title: Chonopeltis australis (Crustacea) male reproductive system morphology; sperm transfer and review of reproduction in Branchiura.
abstract: The morphology of the male reproductive system as well as sperm transfer in Branchiura has been described for Dolops ranarum and Argulus japonicus. In this study, the reproductive system and accessory structures are described for male Chonopeltis australis using histology, light microscopy, and scanning electron microscopy. For the first time, we describe sperm transfer by means of a spermatophore in this genus. The internal and external morphology and mechanism of sperm transfer is compared with other Branchiura, where it has been described. The morphology of the reproductive system of C. australis is similar to that of D. ranarum while the accessory structures and the spermatophore produced are similar to that of A. japonicus. A revision of the definition of Branchiura with respect to reproduction is provided.
authors.affiliation: Department of Zoology, University of Johannesburg, PO Box 524, Auckland Park, Johannesburg, South Africa.
authors.forename: Lourelle Alicia Martins
authors.initials: LA
authors.lastname: Neethling
authors.forename: Annemariè
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Avenant-Oldewage
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D033341:Arguloida / Q000033:anatomy & histology* / Q000502:physiology*; D003307:Copulation; D005260:Female; D005837:Genitalia, Male / Q000033:anatomy & histology; D008297:Male; D008855:Microscopy, Electron, Scanning; D012098:Reproduction; D013093:Spermatogonia / Q000648:ultrastructure; D013094:Spermatozoa / Q000648:ultrastructure
keywords: Argulus japonicus; Dolops ranarum; sperm transfer; spermatophore