The data obtained in the present study on spermiogenesis and spermatozoal ultrastructure of Pseudopimelodidae and Heptapteridae show that they share some characteristics, but greatly differ from each other. The main differences are the occurrence of type I spermiogenesis in Pseudopimelodidae and type III in Heptapteridae, the presence of nuclear fossa in Pseudopimelodidae and its absence in Heptapteridae, the presence of long midpiece in Pseudopimelodidae and short midpiece in Heptapteridae, the presence of cytoplasmic canal in Pseudopimelodidae and its absence in Heptapteridae, the presence of many large vesicles in the midpiece of Pseudopimelodidae and the presence of very long vesicles placed in the peripheral distal region in Heptapteridae, and mitochondria distributed all over the midpiece in Pseudopimelodidae, and very close to the nucleus in Heptapteridae. Heptapteridae and Pimelodidae share several characteristics, such as type III spermiogenesis, a similar chromatin condensation pattern, and the absence of nuclear fossa and flagellar lateral fins. The spermatozoa of Pseudopimelodidae is more similar to those of Siluridae. However, the absence of additional data on spermiogenesis and spermatozoa in siluriforms still limits a broader discussion in the order.
catfish; spermatid; sperm; structure; phylogeny
