Structure of the male reproductive system of the blue swimmer crab Portunus pelagicus (Decapoda: Portunidae)

Abstract

Raghunath, R., Manisseri, M. K. and Sanil, N. K. 2014. Structure of the male reproductive system of the blue swimmer crab Portunus pelagicus (Decapoda: Portunidae). -Acta Zoologica (Stockholm) 95: 176-185.An attempt was made here to study the structure of the male reproductive system of Portunus pelagicus, which would improve the knowledge base on the reproductive biology of the species and also help in the maintenance of broodstock under controlled conditions. Male P. pelagicus of different sizes were collected from the Palk Bay off Mandapam (9°17′ N, 79°9′ E) and maintained under controlled conditions for the study. Tissues from testis, anterior vas deferens (AVD), median vas deferens (MVD), posterior vas deferens (PVD), ejaculatory duct and penis were fixed in Bouin's fluid and 2.5% buffered glutaraldehyde separately and processed for light and electron microscopic studies, respectively. The reproductive system consisted of testis, commissure, vas deferens, ejaculatory duct and penis. The vas deferens was divided based on the morphology and/or histology into AVD, MVD and PVD. The AVD was further divided based on histology into proximal and distal regions, and the MVD, based on diameter into major and minor coils. The testicular lobe had several lobules with a central seminiferous tubule, which continued till the penis. The seminiferous tubule was lined by a layer of cuboidal or columnar epithelium. The lining of the central tubule of the vas deferens formed several 'folds', which at times formed 'pouches'. High incidence of cell organelles in the columnar epithelial cells, aggregations of vesicles and occurrence of blebs at the luminal periphery and the projection of numerous microvilli containing electron-dense materials into the lumen from the cell lining denoted high secretory activity of the epithelial cells.

Development of the male reproductive system in Callinectes ornatus Ordway, 1863 (Brachyura: Portunidae)

“…The nucleus of late spermatids is slender and forms a cup, surrounding the acrosome almost completely. Mature sperm were observed only in the lumen of the seminiferous duct, as reported for cancrids (Fasten, 1918) and portunids (Johnson, 1980;Stewart et al, 2010;Ravi et al, 2012;Zara et al, 2012).…”

“…This synchronous cell cycle found in juveniles and adults of C. ornatus was also described for adult males of other members of Callinectes (Johnson, 1980;Zara et al, 2012). On the other hand, the seminiferous lobules of P. pelagicus are described as asynchronous, showing germinal, proliferative and evacuation zones (Stewart et al, 2010); or as synchronous, filled with cells in the same meiotic stage (Ravi et al, 2012). Other genera such as Arenaeus, Achelous (Portuninae) and Charybdis (Thalamitinae) should be studied in order to determine the usual behavior of the seminiferous lobules during spermatogenesis in Portunidae.…”

“…During spermatogenesis and spermiogenesis, there was a clear reduction of the cellular nucleus from the spermatogonia until the mature sperm. This reduction has also been observed in other crab species such as Ucides cordatus (Linnaeus, 1763) and in particular, in portunids such as C. sapidus, P. pelagicus and C. danae (Johnson, 1980;Castilho et al, 2008;Stewart et al, 2010;Ravi et al, 2012;Zara et al, 2012). However, in Maja brachydactyla Balss, 1922 no nuclear reduction was observed during spermiogenesis (Simeó et al, 2010).…”

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

“…The secretions are thought to contribute to both spermatophore formation and seminal plasma content (e.g., Hartnoll, 1975;Sim eo et al, 2010). We found at least two types of secretions in the vas deferens, while Erkan et al (2009) The medial vas deferens, where spermatophores are stored and seminal plasma is secreted, was strongly widened in N. pinnotheres and P. pisum compared to those of other brachyurans (see Grobben, 1878, Ryan, 1967Beninger et al, 1988;Martins Garcia and Feitosa Silva, 2006;Castilho et al, 2008;Nicolau et al, 2012;Shinozaki-Mendes et al, 2012;Ravi et al, 2012).…”

“…The vas deferens of P. pisum and N. pinnotheres conforms to that of other brachyurans in being lined with glandular epithelium. We found at least two types of secretions in the vas deferens, while Erkan et al (2009) The medial vas deferens, where spermatophores are stored and seminal plasma is secreted, was strongly widened in N. pinnotheres and P. pisum compared to those of other brachyurans (see Grobben, 1878, Ryan, 1967Beninger et al, 1988;Martins Garcia and Feitosa Silva, 2006;Castilho et al, 2008;Nicolau et al, 2012;Shinozaki-Mendes et al, 2012;Ravi et al, 2012). We found at least two types of secretions in the vas deferens, while Erkan et al (2009) The medial vas deferens, where spermatophores are stored and seminal plasma is secreted, was strongly widened in N. pinnotheres and P. pisum compared to those of other brachyurans (see Grobben, 1878, Ryan, 1967Beninger et al, 1988;Martins Garcia and Feitosa Silva, 2006;Castilho et al, 2008;Nicolau et al, 2012;Shinozaki-Mendes et al, 2012;Ravi et al, 2012).…”