• Applied Microscopy
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• v.39 no.3
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• pp.219-226
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• 2009

The ultrastructure of spermatogenesis and sperm in Cichlasoma managuensis belonging to Cichlidae was investigated by light and electron microscopes. The testis of C. managuensis contained numerous testicular cysts, and spermatogenesis was synchronized in these testicular cysts. In the case of spermatogonia, the nucleus was comparatively large ellipsoidal, and mitochondria showed a marked development. The size of primary spermatocyte was smaller than that of spermatogonia, and that of secondary spermatocyte was smaller than that of primary spermatocyte. The chromatin of spermatocyte was highly condensed according to their development. The nucleus with electron-dense was round shape. In spermiogenesis, flagella started to be formed and chromatin was more condensed. The mitochondria were rearranged in a middle piece. The sperm was formed by loss of cytoplasm. The head of mature sperm was a spherical shape and had not acrosome. The microtubules of flagella were arranged 9+2 structure. Also, the tail of sperm have lateral fins.

• Applied Microscopy
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• v.39 no.1
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• pp.9-15
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• 2009

The ultrastructure of the fertilized egg envelope in Cichlasoma managuensis belonging to Cichlidae were investigated by routine light and electron microscopes. The fertilized eggs of Cichlasoma managuensis was of the light yellow, non-transparent, ellipsoidal, adhesive and nonfloted type. The size of fertilized egg was the major axis $1.92{\pm}0.08\;mm$, the minor axis $1.43{\pm}0.04\;mm$. The egg envelopes have a single micropyle, which is thought to the pathway of sperm in the area of the animal pole. An outer surface of fertilized egg envelope was covered by a adhesive reticular structures and the fertilized egg envelopes consisted of two distinct layers; an outer adhesive layer and an inner layer of $13{\sim}15$ horizontal lower electron density lamellae alternating with interlamellae of higher electron density. The external shape of fertilized egg is common trait of fishes belonging to Cichlidae and these ultrastructural characters of fertilized egg envelope can be utilized in taxonomy of teleost.