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Spermatophore formation and sperm ultrastructure of Sundathelphusa philippina (Crustacea: Brachyura: Gecarcinucidae)
Author(s) -
Klaus Sebastian,
Münzner Susann,
Modenbach AnnaChristina,
Streit Bruno,
Tudge Christopher C.
Publication year - 2013
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/j.1463-6395.2011.00550.x
Subject(s) - spermatophore , biology , sperm , acrosome , vas deferens , ultrastructure , anatomy , semen , botany
We investigated the morphology of spermatozoa, spermatophores and the anterior vas deferens (AVD) of the gecarcinucid freshwater crab Sundathelphusa philippina . The morphology of the acrosome (proportions, structure and arrangement of acrosomal layers) and the spermatophores complies with the known sperm and spermatophore morphology of the brachyuran family Gecarcinucidae. The sperm cells are packed within coenospermic spermatophores that are of a mucous type, lacking a complex spermatophore wall. Spermatophore formation takes place in the distal part of the AVD. The strongly proliferated inner epithelium of the vas deferens releases vesicles via apocrine secretion. These vesicles fuse with the incipient spermatophores that subsequently coalesce, thus forming the coenospermic aggregates that represent the mature spermatophores.