Spermatozoa of tapeworms (Platyhelminthes, Eucestoda): advances in ultrastructural and phylogenetic studies

0345696 - BC 2011 RIV GB eng J - Journal Article
Levron, Céline - Miquel, J. - Oros, Mikuláš - Scholz, Tomáš
Spermatozoa of tapeworms (Platyhelminthes, Eucestoda): advances in ultrastructural and phylogenetic studies.
Biological Reviews. Roč. 85, č. 3 (2010), s. 523-543. ISSN 1464-7931. E-ISSN 1469-185X
R&D Projects: GA ČR GP524/07/P039; GA ČR GA524/08/0885; GA MŠMT LC522
Institutional research plan: CEZ:AV0Z60220518
Keywords : spermatozoon * spermiogenesis * ultrastructure * phylogeny * classification * Eucestoda * Platyhelminthes * tapeworm
Subject RIV: GJ - Animal Vermins ; Diseases, Veterinary Medicine
Impact factor: 6.574, year: 2010

Since 2001, more than 50 species belonging to most orders of the Eucestoda have been studied or reinvestigated, particularly members of the Caryophyllidea, Spathebothriidea, Diphyllobothriidea, Bothriocephalidea, Trypanorhyncha, Tetraphyllidea, Proteocephalidea, and Cyclophyllidea. A new classification of spermatozoa of eucestodes into seven basic types is proposed and a key to their identification is given. For the first time, a phylogenetic tree inferred from spermatological characters is provided. The tree is broadly congruent with those based on morphological and molecular data, indicating that convergent evolution of sperm characters in cestodes may not be as common as in other invertebrate taxa. The main gaps in the current knowledge of spermatological characters are mapped and topics for future research are outlined, with special emphasis on those characters that might provide additional information about the evolution of tapeworms and their spermatozoa.
Permanent Link: http://hdl.handle.net/11104/0186905