Female reproductive morphology of coral‐inhabiting gall crabs (Crustacea: Decapoda: Brachyura: Cryptochiridae)

Abstract

Vehof, J., van der Meij, S.E.T., T€ urkay, M., Becker, C. 2014. Female reproductive morphology of coral-inhabiting gall crabs (Crustacea: Decapoda: Brachyura: Cryptochiridae).-Acta Zoologica (Stockholm) 00: 000-000.Gall crabs are obligate associates of stony corals in which they induce skeletal modifications. In some cryptochirid species, females live in open depressions accessible to males; while in others, females are rather isolated in semiclosed galls, which necessitates elaborate sperm storage capabilities by the female. In this study we investigate the female gross morphology and reproductive systems of Fungicola syzygia lodged in semiclosed flattened pits, Opecarcinus cathyae with semiopen pits and Pseudocryptochirus viridis from shallow open depressions using line drawings and histological methods. The general morphology of the cryptochirids' reproductive systems is uniform and conforms to other thoracotreme brachyurans: paired muscular vaginae of the concave pattern lead from the sternal gonopores into paired seminal receptacles where sperm is stored. The seminal receptacle is internally lined by distinct types of epithelia: a cuticle underlined by a columnar epithelium ventrally, a monolayered secretory epithelium dorsally and a multilayered transfer tissue where the oviducts enter the seminal receptacle. In all studied specimens, the seminal receptacle contained free spermatozoa; however, in specimens of Pseudocryptochirus viridis it also contained spermatophores, indicating a recent insemination. In contrast to most other brachyurans ovaries of the investigated cryptochirids extend into the pleon. The specific degree of ovary extension differs between the studied species and is closely related to female body shape.

Morphology of the female reproductive system of three dorippid crabs (Crustacea: Decapoda: Brachyura: Dorippidae) and the role of accessory cuticle structures associated with seminal receptacles

“…A concave vagina (sensu Hartnoll 1968), as observed in dorippids, is present in several heterotreme crabs, such as Leucosiidae (Hartnoll 1968;Hayer et al 2015), Majoidea (Hartnoll 1968;Diesel 1989;Gonz alez-Pisani et al 2012), Pilumnidae (Hartnoll 1968), Calappidae (Ewers-Saucedo et al 2015), and Hymenosomatidae (Klaus et al 2014), as well as in thoracotreme representatives of Varunidae (Lee & Yamazaki 1990), Ocypodidae (Lautenschlager et al 2010), Pinnotheridae (Hartnoll 1968;Becker et al 2011), Gecarcinidae (Hartnoll 1968;de Souza et al 2013), and Cryptochiridae (Vehof et al 2016).…”

“…During ovulation, the oviducts lead the mature oocytes from the ovaries into the SRs where they come in contact with the stored spermatozoa, and fertilization is initiated (Diesel 1989;Lee & Yamazaki 1990;Sainte-Marie & Sainte-Marie 1998). The SRs are equipped with glandular tissues, which usually line the dorsal area, while the ventral part and the adjoining vagina are cuticle-lined (e.g., Diesel 1989;Beninger et al 1993;Jensen et al 1996;Lanteigne et al 1996;Sant'Anna et al 2007;L opez-Greco et al 2009;Lautenschlager et al 2010;Becker et al 2011;de Souza et al 2013;Zara et al 2014;Vehof et al 2016;Antunes et al 2016;de Souza et al 2017). Diesel (1991) distinguished two types of SRs, a ventral and a dorsal type.…”

The morphology of the reproductive system in the crab Percnon gibbesi (Decapoda: Brachyura: Grapsoidea) reveals a new combination of characters in Thoracotremata

“…Yet, the internal and external relationships of these groups are still controversial (Tsang et al, ). Nevertheless, the reproductive systems of representatives of all four groups have been investigated (Varunidae: Lee & Yamazaki, ; Ocypodidae: López‐Greco, Fransozo, Negreiros‐Fransozo, & Dos Santos, ; Lautenschlager et al, ; Pinnotheridae: Becker, Brandis, & Storch, ; Becker et al, ; Gecarcinidae: de Souza, Silva, Araujo, & Camargo‐Mathias, ; de Souza, Ogawa, Silva, & Camargo‐Mathias, ; Cryptochiridae: Vehof, van der Meij, Türkay, & Becker, ). However, considering the diversity of thoracotremes, there is still a huge lack of data concerning the reproductive systems of this group.…”

The growth and reproductive biology of the coral gall crab, Hapalocarcinus marsupialis Stimpson, 1859 (Crustacea: Cryptochiridae) from Gulf of Aqaba, Red Sea, Egypt

“…Males look free-living may move from one colony to another to mate or share a gall with a female (Castro, 1976;Warner, 1977;McCain & Coles, 1979;and Vehof, Van der Meij, Türkay, & Becker, 2014). Cryptochirid female crabs inhabit cavities for breeding in their entire lives.…”