Reproductive system and size maturity of the paddle crab Ovalipes trimaculatus (Brachyura: Portunidae) along the Argentine coast

Ovalipes trimaculatus (de Haan, 1833) is a commercial species captured in the Mar del Plata coast, Argentina. However, no studies were conducted in order to study its population features neither its reproductive biology. The morphometric and physiological maturity of both sexes, the histology of the...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Journal of crustacean biology 2014, Vol.34 (3), p.357-366
Main Authors: Vallina, Micaela, Paz Sal Moyano, María, Cuartas, Elena Irene, Gavio, María Andrea
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Brachyura
Crabs
Crustaceans
Decapoda
Ecology
Gonads
Histology
Ovalipes
Ovaries
Portunidae
Reproductive system
Sexual maturity
Spermatophores
Spermatozoa
Zoology
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Summary:Ovalipes trimaculatus (de Haan, 1833) is a commercial species captured in the Mar del Plata coast, Argentina. However, no studies were conducted in order to study its population features neither its reproductive biology. The morphometric and physiological maturity of both sexes, the histology of the female seminal receptacle and ovary, and the ultrastructure of the male gonopods were studied in the present paper. In females, morphometric maturity (44.6 mm of carapace width, CW) was acquired prior to physiological maturity (54.6 mm CW). By contrast, in males, physiological maturity (46.6 mm CW) was acquired prior to morphometric maturity (52.3 mm CW). The ovary is connected to the dorsal part of the seminal receptacle. Neither Spermatophores, nor sperm packets were found inside the seminal receptacle; instead free spermatozoids were observed indicating that sperm from different males is probably mixed favoring sperm competition. The ultrastructure of the male gonopods was similar to the described for other Brachyura. Different types of setae and the presence of internal rosette glands were described and probable functions were suggested.
ISSN:0278-0372
1937-240X
DOI:10.1163/1937240X-00002239