Sperm head morphology is associated with sperm swimming speed: A comparative study of songbirds using electron microscopy

Evolution; International Journal of Organic Evolution
Hanna Nyborg StøstadMelissah Rowe

Abstract

Sperm exhibit extraordinary levels of morphological diversification across the animal kingdom. In songbirds, sperm have a helically shaped head incorporating a distinct acrosomal membrane or "helical keel," the form and extent of which varies across species. The functional significance of this helical shape, however, remains unknown. Using scanning electron microscopy, we quantified inter- and intraspecific variation in sperm head morphology across 36 songbird species (Passeriformes: Passerida). Using phylogenetic comparative methods, we investigated the relationship between sperm head morphology and both sperm swimming speed and the frequency of extra-pair young (EPY). We found that species whose sperm had a relatively more pronounced helical form (i.e., long acrosome, short nucleus, wide helical membrane, and a more pronounced waveform along the sperm head "core") had faster-swimming sperm. We found no evidence of a relationship between interspecific variation in sperm head morphology and EPY, although we did find that among- and within-male variation in sperm head traits were negatively correlated with EPY. Applying principles of fluid mechanics, we discuss how the helical form of the sperm head may influence swimming speed,...Continue Reading

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Citations

Jan 1, 2019·Evolution; International Journal of Organic Evolution·Tomáš AlbrechtRadka Reifová
Mar 4, 2020·Journal of Evolutionary Biology·Jessica H HadlowRowan A Lymbery
Jul 17, 2020·Proceedings. Biological Sciences·Tim SchmollOddmund Kleven
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Jun 3, 2021·Cells·Leigh W Simmons, Francisco Garcia-Gonzalez
Jun 3, 2021·Animals : an Open Access Journal From MDPI·Gerhard van der Horst

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