Studies of spermatogenesis in the Hepaticae. II. Blepharoplast structure in the spermatid of Marchantia.

The blepharoplast in a young, developing spermatid of Marchantia polymorpha, is a composite structure consisting of two basal bodies and a subjacent narrow band of axonemal-type tubules that we have termed the "spline." For most of its length, the spline consists of six long parallel tubules that nearly encircle the cell. The spline anterior is asymmetrically widened for about 2 micro by shorter tubules of the same kind. The lateral displacement of three long, adjacent marginal tubules by three short intervening tubules at the spline tip produces a long narrow aperture. Distally, the aperture is closed by the convergence of the displaced tubules with another trio of long tubules. Together, these form the six-membered cell-encircling portion. The expanded spline anterior has, at this stage of development, the four-layered (Vierergruppe) structure, of which the aforementioned tubules constitute the uppermost layer. The lower three strata consist of diagonal fins, elongated chambers, and fine tubules, respectively. The two flagellar bases lie close above the spline tip-one slightly anterior to the other-and diverge unequally from the spline axis. A few triplets extend proximally from the basal bodies, but do not connect with the spline. The anterior basal body is longer than the posterior one.