Investigating a Method to Measure Sperm Transfer in Chelidonura sandrana (Opisthobranchia: Cephalaspidea)

Authors

Kate Kunigelis, SIT Study Abroad

Home Institution

University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

Publication Date

Fall 2007

Program Name

Australia: Natural and Cultural Ecology

Abstract

This paper investigates possible methods for measuring sperm transfer in the internal fertilizing, simultaneous hermaphrodite Chelidonura sandrana (Opisthobranchia: Cephalaspidea). Comparing sperm amount transferred in copulations has significance for testing the assumption that sperm transfer is linearly correlated with copulation duration as well as providing a tool for future studies. Various methods of preparing, treating, and viewing sperm samples were attempted. Two unsuccessful pilot studies were conducted to test free sperm counts and measuring sperm pellet surface area. Future research should focus on optimizing centrifugation method for surface area measurements of sperm clusters and resuspending sperm clusters to enable sperm counting. In conclusion, this study provides a background for future work measuring sperm transfer in C. sandrana.

Disciplines

Oceanography

Recommended Citation

Kunigelis, Kate, "Investigating a Method to Measure Sperm Transfer in Chelidonura sandrana (Opisthobranchia: Cephalaspidea)" (2007). Independent Study Project (ISP) Collection. 145.
https://digitalcollections.sit.edu/isp_collection/145