Ultrastructural features of spermatocytes and spermatozoids in the fern Phillitis scolopendrium L. Newm subsp. scolopendrium

Phyllitis scolopendrium Newm. subsp. scolopendrium spermatozoids are cells 10 μm long in the form of spirals with about four turns. Their chromatin is partly honeycomb-shaped and partly highly condensed. The nuclear envelope over the latter has a regular, thin intermembrane space crossed by fibers that are probably involved in connecting the chromatin with elements of the microtubular ribbon. The cytoplasm is traversed by long cistern-shaped folds of the plasma membrane, believed to be involved in a late process of cell simplification through segregation and detachment of parts of the cytoplasm. The spermatozoids are embedded in 1-1.5 μm thick amorphous electron-transparent material containing cellulose fibrils. These fibrils are considered a network connected to the original spermatocyte wall and elements of elastic support for the amorphous material. The different polysaccharide composition of the inner and outer parts of the walls causes changes in the size and shape of the ring cells, so that the spermatozoids are pushed against and past the cap cell. The gametes are released through limited laceration of the cap cell. The laceration is due to the generally weak substructure of the cell wall. A light microscope sequence of spermatozoid release and scanning electron microscope features of newly released spermatozoids are shown.