ISSN:
1432-234X
Source:
Springer Online Journal Archives 1860-2000
Topics:
Biology
Notes:
Abstract The Sabellidae is comprised of the Sabellinae and Fabriciinae. Reproduction in the Sabellinae varies considerably, while the Fabriciinae show a uniform sexual reproductive mode. Adult females of all Fabriciinae studied to date brood directly developing larvae within their tubes and the presence of spermathecae has previously been noted in several species. Interestingly, spermathecae have not been found in a number of other Fabriciinae. In this paper, the sperm-storage mechanisms of species in the genera (all Fabriciinae) Augeneriella, Fabricinuda, Novafabricia, Pseudofabriciola, Fabriciola and an, as yet, undescribed genus are detailed. Novafabricia tenuiseta has complex prostomial spermathecae, similar to those previously described for Fabricia stellaris and Parafabricia ventricingulata. Augeneriella alata has simple sac-like spermathecae in the peristomium. Females in the remaining species were found to have no specialised organs for sperm storage. Instead, they store spermatozoa in epidermal cells below the dorsal lips of the radiolar crown or in cells lining the buccal cavity. The paired spermathecae in Salmacina sp. (Serpulidae) are also described. This represents the first description of spermathecae in a serpulid, apart from those described in members of the Spirorbinae. This is done in part to facilitate polarity decisions for characters based on the reproductive system used in a forthcoming cladistic analysis of the Fabriciinae. The use of characters based on the reproductive system may help resolve some problems with the systematics of this clade. At present, the uncertainty of relationships amongst various clades of the Fabriciinae prevents any understanding of the evolution of reproductive methods in the group
Type of Medium:
Electronic Resource
URL:
http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s004350050020
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