Blepharoplast architecture of the midstage spermatid of Riccardia multifida

• Published in: The Bryologist Vol. 98; no. 1; pp. 84 - 91
• Main Authors: Rushing, A.E. (Baylor University, Waco, TX.), Carothers, Z.B, Renzaglia, K.S
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: American Bryological and Lichenological Society 1995
• Subjects: Architecture; BRYOPHYTA; Bryophytes; CELL STRUCTURE; CYTOPLASMIC ORGANELLES; ESPERMATOZOO; ESTRUCTURA CELULAR; Genera; Gyres; LIVERWORTS; Microtubules; ORGANITE CELLULAIRE; ORGANULOS CITOPLASMICOS; Spermatids; Spermatogenesis; SPERMATOZOA; SPERMATOZOIDE; STRUCTURE CELLULAIRE; Taxa; Transition zones; ULTRAESTRUCTURA; ULTRASTRUCTURE
• ISSN: 0007-2745; 1938-4378
• DOI: 10.2307/3243644

The locomotory apparatus of the midstage spermatid of Riccardia multifida (L.) S. Gray is comprised of the characteristic four-layered multilayered structure (MLS) and two superposed, staggered but only slightly overlapping, basal bodies. The lamellar strip (LS) is spatulate in outline, 2.7 µm long and 0.42 µm wide, decreasing in width from the right-hand margin. The overlying spline varies from 14-16 microtubules but typically is comprised of 14 at its maximum width. The anterior basal body (ABB), 0.73 µm in length and inserted 0.45 µm from the anterior margin of the spline, overlaps with the posterior basal body (PBB) which is much longer, at 2.74 µm, and located about 1.12 µm from the spline's leading edge. The ABB is essentially parallel with the spline microtubules while the PBB diverges slightly past the left-hand margin. A closed aperture is located to the right of the spline midline beneath the ABB. Blepharoplast characteristics of the midstage spermatid of Riccardia are consistent with the "average" blepharoplast for the midstage spermatids of the Metzgeriales. Many features of the Riccardia blepharoplast-for example shape of the LS, lengths and stagger of the basal bodies, and number of microtubules comprising the spline-fit well into the midrange for the order.