Seminal fluid production and sperm packaging in dromiid crabs (Brachyura, Podotremata)

Bento, Maria Alice Garcia; Greco, Laura S. López; Zara, Fernando José

doi:10.1016/j.zool.2018.09.001

Cited by 5 publications

(15 citation statements)

References 55 publications

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“…Spermatogenesis and spermiogenesis in H. plana follows the pattern of primary spermatocytes with chromosomes in the meiotic prophase, and secondary spermatocytes with homogeneous and less voluminous nuclei. The spermatids increase the PAS‐positive acrosomal vesicle at the same time as the nucleus becomes cup‐shaped as described in many other crabs belonging to Podotremata and Eubrachyura (Antunes et al, ; Garcia Bento et al, ; Nascimento & Zara, ; Oliveira & Zara, ; Tiseo et al, ; among others). The main finding of spermatozoal histochemistry is that the perforatorial chamber wall and operculum are composed of proteins, as does the basophilic nucleus.…”

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 57%

“…Each testis is typically lobular where spermatogenesis occurs in the seminal tubules and sperm are transported to the vas deferens (VD) by the seminal ducts (Johnson, ; Krol, Hawkins, & Overstreet, ; Zara, Toyama, Caetano, & López‐Greco, ). In most species, including basal crabs, the VD is often large and highly convoluted duct (Antunes, Zara, López‐Greco, & Negreiros‐Fransozo, ; Garcia Bento, López‐Greco, & Zara, ), however, the VD can also be sinuous and short as in Metacarcinus edwardsii (Pardo, Fuentes, Oluín, & Orensaz, ). Regardless of its complexity, the vas deferens has three major regions (anterior, middle, and posterior).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…However, in the current literature there is a certain bias toward portunid and majoid crabs, especially for the male reproductive system (Beninger, Elner, Foyle, & Odense, ; Diesel, ; Hinsch & Walker, ; Johnson, ; Shinozaki‐Mendes & Lessa, ; Simeó et al, ; Zara et al, ). Despite some recent advances in basal crabs (Garcia Bento et al, ), the Eubrachyura are poorly represented (as Pinnotheridae studied by Becker, Türkay, & Brandis, ; Geryonidae by Melville‐Smith, ; Eriphiidae by Erkan, Tunali, Balkis, & Oliveira, ; Ocypodidae Castilho, Ostrensky, Pie, & Boeger, ) or only briefly described (e.g., Platyxanthidae by Farias, Spivak, & Luppi, ).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Integrative depiction of the male reproductive system of the commercial purple crab Homalaspis plana (Platyxanthidae): Structure and function

Pardo

Zara

Riveros

et al. 2019

Journal of Morphology

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The information available on structures and function of reproductive systems are female-biased in many animal groups and crabs are not an exception. However, knowledge about the male reproductive system can help us to understand evolutionary and ecological processes such as the mating system and mating behavior. This study focuses on an integrative description of the principal regions of the male reproductive system of the purple crab, Homalaspis plana, a commercially exploited crab from the southeastern Pacific. For this description a combination of morphological observation, gravimetric records, histological and histochemical techniques and biochemical analysis were used. Also, a gross description of the seminal receptacle of the female was performed. The male reproductive system of H. plana was highly extended and complex, with a great capacity to produce and store spermatophores and secrete, at least, two kinds of seminal fluids. Sperm production, sperm packaging in spermatophores, storage of spermatophores and seminal liquid secretion were functions localized in specific regions. The vasosomatic index was the highest recorded to date in crabs, symptomatic of a high investment in reproduction. All these traits allow identification of H. plana as an internal sperm plug producer, which matches well with the highly extensible seminal receptacle of females. The great quantity of seminal material transferred to females during mating indicates that males may be able to mate only one time in the reproductive season and thus this species could be vulnerable to sperm depletion in males and sperm limitation in females if the fishery substantively reduced the abundance of males in the populations. K E Y W O R D S Brachyura, mating systems, seminal receptacle, sperm plug, vas deferens

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Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 57%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

See 1 more Smart Citation

Integrative depiction of the male reproductive system of the commercial purple crab Homalaspis plana (Platyxanthidae): Structure and function

Pardo

Zara

Riveros

et al. 2019

Journal of Morphology

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“…brachydactyla , cells are organized in germinal zones arranged opposite to the evacuation zone (seminiferous tubule lumen), that characterizes, the tubular‐type testis (Simeó et al, 2009, 2010). Tubular testes were also found in Podotremata and other Eubrachyuran crabs (Antunes, Zara, López‐Greco, & Negreiros‐Fransozo, 2018; Garcia Bento, López‐Greco, & Zara, 2018; Tiseo et al, 2014).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 84%

“…The spermatids undergo three maturation stages, which seems to be a typical feature of brachyurans, including Podotremata (Garcia Bento, López‐Greco, & Zara, 2018; Stewart et al, 2010; Tiseo et al, 2014; Zara et al, 2012). Although similar in size to secondary spermatocytes (Nascimento & Zara, 2013; Zara et al, 2012), early spermatids have a nucleus with diffuse and homogeneous heterochromatin, due to chromatin decondensation after the last meiosis (Langreth, 1969; Medina & Rodríguez, 1992; Simeó et al, 2010; Stewart et al, 2010).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Ultrastructure and histochemistry of the male reproductive system of the genus Callinectes Stimpson, 1860 (Brachyura: Portunidae)

Watanabe

Nascimento

Mantelatto

et al. 2020

Journal of Morphology

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We described the ultrastructure and histochemistry of the reproductive system of five Callinectes species, and evaluate the seasonal variation in weight of the reproductive system and hepatopancreas by comparing annual changes of somatic indices. The somatic indices changed little throughout the year. In Callinectes, spermatogenesis occurs inside the lobular testes and, within each lobule, the cells are at the same developmental stage. Spermatogenesis and spermiogenesis follow the same development pattern in all Callinectes studied. Mature spermatozoa are released into the seminiferous ducts through the collecting ducts. Cells of the vas deferens are secretory as evidenced by rough endoplasmic reticulum, Golgi complex, and secretory vesicles that produce the seminal fluid. The anterior vas deferens shows two portions: proximal and distal. In proximal portion (AVDp), spermatozoa are clustered and embedded in an electron-dense, basophilic glycoproteinaceous secretion Type I. In the distal portion (AVDd), the spermatophore wall is formed by incorporation of a less electron-dense glycoproteinaceous secretion Type II. The secretion Type I change to an acid polysaccharide-rich matrix that separates the spermatophores from each other. The median vas deferens (MVD) stores the spermatophores and produces the granular glycoproteinaceous seminal fluid. The posterior vas deferens (PVD) has few spermatophores. Its epithelium has many mitochondria and the PVD seminal fluid changes into a liquid and homogeneous glycoprotein. Many outpocketings in the PVD and MVD help to increase the fluid production. Overall, the reproductive pattern of Callinectes is similar to other species that produce sperm plugs. The secretions of AVD, MVD, and PVD are responsible for the polymerization that forms the solid, waxy plug in the seminal receptacle. The traits identified here are common to all Portunidae species studied so far.

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From copula to fertilization: The reproduction of primitive crabHypoconcha parasitica(Linnaeus, 1763) (Podotremata: Dromiidae)

Bento

Greco

Mantelatto

et al. 2022

The Anatomical Record

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This study describes the mating behavior of Hypoconcha parasitica under laboratory conditions highlighting the spermathecal morphology and focusing on the seminal fluid storage and release of spermatozoa. The pairs were kept in aquaria where the mating behavior was recorded and described. The spermathecae of the female were analyzed using scanning electron microscopy, X‐ray micro‐CT, histology, and histochemistry. No pre‐ or post‐copulatory mate guarding was observed in H. parasitica. The sperm transfer occurred with each pair maintaining the protection shield (bivalve shell) on their dorsum. The pair of spermathecae is covered exclusively by the cuticle, following the Podotremata pattern. Many muscle fiber bundles are attached to the cuticular wall facing toward the cephalothorax cavity, especially covering the lateral and slightly dorso‐anterior region toward the apodeme of Sternite 7. The spermathecal organization indicates that the process of sperm release during fertilization occurs through muscular action exerted by the female on the wall of the chamber. Thus, the musculature distribution in Hypoconchinae distinguishes them from described for other Podotremata such as Homolidae, which shows the musculature associated with the spermathecae aperture. Like the Homolidae, the first pleopod in H. parasitica seems to take part in the transfer/ movement of spermatozoa and oocytes between the sternum and abdomen, which forms a temporary chamber where fertilization occurs. In conclusion, the spermathecal morphology and associated structures bring new insights to the mechanisms involved in the sperm storage and fertilization of primitive crabs and how the Dromiidae spermatheca perform a new pattern among the poorly studied Podotremata.

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Seminal fluid production and sperm packaging in dromiid crabs (Brachyura, Podotremata)

Cited by 5 publications

References 55 publications

Integrative depiction of the male reproductive system of the commercial purple crab Homalaspis plana (Platyxanthidae): Structure and function

Integrative depiction of the male reproductive system of the commercial purple crab Homalaspis plana (Platyxanthidae): Structure and function

Ultrastructure and histochemistry of the male reproductive system of the genus Callinectes Stimpson, 1860 (Brachyura: Portunidae)

From copula to fertilization: The reproduction of primitive crabHypoconcha parasitica(Linnaeus, 1763) (Podotremata: Dromiidae)

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