Comparative study of the morphology of the female seminal receptacles of Ilia nucleus and Persephona mediterranea (Decapoda, Brachyura, Leucosiidae). Issue 2 (March 2017)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Hayer, Sarah; Köhnk, Stephanie; Schubart, Christoph D.; Boretius, Susann; Gorb, Stanislav N.; Brandis, Dirk
• Is Part Of: Arthropod structure & development. Volume 46:Issue 2(2017:Mar.)
• Page Start: 274
• Page End: 286
• Publication Date: 2017-03
• Subjects: Heterotremata -- Reproduction -- Seminal receptacle -- Histology -- MRI; Arthropoda -- Morphology -- Periodicals; Arthropoda -- Anatomy -- Periodicals; Arthropoda -- Cytology -- Periodicals; Arthropods -- growth & development -- Periodicals; 595
• DOI: 10.1016/j.asd.2016.12.006
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1467-8039

Abstract

Abstract: Because of the poor knowledge of the morphology of the female reproductive organs of most brachyuran crabs, this study investigated two Atlantic representatives of the family Leucosiidae, Ilia nucleus (Linnaeus, 1758) and Persephona mediterranea (Herbst, 1794), using histological methods and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). While the vagina conforms to the concave type, the arrangement of the two chambers of the seminal receptacle differs strongly from that of other eubrachyuran sperm storage organs. Both chambers are oriented laterally within the crab's body. This is in contrast to the dorso-ventral orientation described in most other known brachyuran crabs. The lateral chamber is covered by cuticle, whereas the medial chamber is covered by a holocrine glandular epithelium. The oviduct connection is located ventrally, posterior to the vagina. The oviduct orifice is characterized by a transition from the epithelium lining the oviduct to the seminal receptacle's holocrine glandular epithelium. Moreover, muscle fibres are attached to the oviduct orifice and to the sternal cuticle. This musculature can be interpreted as an important feature in the fertilization and egg-laying process by supporting and controlling the inflow of eggs into the seminal receptacle lumen. The results of this study are compared to the morphology of the seminal receptacle of another leucosiid crab, Ebalia tumefacta (Montagu, 1808), and to those of other known eubrachyuran crabs. Highlights: Both species have a lateral orientation of epithelia of the seminal receptacles. The seminal receptacles are connected to the vulva via a concave vagina. A special musculature is attached to the oviduct and the sternal plate. In Persephona mediterranea the size of the glandular epithelia can vary with the seasons.