title: First spermatological study in the Atractotrematidae (Digenea, Haploporoidea): the case of Atractotrema sigani, intestinal parasite of Siganus lineatus.
abstract: The ultrastructural organization of the mature spermatozoon of the digenean Atractotrema sigani (from Siganus lineatus off New Caledonia) was investigated by transmission electron microscopy. The male gamete of A. sigani exhibits the general morphology described in digeneans with the presence of two axonemes of different lengths showing the 9 + "1" pattern of the Trepaxonemata, a nucleus, two mitochondria, two bundles of parallel cortical microtubules, external ornamentation, spine-like bodies and granules of glycogen. However, the mature spermatozoon of A. sigani has some specific characters such as the morphology of its anterior region and the submembranous electron-dense material. Although similar structures have been reported in some digenean species, the presence of a submembranous electron-dense material describing a complete ring is reported here for the first time in the mature spermatozoon of A. sigani. In addition, sperm characteristics are compared between the Haploporoidea and their supposed close superfamilies, and possible phylogenetic implications of these findings for the Digenea are discussed.
authors.affiliation: CNRS-Università di Corsica, UMR 6134-SPE, SERME Service d'Étude et de Recherche en Microscopie Électronique, Corte 20250, Corsica, France - Laboratory of Evolutionary Biology, Ecology and Management of Ecosystems, Cheikh Anta Diop University of Dakar, BP 5055, Dakar, Senegal.
authors.forename: Abdoulaye J S
authors.initials: AJ
authors.lastname: Bakhoum
authors.affiliation: CNRS-Università di Corsica, UMR 6134-SPE, SERME Service d'Étude et de Recherche en Microscopie Électronique, Corte 20250, Corsica, France.
authors.forename: Yann
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Quilichini
authors.affiliation: ISYEB, Institut de Systématique, Évolution, Biodiversité (UMR7205 CNRS, EPHE, MNHN, UPMC), Muséum National d'Histoire Naturelle, Sorbonne Universités, CP 51, 55 rue Buffon 75231, Paris cedex 05, France.
authors.forename: Jean-Lou
authors.initials: JL
authors.lastname: Justine
authors.affiliation: Department of Life Sciences, Natural History Museum, Cromwell Road, SW7 5BD London, UK.
authors.forename: Rodney A
authors.initials: RA
authors.lastname: Bray
authors.affiliation: Laboratori de Parasitologia, Departament de Microbiologia i Parasitologia Sanitàries, Facultat de Farmàcia, Universitat de Barcelona, Av. Joan XXIII, sn, 08028 Barcelona, Spain - Institut de Recerca de la Biodiversitat, Facultat de Biologia, Universitat de Barcelona, Av. Diagonal 645, 08028 Barcelona, Spain.
authors.forename: Jordi
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Miquel
authors.affiliation: Laboratori de Parasitologia, Departament de Microbiologia i Parasitologia Sanitàries, Facultat de Farmàcia, Universitat de Barcelona, Av. Joan XXIII, sn, 08028 Barcelona, Spain - Institut de Recerca de la Biodiversitat, Facultat de Biologia, Universitat de Barcelona, Av. Diagonal 645, 08028 Barcelona, Spain.
authors.forename: Carlos
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Feliu
authors.affiliation: Laboratory of Evolutionary Biology, Ecology and Management of Ecosystems, Cheikh Anta Diop University of Dakar, BP 5055, Dakar, Senegal.
authors.forename: Cheikh T
authors.initials: CT
authors.lastname: Bâ
authors.affiliation: CNRS-Università di Corsica, UMR 6134-SPE, SERME Service d'Étude et de Recherche en Microscopie Électronique, Corte 20250, Corsica, France.
authors.forename: Bernard
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Marchand
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D054468:Axoneme / Q000648:ultrastructure; D005393:Fish Diseases / Q000469:parasitology; D007411:Intestinal Diseases, Parasitic / Q000469:parasitology / Q000662:veterinary; D008297:Male; D008854:Microscopy, Electron; D008870:Microtubules / Q000648:ultrastructure; D015388:Organelles / Q000648:ultrastructure; D010140:Pacific Ocean; D010802:Phylogeny; D013045:Species Specificity; D013094:Spermatozoa / Q000648:ultrastructure*; D014200:Trematoda / Q000145:classification / Q000166:cytology*; D014201:Trematode Infections / Q000469:parasitology / Q000662:veterinary