Male internal reproductive structures of european pea crabs (Crustacea, Decapoda, Brachyura, Pinnotheridae): Vas deferens morphology and spermatozoal ultrastructure. (11th September 2013)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Becker, Carola; Klaus, Sebastian; Tudge, Christopher C.
• Is Part Of: Journal of morphology. Volume 274:Number 11(2013:Nov.)
• Page Start: 1312
• Page End: 1322
• Publication Date: 2013-09-11
• Subjects: Morphology -- Periodicals; Physiology -- Periodicals; Anatomy -- Periodicals; 571.3
• DOI: 10.1002/jmor.20184
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0362-2525

Abstract

<abstract abstract-type="main"> <title>ABSTRACT</title> <p>Pea crabs of the subfamily Pinnotherinae (Pinnotheridae) have a high investment in reproduction and an outstanding reproductive output, probably as an adaptation to the required increase in reproductive rate due to the pinnotherids small size and their parasitic, host‐dependant way of life. In the present study, we investigate the male internal reproductive structures and the ultrastructure of spermatozoa of <italic>Pinnotheres pisum</italic> and <italic>Nepinnotheres pinnotheres</italic> by histological methods and both scanning‐ and transmission electron microscopy. In the Brachyura, the male internal reproductive systems generally consist of paired testes and corresponding vasa deferentia where spermatozoa develop and mature. Spermatozoal ultrastructure of the investigated pinnotherids conforms to the thoracotreme type, however, <italic>N. pinnotheres</italic> has an accessory opercular ring and a periopercular rim, neither of which are present in spermatozoa of <italic>P. pisum</italic>. Spermatozoa are enclosed within spermatophores in the secretory proximal vas deferens. Two types of secretions were observed in <italic>P. pisum</italic> and <italic>N. pinnotheres</italic>: an electron dense substance secreted in the proximal vas deferens involved in spermatophore formation, and large electron‐luscent vesicles constituting the seminal plasma in the medial and distal vas deferens. The medial vas deferens is strongly widened compared to other brachyurans to purpose storing spermatophores embedded in seminal plasma. Tubular appendices, which produce and store large amounts of seminal plasma, arise from the distal region of the vas deferens. The appendices extend into the ventral cephalothorax and also in the first pleomere. The latter being an exceptional location for reproductive structures among male brachyurans. J. Morphol. 274:1312–1322, 2013. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.</p> </abstract>