Abstract
Sperm ultrastructurc is investigated in the economically important Australian oyster Saccostrea commercialis (Iredale & Roughley). Mature spermatozoa consist of a broad, cap-shaped acrosomal vesicle, sub-acrosomal material (axial rod embedded in a granular matrix), a round nucleus (deeply invaginated anteriorly), two triplet substructure centrioles surrounded by four spherical mitochondria, and a flagellum anchored via satellite fibres to the distal centriole and plasma membrane. Spermatozoa of S. commercialis closely resemble those of other investigated ostreids, with the exception that the anterior region of the acrosomal vesicle is transversely banded. Differences in acrosomal substructure correlate with the known inability of Saccostrea and Crassostrea gametes to interact. Potential exists for use of sperm morphology in the resolution of taxonomic problems within the Ostreoidea.
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