• Applied Microscopy
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• v.52
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• pp.6.1-6.5
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• 2022

We examined the morphology of the fertilized egg and the fine structure of fertilized egg envelopes of Poropanchax normani belonging to the family Poeciliidae, also known as Norman's lampeye using light and electron microscopes. The fertilized eggs with narrow perivitelline space were found to be spherical and demersal, additionally containing small oil droplets in the vitelline membrane. Further, a bundle of adhesive filaments was observed to be present on one side of the fertilized egg. These filaments possessed remarkably high elasticity and were approximately 1-3mm in length. The size of the fertilized egg was determined to be about 1.49 ± 0.07mm (n=30). The outer surface appeared smooth, and adhesive filaments originating at different location of the surface of the envelope were found to be distributed around the egg envelope and were joined together to form a single long bundle in scanning electron microscopic observation. A peak-like structure formed of several straight wrinkles was observed around the micropyle. However, the complete structure of the micropyle could not be studied due to the depth at which it was located. Additionally, the total thickness of the egg envelope was ascertained to be approximately12.5-14.5㎛. The egg envelope consisted of two distinct layers, an outer electron dense layer and an inner lamellar layer, further consisting of 10 sublayers of varying thicknesses. Collectively, it was observed that the morphological characteristics of the fertilized egg, fine structures surrounding the micropyle, outer surface, adhesive structure consisting adhesive filaments, and sections of fertilized egg envelope displayed species specificity.

• Applied Microscopy
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• v.40 no.3
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• pp.169-176
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• 2010

Black molly (Poecilia sphenops) and sailfin molly (Poecilia latipinna) are a teleost belonging to Poeciliidae. The spermatogenesis between two species were investigated by light and electron microscope. The whitish testes of both black molly and sailfin molly were located between intestine and air bladder. The size of testis was major axis 7 mm, minor axis 2 mm. The testis contained numerous testicular cysts. In both black molly and sailfin, primary spermatocytes were comparatively large ellipsoidal, and mitochondria showed a marked development. The secondary spermatocyte was smaller than that of primary spermatocyte, highly condensed according to their development. The nucleus with electron-dense was round shape and flagella started to be formed. In spermiogenesis, chromatin was more condensed. The mitochondria were rearranged along the tail. The number of mitochondria was 2 to 4 in cross section and 8 to 10 in longitudinal section. The head of mature sperm was long cone shape and had not acrosome. The microtubules of flagella were arranged 9+2 structure. Also, the tail of sperm have lateral fins. In conclusion, spermatogenesis and sperm morphologies of these two species were same. These morphological similarity seems to be an indication of the Poeciliidae.