SPERMATOZOA OF 2 ELEDONE SPECIES (CEPHALOPODA, OCTOPODA)

Spermatozoa from testes and spermatophores of two octopod species, Ele done cirrhosa and E. moschata, have been investigated by electron micr oscopy. At the base of the mature sperm acrosome of both species a wel l developed, periodic, conical structure is present. This structure is strikingly similar to that present in the Octopus sp. acrosome. Also the modalities of formation of such a structure during spermiogenesis show strong similarities between the Octopus and Eledone genera. The r esistance to disruption of sperm chromatin of E. cirrhosa and E. mosch ata after treatments with sos and mercaptoethanol which are known to d issolve disulfide-bridges, reveals the presence of S-S crosslinks.