Histological and histochemical analysis of the gonadal development of males and females of Armases rubripes (Rathbun 1897) (Crustacea, Brachyura, Sesarmidae)

Abstract

The objective of this study was to provide information on the histological characteristics of the gonads of male and female Armases rubripes crabs, and to try to establish a relationship between the microscopic and macroscopic stages previously identified. Thirty-six crabs were collected by hand between February 2003 and January 2004 in banks of Spartina alterniflora on Sahy Beach in Mangaratiba, Rio de Janeiro state, Brazil. The histological analysis of the ovaries of A. rubripes demonstrated a gradual process of development of the oocytes. According to their cellular characteristics, five types of cells were distinguished: oogonia, oocyte I, oocyte II, oocyte III and oocyte IV. The ovaries showed four stages during gonadal activity: stage I (rudimentary), stage II (developing or maturing), stage III (developed or mature) and stage IV (resting). The results of the histochemical analyses showed that the ovaries vary according to the gonad development stage. The histological aspect of one section of the male gonad was always the same in all of the seminiferous tubules, where the lumen of these tubules always contained spermatozoa and/or spermatids. It was not possible to characterize the three stages of gonad development in the males. This agrees with previous reports in the literature. However, in the females there was a relationship between the gonad stages distinguished macroscopically and the results obtained through the histological and histochemical analysis, due to the presence of different cell types, as well as the lysis process and reabsorption of the oocytes in spent females.Keywords: crab, gonadal development, histochemistry, Sesarmidae. Análise histológica e histoquímica do desenvolvimento gonadal de machos e fêmeas deArmases rubripes (Rathbun, 1897) (Crustacea, Brachyura, Sesarmidae)

Gonadal development in the freshwater crab Sylviocarcinus pictus (H. Milne Edwards, 1853) (Brachyura: Trichodactylidae) from the Guamá river, state of Pará, Brazil

“…The coloration and cell types followed the pattern described in the literature for other decapod species (Noro et al 2007, Castilho et al 2008, Erkan et al 2009, Santos et al 2009. The cell types found in the male reproductive system were spermatogonia, spermatocytes, spermatids, spermatozoids and spermatophores, which modified the coloration of the gonads throughout the maturation process, ranging from transparent in immature individuals to white in mature individuals.…”

“…With the exception of the post-ovulatory follicles, these cell types have also been found in other species of crabs , Rostant et al 2008, Santos et al 2009, Souza and Silva 2009). …”

Effect of Water Salinity on Ovarian Maturation Stages and Embryonic Development of Mud Spiny Lobster, Panulirus polyphagus

“…Results of histological allowed affirming that the ovaries vary according to gonadal development stage (Santos et al, 2009). Quinitio et al (2007) stated that developing oocytes and the follicle cells or nurse cells are the major cell types found within the ovarian lobes of crustacean, which agreed with the present study of P. polyphagus, where the follicle cells are larger and more obvious in immature gonads.…”

“…The colour of ovary changes with ovaries maturation and ovarian development stages (Islam et al, 2010). The cells that constitute the ovaries are three main types: oogonia, oocytes in different stages of development and follicle cells (Santos et al, 2009). The ovarian maturation cycle is differentiated into seven stages; Immature, Early maturing I, Early maturing II, Late maturing, Mature, Semispent and Spent (Kagwade, 1988a).…”

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

“…In C. ornatus the nuclear volume did not change, indicating that in prophase I of meiosis, the genetic material remain dispersed as in the spermatogonia, despite the events of chromosome condensation. The nuclear morphology of the spermatogonia, primary and secondary spermatocytes have the same histological features described for other Brachyura (Ryan, 1967;Johnson, 1980;Garcia and Silva, 2006;Castilho et al, 2008;Santos et al, 2009;Stewart et al, 2010;Zara et al, 2012).…”