The ecdysial gland of the spider crab,Libinia emarginata (L). I. Ultrastructure of the gland in the male

The ecdysial glands of mature male Libinia emarginata are pale, yellowish organs composed of lobes of epithelial cells having oval nuclei which are often eccentric and which have one or two nucleoli containing amorphous granular material and coarse strands. The plasma membrane bordering the basal lamina consists of invaginations containing microtubules which may serve to increase the surface area for metabolic exchange. Masses of smooth endoplasmic reticulum and associated vesicles are scattered throughout the cytoplasm. Two or more vacuoles may coalesce. Larger vesicles lie close to the cell surface. Numerous mitochondria with tubular cristae surround the nucleus and frequently are associated with SER. A few Golgi complexes consisting of flattened sacs, cisternae or vesicles, lipid droplets and free ribosomes were seen. Adjacent plasma membranes may be in close apposition or separated by a space filled with vesicles, granules, or blood or supporting cells. This type of ultrastructure is associated with steroid-secreting cells.