Journal of Cell Science, Vol 5, 271-298, Copyright © 1969 by Company of Biologists

Submitted on November 11, 1968

Observations on the Fine Structure and Development of the Spindle at Mitosis and Meiosis in a Marine Centric Diatom (Lithodesmium Undulatum)

II. The Early Meiotic Stages in Male Gametogenesis

¹ Botany Department, University of Leeds England
² Botanisches Institut der Universität, Marburg/Lahn, W. Germany

Various cytoplasmic phenomena, including spindle structure and development during prophase of the first meiotic division, are described and illustrated. The living culture is represented by a timed sequence of photographs continuing those previously published with respect to mitotic stages in the same filament. The meiotic preliminaries include the so-called swelling phase, by which the parental frustule is forced open, liberating the contained spermatocytes. This occurs during pachytene on evidence of chromosome structure which is illustrated. A spindle precursor is shown to be present before opening of the frustule; this resembles structurally the mitotic equivalent though the ground plan is oblong instead of square. Growth of the precursor continues until after opening of the frustule, when the spindle itself begins to be laid down. Two stages of developing spindles during the later prophases are illustrated by sections cut in three planes and by serial sections. Preliminary comparisons are made with metaphase I and with mitosis, both qualitatively and quantitatively, but a full discussion is deferred pending completion of the record for the later meiotic stages.