The structure and histochemistry of the oesophageal glands in the crabMenippe rumphii (Frabricius) (Crustacea : Brachyura)

Abstract

In the crab Menippe rumphii, embedded in the connective tissue of tbe oesophagus there are salivary or oesophageal glands. Each gland is made up of four to eight conical cells with a central cavity. Histochemical observations on the gland cells have shown the presence of some neutral and weakly acidic sulfated mucopolysaccharides. The glands are positive to toluidine blue showing gamma metachromasia. Similar type of glands are also observed in the wails of the hindgut. The cytochemical details of the gland cells have been discussed in detail.

Morphology and ultrastructure of the esophagus during the ontogeny of the spider crab Maja brachydactyla (Decapoda, Brachyura, Majidae)

“…Another set of muscles observed in M . brachydactyla received names such as “dilator muscles” (Erri Babu et al, ; Erri Babu et al, ; Pillai, ; Reddy, ; Yonge, ), “extrinsic muscles” (Schmitz & Scherrey, ) and “radial muscles” (Barker & Gibson, ). Their function has been associated with expansion of the esophagus required to swallow the food in amphipods (Schmitz & Scherrey, ) and the present study suggests the same function for M. brachydactyla : the contraction of the “dilator muscles” could press the epithelium toward the connective tissue facilitating the expansion of the lumen.…”

“…The rosette glands received numerous names based on their location (“tegumental,” “esophageal,” or “intestinal glands”), shape (“rosette glands”) or hypothetical function (“salivary glands,” or “cement glands”), but no agreement has been achieved, set, on their terminology (Gorvett, ; Reddy, ; Trinadha Babu et al, ; Yonge, ). The rosette glands have been described in the adult esophagus of diverse brachyurans (Barker & Gibson, ; Erri Babu et al, ; Erri Babu et al, ; Heeren & Mitchell, ; Reddy, ; Trinadha Babu et al, ), astacideans (Barker & Gibson, ; Yonge, ), achelatans (Johnston & Alexander, ), carideans (Pillai, ) and penaeids (Dall, ; Sousa & Petriella, ). Although the rosette glands appear to be absent in the esophagus of the immature specimens, they appear near to the mouth opening and mouthparts, coinciding with observations realized in the zoeal stages of S .…”

“…However, in fact the esophagus comprises different structures: longitudinal folds (Felgenhauer, ; McLaughlin, ); internal cuticle surfaces covered by microspines or setae (Elzinga, ; Elzinga & Hopkins, ; McLaughlin, ) and pierced by pore‐like structures (Robertson & Laverack, ); epithelium surrounded by a connective tissue with rosette or “tegumental” glands (Barker & Gibson, ; Erri Babu, Shyamasundari, & Hanumantha, ; Trinadha Babu, Shyamasundari, & Hanumantha Rao, ) and strong circular and longitudinal muscles (Barker & Gibson, ; Erri Babu et al, ; Felgenhauer, ; McLaughlin, ; Trinadha Babu et al, ). However, few publications have focused on this organ (Altner, Hatt, & Altner, ; Erri Babu et al, ; Robertson & Laverack, ; Spirito, ), and the study of the esophagus during the larval stages has been largely neglected in spite of studies focused on the foregut or on the general digestive anatomy (Johnston & Ritar, ; Minagawa & Takashima, ; Schlegel, ; Tziouveli, Bastos‐Gomez, & Bellwood, ).…”

Histology and histochemistry of the tegumental glands inLigia exotica Roux (Crustacea:Isopoda)

“…Schmitz {1967) also expressed a similar opinion from his observations on Gammarus lacustris lacustris. According to Erribabu et al (1979) the secretions playa role in the free passage of the food material and also partly aid in digestion.…”

“…Barker and Gibson (1977) also studied the histochemical nature of these glands in H.gammarus. Shyamasundari (1979) andErribabu et al (1979) elucidated the histochemistry of these glands in the amphipod Talorchestia martensii and the crab Menippe rumphii respectively. The present study attempts to elucidate the histochemical nature of the tegumental glands in Ligia exotica.…”