MALE GONOPOD MORPHOLOGY OF THE SPIDER CRAB LIBINIA SPINOSA (BRACHYURA: MAJIDAE).

M. P. SAL MOYANO ; M. A. GAVIO; E. I. CUARTAS

Gramado

Congreso; V Congresso Brasileiro sobre Crustáceos; 2008

In Brachyura the first and second pair of male pleopods are modified as gonopods (G1 and G2) which function is the transference of spermatophores into the female spermathecas. Due to their conservative morphology they are used as taxonomic character. The objective of this study was to review the morphology of G1 and G2 using SEM for external description, and histological sections, stained with standard H & E for internal assessment. In the G1 apical position, rosette glands were observed surrounding the ejaculatory canal internally. They were characterized by the presence of a central pore and peripheral nucleus. Glandular ducts were present through the ejaculatory canal cuticle. The median region presented a thick cuticle, hypodermis and loose connective tissue. At basal region, striated muscle was observed. Presence of bacterial colonies was registered in the last portion of the ejaculatory duct. Externally, G2 presented a girdle, a central protuberance and the appendix masculina in its apical portion, with conical setae showing infracuticular or fused-cuticle insertion. The median region was distinguished by the lack of setae and the basal portion presented branched pinnate setae. Internally, striated muscle was observed at the median and basal regions. The apical portion showed the presence of a central duct, corresponding to the central protuberance. Pores with gland secretion towards the external cuticle were observed in setae insertions.