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Macrostomum hystrix
Temporal range: No fossils known
Macrostomum hystrix adult
Scientific classification
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M. hystrix
Binomial name
Macrostomum hystrix
Luther, 1905

Macrostomum hystrix is a free-living flatworm of the genus Macrostomum. It is small, transparent and a simultaneous hermaphrodite.

Biology

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Macrostomum hystrix is capable of hypodermic insemination. Thereby sperm is injected through the epidermis into the parenchyma of the mating partner. This is done by a needle-like stylet, which is the male copulatory organ. The stylet has a rigid and pointed distal thickening as well as a subterminal stylet opening which can puncture the epidermis of the mating partner. The sperm have no flagellates and are highly motile, small and simple. Also the female antrum shows a simple anatomy and is involved only in egg laying.[1]

Sperm of Macrostomum hystrix
The needle-like stylet of Macrostomum hystrix. Further the seminal vesicle as well as developing eggs can be recognized.
The needle-like stylet of Macrostomum hystrix. Further the seminal vesicle as well as developing eggs can be recognized.

Macrostomum hystrix does not only use hypodermic insemination for outbreeding but also self-fertilization, also known as selfing, has been shown in isolated worms. Thereby they inject their own sperm mainly into their head due to physical constraints. From there the sperm apparently migrate to the site of fertilization. Worms that were isolated showed significantly more sperm in their head compared to worms that had the opportunity to cross fertilize.[2] Macrostomum hystrix prefers outbreeding if partners are available because selfing has a cost. The amount of offspring of worms that selfed is reduced as well as the offspring survival. As a consequence Macrostomum hystrix shows delayed selfing, it only starts selfing in the extended absence of mating partners after a considerable delay. So delayed selfing represents a conditional reproductive strategy which allows them to deal with periodic conditions of low mate abundance. [3]

References

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  1. ^ "Mating behaviour and the evolution of sperm design" (PDF). TheSchärerGroup.
  2. ^ "Hypodermic self-insemination as a reproductive assurance strategy" (PDF). TheSchärerGroup.
  3. ^ ""Occurrence, costs and heritability of delayed selfing in a free-living flatworm"" (PDF).
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