Observations on the nature of neurosecretion in the marine crab Portunus sanguinolentus (Herbst) (Crustacea: Brachyura)

Several types of NS cells were identified in Portunus sanguinolentus--five types (A, A', B, C and D) in the brain and thoracic ganglion, four types (A, B, C and D) in the commissural ganglia and four types (alpha, beta, gamma and delta) in the optic ganglia. The distribution of these NS cells is described. Cytochemically, the neurosecretory material in the NS cells has a carbohydrate moiety and is rich in disulphide groups, lipids, phospholipids and RNA. It contains a small amount of sulphydryl groups and protein-bound NH2 groups, but no tyrosine or tryptophan. The NS activity of the brain was found to be closely associated with the reproductive and moult cycles. Just before the initiation of vitellogenesis and moulting the NS cells display secretory hyperactivity. Axonal transport of NS material was also observed in the NS cells.     

A new type of brachyuran seminal receptacle in the masked crab Ethusa mascarone (Brachyura,Ethusidae)

The reproductive system of the female Ethusa mascarone was studied with a combination of histological and MRI‐techniques. The study reveals a completely new type of eubrachyuran seminal receptacle. This receptacle consists of two largely separate chambers that engage with each other in a manner similar to shaking hands. One chamber facing the medial axis is lined by cuticle while the second chamber consists of a thick holocrine epithelium. Both chambers are connected by two openings of a unique structure. First, the glandular chamber opens ventro‐laterally to the cuticle chamber via a laterally flattened connective duct that is lined by a highly folded cuticle. A second opening connects both chambers dorsally with the oviduct orifice. A distinct character is the cuticular hook‐like projection that is situated in between the connection of oviduct opening, the glandular chamber and the cuticle chamber of the seminal receptacle. The complete seminal receptacle exhibits a combination of plesiomorphic and apomorphic characters. The arrangement of the receptacles featured in two separate chambers, including the ventro‐lateral connection of the glandular chamber to the cuticle chamber, presumably reflects an early evolutionary stage of an eubrachyuran receptacle. In contrast, the dorso‐lateral opening between both chambers, including the hook‐like projection, appears to be an apomorphic character of at least E. mascarone. J. Morphol. 277:1497–1508, 2016. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.     

Observations on the morphology and histology of the foregut of Portunus sanguinolentus (Crustacea: Brachyura)

The morphological and histological characteristics of the foregut of the crab Portunus sanguinolentus (Herbst) are described, with special reference to the lining and glands of the oesophagus. The oesophagus is lined throughout with an outer keratin and an inner collagen layer. Glands secreting mucopolysaccharides are to be found embedded in the connective tissue of the oesophagus. Details of the armature of the pyloric stomach are given.     

Studies of the neurohaemal organ (sinus gland) of the portunid crab Portunus sanguinolentus (Herbst) (Brachyura). 1. Morphology and histology in relation to moulting

The morphological and histological characters of the neurohaemal organ (sinus gland) of Portunus sanguinolentus are described in detail. The sinus gland lies on the dorsal surface of the optic ganglia, opposite the medulla interna. Histological techniques showed the presence of three tinctorially different secretory granules in the sinus gland. The predominant type of secretory material is basophilic and occurs as large granules, while two types of acidophilic material occur near the basement membrane. Cyclic changes in the relative amounts of acidophilic and basophilic material in correlation to moulting are also discussed. Allochthonous cells present in the sinus gland are identified.     

Identification of polymorphic microsatellite loci in the mud crab Scylla serrata (Brachyura: Portunidae)

Five microsatellite loci are identified and characterized from the genome of Scylla serrata, a widespread and commercially important species of coastal marine crab. The loci were detected by randomly screening for di‐ and tri‐nucleotide repeat units within a partial genomic library developed for the species. The five loci consist of dinucleotide repeats and are both co‐dominant and polymorphic within the species. A sample (N = 36) of S. serrata from one Australian population has an average observed heterozygosity of 0.875 and provides no evidence of either linkage among loci or significant deviation from random mating expectations across loci. PCR products for each of the five loci were also observed from a small sample of three other species within the Scylla genus. These markers may provide genetic information that will be useful for both aquaculture and studies of natural populations of the genus.     

Observations on the morphology and histochemistry of the midgut and hindgut of Portunus sanguinolentus (Herbst) (Crustaceans: Brachyura)

The midgut of Portunus sanguinolentus comprises the intestine, the anterior and posterior midgut caeca and the hepatopancreas. The hindgut comprises the rectum, which continues to the anus, a slit-like opening on the ventral surface of the telson. The limits of the midgut and hindgut are specified. The midgut has no cuticle, whereas the hindgut is lined with a cuticle composed of an outer keratin and an inner collagen layer. Four types of cells--E,R,F, and B--were differentiated in the hepatopancreas. Histochemically, the hepatopancreas contains moderate amounts of glycogen and large quantities of lipids and proteins, but no mucopolysaccharides.     

Structure of the male reproductive system of the blue swimmer crab Portunus pelagicus (Decapoda: Portunidae)

An attempt was made here to study the structure of the male reproductive system of Portunus pelagicus, which would improve the knowledge base on the reproductive biology of the species and also help in the maintenance of broodstock under controlled conditions. Male P. pelagicus of different sizes were collected from the Palk Bay off Mandapam (9°17′ N, 79°9′ E) and maintained under controlled conditions for the study. Tissues from testis, anterior vas deferens (AVD), median vas deferens (MVD), posterior vas deferens (PVD), ejaculatory duct and penis were fixed in Bouin's fluid and 2.5% buffered glutaraldehyde separately and processed for light and electron microscopic studies, respectively. The reproductive system consisted of testis, commissure, vas deferens, ejaculatory duct and penis. The vas deferens was divided based on the morphology and/or histology into AVD, MVD and PVD. The AVD was further divided based on histology into proximal and distal regions, and the MVD, based on diameter into major and minor coils. The testicular lobe had several lobules with a central seminiferous tubule, which continued till the penis. The seminiferous tubule was lined by a layer of cuboidal or columnar epithelium. The lining of the central tubule of the vas deferens formed several ‘folds’, which at times formed ‘pouches’. High incidence of cell organelles in the columnar epithelial cells, aggregations of vesicles and occurrence of blebs at the luminal periphery and the projection of numerous microvilli containing electron‐dense materials into the lumen from the cell lining denoted high secretory activity of the epithelial cells.     

Molecular phylogeny of the western Atlantic species of the genus Portunus (Crustacea, Brachyura, Portunidae)

The genus Portunus encompasses a comparatively large number of species distributed worldwide in temperate to tropical waters. Although much has been reported about the biology of selected species, taxonomic identification of several species is problematic on the basis of strictly adult morphology. Relationships among species of the genus are also poorly understood, and systematic review of the group is long overdue. Prior to the present study, there had been no comprehensive attempt to resolve taxonomic questions or determine evolutionary relationships within this genus on the basis of molecular genetics. Phylogenetic relationships among 14 putative species of Portunus from the Gulf of Mexico and other waters of the western Atlantic were examined using 16S sequences of the rRNA gene. The resultant molecularly based phylogeny disagrees in several respects with current morphologically based classification of Portunus from this geographical region. Of the 14 species generally recognized, only 12 appear to be valid. We recommend that P. vossi be hereafter regarded as a junior synonym of P. spinimanus and that P. bahamensis be regarded as a junior synonym of P. depressifrons . Our analysis suggests that western Atlantic members of the genus can be subdivided into at least three well-defined clades. Pending further molecular analyses with a large subset of species, it appears that the genus is not monophyletic and that it warrants further taxonomic revision.  © 2007 The Linnean Society of London, Zoological Journal of the Linnean Society , 2007, 150 , 211–220.     

Ovarian maturation and oogenesis in the blue swimmer crab,Portunus pelagicus (Decapoda: Portunidae)

The study was aimed at understanding the process of reproduction and the changes happening in the ovary of Portunus pelagicus during maturation, which would be useful for its broodstock development for hatchery purposes. For that, tissue samples from different regions of the ovary at various stages of maturation were subjected to light and electron microscopy, and based on the changes revealed and the differences in ovarian morphology, the ovary was divided into five stages such as immature (previtellogenic oocytes), early maturing (early vitellogenic oocytes), late maturing (late vitellogenic oocytes), mature (vitellogenic oocytes), and spent (resorbing oocytes). The ovarian wall comprised of an outermost thin pavement epithelium, a middle layer of connective tissue, and an innermost layer of germinal epithelium. The oocytes matured as they moved from the centrally placed germinal zone toward the ovarian wall. The peripheral arrangement of nucleolar materials and the high incidence of cell organelles during the initial stages indicated vitellogenesis I. Movement of follicle cells toward oocytes in the early maturing stage and low incidence of mitochondria and endoplasmic reticulum in the ooplasm during late vitellogenic stage marked the commencement and end of vitellogenesis II, respectively. Yolk granules at various stages of development were seen in the ooplasm from late vitellogenic stage onwards. The spent ovary had an area with resorbing oocytes and empty follicle cells denoting the end of one reproductive cycle and another area with oogonial cells and previtellogenic oocytes indicating the beginning of the next.     

Fatty acid compositional changes during the embryonic development of the swimming crab,Portunus pelagicus (Portunidae: Decapoda)

Abstract

The fatty acid composition, moisture, and total lipid of the eggs from the swimming crab, Portunus pelagicus, at three different embryonic stages (within 24 h, during the eye placode stage and the final heart beat stage), were measured. Results showed that the moisture and lipid content significantly increased and decreased (p < 0.05), respectively, as the stages progressed. The most prevalent fatty acids that were initially deposited included C16:0, C18:1n-9, and C18:0, while the most consumed fatty acids were C22:5n-6, C22:5n-3, and C20:1n-7. Among the major fatty acid groups, polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) and long-chain PUFA (LC-PUFA) were consumed more than saturated fatty acids and significantly more (p < 0.05) than monounsaturated fatty acids (p < 0.05). Meanwhile, n-3 PUFA was deposited in significantly higher amounts (p < 0.05) than n-6 PUFA, but both were consumed at similar amounts at 43.4% and 41.3%, respectively. The relatively low amount of C20:5n-3 and C22:6n-3 consumption may indicate these fatty acids were conserved, while the essential fatty acids C18:3n-3 and C18:3n-6 were consumed at high amounts. These findings may have implications for broodstock nutrition in order to formulate a well-balanced diet.     

Notes on the distribution and biology of the deep-sea crab Bathynectes maravigna (Brachyura: Portunidae) in the Mediterranean Sea

Data on the distribution and biology of the deep-sea portunid crab Bathynectes maravigna are reported for the Mediterranean Sea, based on several fisheries research surveys. Densities are low and, therefore, biological data are scarce. In the western Mediterranean, the species is much commoner in Alborán Sea than in the Catalano-Balearic Sea. Occurrences are also scarce in the southern Adriatic and northwestern Thyrrenian Sea, as well as in the Ionian Sea. The Alborán Sea and the seas surrounding the southern Italian peninsula are the areas where densities are the highest. The occurrence depth range was found to be 245–786 m, but most of the occurrences took place deeper than 500 m. Sizes ranged between 9 and 51 mm carapace length in males and between 12 and 51 mm in females. Ovigerous females have been only reported in October–December and March–May. Eighty three percent of both males and females are right-handed. Sexual dimorphism was present in cheliped length with males having longer chelae than females. The species appears to be much commoner in those areas where Atlantic influence is the highest.     

The complete mitochondrial genome of the black mud crab, Scylla serrata (Crustacea: Brachyura: Portunidae) and its phylogenetic position among (pan)crustaceans

The black mud crab, Scylla serrata (Forsk?l 1775), is the most economically important edible crab in South-East Asia. In the present study, the complete mitochondrial genome of black mud crab, S.?serrata, was determined with the sequential polymerase chain reaction and primer walking sequencing. The complete mitochondrial genome was 15,721?bp in length with an A+T content of 69.2?% and contained 37 mitochondrial genes (13 protein coding genes (PCGs), 2 ribosomal RNA genes and 22 transfer RNA genes) and a control region (CR). The analysis of the CR sequence shows that it contains a multitude of repetitive fragments which can fold into hairpin-like or secondary structures and conserved elements as in other arthropods. The gene order of S. serrata mainly retains as the pancrustacean ground pattern, except for a single translocation of trnH. The gene arrangement of S. serrata appears to be a typical feature of portunid crabs. Phylogenetic analyses with concatenated amino acid sequences of 12 PCGs establishes that S. serrata in a well-supported monophyletic Portunidae and is consistent with previous morphological classification. Moreover, the phylogenomic results strongly support monophyletic Pancrustacea (Hexapoda plus “Crustaceans”). Within Pancrustacea, this study identifies Malacostraca?+?Entomostraca and Branchiopoda as the sister group to Hexapoda, which confirms that “Crustacea” is not monophyletic. Cirripedia?+?Remipedia appear to be a basal lineage of Pancrustacea. The present study also provides considerable data for the application of both population and phylogenetic studies of other crab species.     

The reproductive ecology of the invasive Asian paddle crab,Charybdis japonica (Brachyura: Portunidae), in northeastern New Zealand

The Asian paddle crab, Charybdis japonica, native to the northwest Pacific, is an invasive species that has established populations within northeastern New Zealand. Here, we provide a detailed examination of C. japonica's reproductive seasonality and gametogenesis, sizes at physiological maturity, and sex ratios outside its native range. Trapping in the Weiti River Estuary, Whangaparoa (36°38.4′S, 174°43.6′E) from February 2010 to May 2012 indicated a male‐biased population. Reproductive seasonality largely depended on female condition, since males contained ripe spermatozoa year‐round. Female gametogenesis began during late autumn, with oocyte development occurring throughout winter to early spring. Based on the presence of mature gametes during late winter and the appearance of gravid females in early November, mating began during early spring, with spawning in mid‐spring. Spawning coincided with a large drop in the gonad index, and occurred between sea surface temperatures of 17–22°C and 11.75–13.5 h day length. Females remained reproductive for up to 5 months of the year. Histological observation suggested that CW50 (the carapace width at which 50% of the population is mature) for females was 46.39 mm, while CW50 for males could not be determined due to a paucity of immature males. Histological analysis also suggested that females of C. japonica could produce store sperm and multiple broods annually.     

A comparative study of zoeal morphology in the genus Liocarcinus (Crustacea: Brachyura: Portunidae)

The zoeal morphology of Liocarcinus arcuatus, L. corrugatus and L. depurator is described from laboratory reared material and the larvae of L. holsatus, L. puber, L. pusillus and L. marmoreus are reexamined from specimens deposited in the BM (NH). No single meristic character was found that would adequately separate the seven described species of Liocarcinus. Characters that may facilitate separation of later zoeal stages only are listed.     

Spermatogenesis of the spider crab Maja brachydactyla (Decapoda: Brachyura)

This study describes spermatogenesis in a majid crab (Maja brachydactyla) using electron microscopy and reports the origin of the different organelles present in the spermatozoa. Spermatogenesis in M. brachydactyla follows the general pattern observed in other brachyuran species but with several peculiarities. Annulate lamellae have been reported in brachyuran spermatogenesis during the diplotene stage of first spermatocytes, the early and mid‐spermatids. Unlike previous observations, a Golgi complex has been found in mid‐spermatids and is involved in the development of the acrosome. The Golgi complex produces two types of vesicles: light vesicles and electron‐dense vesicles. The light vesicles merge into the cytoplasm, giving rise to the proacrosomal vesicle. The electron‐dense vesicles are implicated in the formation of an electron‐dense granule, which later merges with the proacrosomal vesicle. In the late spermatid, the endoplasmic reticulum and the Golgi complex degenerate and form the structures–organelles complex found in the spermatozoa. At the end of spermatogenesis, the materials in the proacrosomal vesicle aggregate in a two‐step process, forming the characteristic concentric three‐layered structure of the spermatozoon acrosome. The newly formed spermatozoa from testis show the typical brachyuran morphology. J. Morphol., 2010. © 2009 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.     

Isolation and characterization of microsatellite loci in Portunus pelagicus (Crustacea: Portunidae)

Seven dinucleotide and one tetranucleotide microsatellite loci were isolated and characterized, using routine protocols, from the blue swimmer crab, Portunus pelagicus. These loci will be useful for investigating the population structure of this broadly distributed and economically important portunid. In particular, all eight loci were polymorphic in P. pelagicus collected from throughout Australia. In addition, the genotype frequencies at each locus in each population sample were usually not significantly different from those expected under Hardy–Weinberg equilibrium conditions. Six of the eight loci also showed moderate to high levels of polymorphism in an undescribed species of Portunus from northern Australia.     

Molluscan predation by Ovalipes punctatus (De Haan) (Crustacea: Brachyura: Portunidae)

Molluscan predation by the three-spot swimming crab was investigated. The dentition of the heteromorphic chelae allowed crushing, shearing, cutting and holding of prey. Laboratory investigations indicated that small mussels and gastropods were crushed, the larger mussels were prized open, and the foot of the larger gastropods shredded and bits removed. Stomach contents of freshly captured crabs indicated that the crabs are selective carnivores and preferred prey species which are not most abundant in situ (crabs from Kings Beach, Donax serra Röding; crabs from Maitlands River Beach, Bullia rhodostoma Reeve). Ovalipes punctatus (De Haan) foraged on a variety of prey and had no upper prey size limit, but the crabs did show preferences for certain prey sizes. Data indicate that the swimming crabs can effectively utilize the entire mollusc populations on the beaches as prey items.