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Functional morphology of the male reproductive system in Callichirus major (Crustacea: Decapoda: Axiidea): Evidence of oocytes in the gonad
Author(s) -
Souza Tugstênio L.,
Braga Adriane A.,
LópezGreco Laura S.,
Nunes Erika T.
Publication year - 2018
Publication title -
acta zoologica
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.414
H-Index - 37
eISSN - 1463-6395
pISSN - 0001-7272
DOI - 10.1111/azo.12189
Subject(s) - biology , vas deferens , gonad , spermatid , anatomy , sperm , reproductive system , spermatogenesis , andrology , zoology , endocrinology , medicine , botany
Callichirus major inhabits the intertidal region of marine ecosystems and it is frequently used as live bait for fishing. This study aimed to describe the functional anatomy of the male reproductive system by microscopic techniques. The animals were collected along the Corujão beach, Piuma— ES , Brazil, and, in laboratory, the males were classified into two phases: immature ( IM ) and developed ( DE ) based on the macroscopic characteristics of the gonads. The gonad and vas deferens were dissected for histological routine and histochemical tests. Histologically, it was noted that in both phases, the more distal region of gonads has ovarian characteristics, showing developing oocytes. Also, different male germ cells were identified: spermatogonium ( SPG ), spermatocytes I and II ( SPTCI , SPTCII ), initial and final spermatid ( IS , FS ) and sperm ( SPZ ). Accessory cells with spherical or pyramidal nuclei were also present inside the testicular lobules. According to the vas deferens structure, three regions can be characterized: proximal ( PVD ), middle ( MVD ) and distal ( DVD ). In the lumen of the vas deferens, a spermatophoric matrix highly reactive for histochemical tests was observed. The presence of female germ cells in males suggests the occurrence of intersexuality or hermaphroditism in this species.