Rosette-type tegumental glands associated with aesthetasc sensilla in the olfactory organ of the Caribbean spiny lobster, Panulirus argus

The lateral antennular flagellum of decapod crustaceans bears unique olfactory sensilla, namely the aesthetascs, and other sensilla types. In this study, we identify a new major tissue in the lateral flagellum of the Caribbean spiny lobster, Panulirus argus, namely “aesthetasc tegumental glands” (ATGs), based on immunostaining with antibodies against CUB serine protease (Csp), in situ hybridization with csp-specific probes, labeling with the F-actin marker phalloidin, labeling with the nuclear marker Hoechst 33258, and staining with methylene blue. Each ATG has 12–20 secretory cells arranged in a rosette. Each secretory cell has a Csp-immunoreactive basal portion and an apical portion containing granular material (metachromatic staining indicative of acid mucopolysaccharides). At the center of each secretory rosette is a phalloidin-positive common locus that gives rise to a main drainage duct projecting toward the cuticle. Scanning electron and light microscopy show that thin ducts traverse the cuticle and connect to “peg pores” proximal to the bases of the aesthetascs, with 3.4 peg pores per aesthetasc. Since the number of common loci is correlated with the number of peg pores, we conclude that each pore represents the outlet of one ATG, and that the secretions are released from them. We conclude further that ATGs and aesthetascs are functionally linked. We hypothesize that ATG secretions have antifouling and/or friction-reducing properties, and that they are spread over the surface of the aesthetascs by antennular grooming. A review of the literature suggests that ATGs are common in decapod crustacean antennules, and that rosette glands and grooming might be functionally coupled in other body areas.This study was supported by NSF IBN 0077474 and NIH DC00312.