Comparative morphology of the gonads of two freshwater crabs (Brachyura: Trichodactylidae) from Argentina

SENKMAN E.; LOPRETTO E.; NEGRO L.; COLLINS P.

Sydney

Congreso; Mid-year meeting The Crustacean Society & International Association of Astacology; 2015

The Crustacean Society - Intenrational Association of Astacology

The shape of the gonads of Zilchiopsis collastinensis and Dilocarcinus pagei has a "U" form not observed in crustaceans, but the internal structure appears to be similar to other related groups. The gonadal stages in freshwater crabs Z. collastinensis and D. pagei were observed macroscopically considering the volume and color, which was validated by histological analysis. These data were useful for identifying sexual maturity in these species. Three stages of ovarian development were found: immature, maturing and mature. Oogonia, oocytes in early and advanced vitellogenesis, follicular cells and post-ovulatory follicles, were observed. The ovary is visible in sizes from 10.50 to 11.70 mm of Z. collastinensis and 17.55 to 21.22 mm in D. pagei. In males two developmental stages were observed: immature and mature. Spermatogonia, spermatocytes, spermatids, spermatozoa and spermatophores were found. The observable testicle size was 28.01 to 28.69 mm and 23.71 to 24.41 mm in Z. collastinensis and D. pagei, respectively. This study provides unpublished data on the reproductive biology of Z. collastinensis and D. pagei, and also poses a new structural design of efficient gonadal distribution of interior space available.