Ultrastructure of spermatid development within the testis of the Yellow-Bellied Sea Snake, (Squamata: Elapidae).

Little is known about spermatid development during spermiogenesis in snakes, as there is only one complete study in ophidians, which details the spermatid ultrastructure within the viperid, . Thus, the following study will add to our understanding of the ontogenic steps of spermiogenesis in snakes by examining spermatid maturation in the elapid, , which were collected in Costa Rica in 2009. The spermatids of share many similar ultrastructural characteristics to that described for other squamates during spermiogenesis. Three notable differences between the spermatids of and those of other snakes is a round and shorter epinuclear lucent zone, enlarged caudal nuclear shoulders, and more prominent 3 and 8 peripheral fibers in the principal and endpieces. Also, the midpiece is much longer in and is similar to that reported for all snakes studied to date. Other features of chromatin condensation and morphology of the acrosome complex are similar to what has been observed in and other squamates. Though the spermatids in appear to be quite similar to other snakes and lizards studied to date, some differences in subcellular details are still observed. Analysis of developing spermatids in and other snakes could reveals morphologically conserved traits between different species along with subtle changes that could help determine phylogenetic relationships once a suitable number of species have been examined for ophidians and other squamates.