• Korean Journal of Ichthyology
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• v.13 no.1
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• pp.19-23
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• 2001

The full-grown oocyte envelope of the two spined loaches, Niwaella multifasciata and Kichulchoia brevifasciata, was examined by electron microscopy. The oocyte is surrounded by its envelope, and an external modification (an adhesive structure) in the surface of the envelope is present. The envelope consists of two layers, a zona radiata externa which is the site of the adhesive structure, and a zona radiata interna, which has heterogeneous, electron-dense multi layers. The surface (zona radiata externa) of the envelope in N. multifasciata is equipped with short villuslike protuberances, which have a length of 1.5~2.5 ${\mu}m$ and are separated from each other by a distance of 2~2.5 ${\mu}m$. In contrast, K. brevifasciata has undulating or wave-like structures that extend over the entire oocyte surface. The waves are 1.5~2.5 ${\mu}m$ in length and are separated a distance of 2.5~3.3 ${\mu}m$ from each other.