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Spermatophore and Spermatozoal Morphology in the Porcellanidae. II. The Genera Petrolisthes and Polyonyx (Decapoda: Anomura)

1996; Oxford University Press; Volume: 16; Issue: 3 Linguagem: Inglês

10.2307/1548744

1937-240X

Christopher C. Tudge, B. G. M. Jamieson,

Marine and fisheries research

ABSTRACT The porcellanid genera Petrolisthes and Polyonyx are shown to have differing spermatozoal morphology reflecting an apparently natural division of the family previously suggested on adult and larval somatic morphology. Species investigated in the genus Petrolisthes have spermatozoa with a globular nucleus and autapomorphic opercular ridge and tubular ring structure within the acrosomal vesicle. Spermatozoa of Polyonyx transversus (Haswell) have a long taillike nucleus penetrated throughout by a central microtubular core. This latter spermatozoal morphology is shared with other members investigated in the Porcellana-group, (Aliaporcellanaand Pisidia). All the Porcellanidae investigated share a suite of spermatozoal characters that unite them (superior acrosomal vesicle; broad, centrally perforate operculum; 4 or more external microtubular arms; perforatorial chamber wall folded into corrugations or septa; dense perforatorial cone; posterior perforatorial ring and divided inner acrosome zone). A unique spermatophore morphology, consisting of a tubular extension of the anterior end of the ampulla, is described for representatives in the genus Petrolisthes.