Ultrastructure of the mature spermatozoon of Eubothrium rugosum (Batsch, 1786) with a re-assessment of the spermatozoon ultrastructure of Eubothrium crassum (Bloch, 1779) (Cestoda: Bothriocephalidea)

The ultrastructure of the mature spermatozoon of the bothriocephalidean tapeworm Eubothrium rugosum, a parasite of the burbot, Lota lota (L.), was studied by transmission electron microscopy for the first time. In addition, spermatozoon ultrastructure of Eubothrium crassum has been re-assessed. New is the finding, that the mature spermatozoa of both species of the genus Eubothrium exhibit essentially the same general morphology. They are filiform cells tapering at both extremities, and they possess the two axonemes with 9+“1” pattern of Trepaxonemata, attachment zones, a nucleus, cortical microtubules (CMs), electron-dense granules, and a single crested body. Structural polymorphism of the CBs has been found within the two Eubothrium species for the first time. The anterior ring of electron-dense tubular structures surrounding a single axoneme marks the border between the two defined regions, region I and region II of the spermatozoon. This unique feature has only been observed in the Bothriocephalidea. The anuclear axoneme region II of Eubothrium spermatozoa fluently verges into a nuclear region III. The posterior part of the spermatozoon contains one-axoneme, few CMs and a posterior extremity of the nucleus that subsequently disappears. The posterior extremity of the male gametes of the genus Eubothrium exhibits elements of a disorganized axoneme which characterize also spermatozoa of the family Triaenophoridae. Discussed are interspecific similarities and differences between the spermatozoa of the two Eubothrium species as well as between these and other Eucestoda.