Acta Biologica

Previously: Zeszyty Naukowe Uniwersytetu Szczecińskiego. Acta Biologica


ISSN: 2450-8330     eISSN: 2353-3013    OAI    DOI: 10.18276/ab.2018.25-02
CC BY-SA   Open Access   DOAJ

Issue archive / No. 25
Anatomy of the female reproductive system and sperm storage of the viviparous caecilian Typhlonectes natans (Gymnophiona: Typhlonectidae)

Authors: Jakub Dymek
Department of Comparative Anatomy, Institute of Zoology and Biomedical Research, Jagiellonian University

Anna Dymek
Department of Comparative Anatomy, Institute of Zoology and Biomedical Research, Jagiellonian University

Artur Osikowski
Department of Animal Anatomy, Institute of Veterinary Science, University of Agriculture in Krakow
Keywords: Typhlonectes Gymnophiona reproductive system viviparity sperm storage
Whole issue publication date:2018
Page range:13 (19-31)
Cited-by (Crossref) ?:

Abstract

Here, we describe the anatomy of the female reproductive system of the aquatic, viviparous caecilian Typhlonectes natans. We conducted our research on two adult females using light microscopy and reflected our results with the available literature data on the anatomy of the reproductive systems of caecilian amphibians. The female reproductive system of T. natans consisted of longitudinal, paired ovaries incorporated with fat bodies, paired oviducts and the cloaca. The ovaries were arranged in segmental mannered germinal nests and the oocytes were in various stages of development. Ovulated, postvitellogenic oocytes were present in the oviducts of both females. The wall of the oviduct consisted of three layers: the mucous membrane, layers of muscles and serous membrane. The presence of wedge-like cells, not previously reported in the mucous membrane of the caecilian oviduct is postulated. Although the females possessed ovulated eggs, no sperm were detected in any part of the oviducts leaving the question of eventual female sperm storage in Typhlonectes natans open.
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