The Blepharoplast of Zamia pumila L.

Abstract

Blepharoplasts of Zamia pumila L. are paired 26-.mu.-diameter multicentriolar bodies in the spermatogenous cell of the pollen tube. Each blepharoplast has ca. 46,000-49,000 centrioles surrounding an electron-dense core. During division of the spermatogenous cell, the centrioles migrate outwardly, collectively forming a sphere of somewhat greater diameter than the blepharoplast, which then collapses to form a somewhat irregular mass of evenly distributed centriolar clusters adjacent to each of the two spermatid nuclei. A multilayered structure appears in the midst of these clusters and organizes the spiral band to which the spline apparatus (an array of cytoskeletal microtubules) and numerous flagellar basal bodies are attached. The mature spermatozoid has ca. 40,000-50,000 flagella.