely modified and show an elongated head, middle piece, and tail region, which are overlapping. This condition is a synapomorphous feature for the dinophilids. The sperm structure has to be related to the specialized mode of sperm transfer by hypodermal injection in these species.

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Scharnofske, P. Ultrastructure of sperm morphology ofTrilobodrilus axi andT. heideri (Dinophilidae, Polychaeta). Helgolander Meeresunters 40, 419–430 (1986). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01983821

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