Assessing the ovarian development of Macrobrachium amazonicum (Heller, 1862) phenotypes by means of an integrative analysis.

Macrobrachium amazonicum is a species of economic interest with a wide distribution in the Americas and high morphological and reproductive variability. Three phenotypes can be observed in this species: i) large-size amphidromous, ii) large-size and iii) small-size hololimnetic prawns. In the present work, the morphological, histochemical and ultrastructural aspects of ovarian development in the three phenotypes were comparatively analyzed.

The ultrastructure of spermatozoa of two species of Aegla (A. parana and A. quilombola) (Crustacea, Decapoda) endemic to Brazil.

The previously published ultrastructure of Aegla spermatozoa contributed to the phylogenetics of this unique taxon. The present study describes the spermatozoa of two additional aeglids, Aegla parana and A. quilombola.

Male reproductive system of the freshwater prawn Macrobrachium brasiliense (Decapoda: Palaemonidae): Notes on spermatophore formation and sperm count.

Studies on the morphology of the reproductive system are essential for understanding the reproduction processes of species or even within genera or families. The present study aimed to describe the functional morphology of the male reproductive system, spermatophore formation, and sperm count of Macrobrachium brasiliense. The anatomy of the reproductive system consists of a pair of testes from which the vasa deferentia (VD) starts, extending to the fifth pair of pereopods.

The first zoeal stage of the deep-sea crab Tetraxanthus rathbunae (Brachyura: Pseudorhombilidae): a morphological description.

The description of the first zoea stage of Tetraxanthus rathbunae Chace, 1939, the third known zoea of Pseudorhombilidae and the first for Tetraxanthus, was carried out from laboratory hatched larvae. Their morphology differs from other pseudorhombilid species previously described primarily in the number and type of setae on the antennule, antennal exopod, maxilla, first maxilliped, and second maxilliped. These zoeae, however, share the same number of spines on the carapace (rostral, dorsal, and lateral), absence of the endopod on the antenna, long and well-developed spinose protopod, maxillary exopod with four marginal plumose setae and a robust posterior process, the absence of setae on the basis of the second maxilliped, and the presence of three lateral spines on each side of the furca.

Is there a trade-off between sperm production and sexual weaponry in the Amazon River prawn Macrobrachium amazonicum (Heller, 1862)?

The Amazon River prawn Macrobrachium amazonicum shows populations with four well-defined morphotypes in males. Dominant males of morphotypes green claw 1 (GC1) and green claw 2 (GC2) have large bodies and chelipeds and a higher reproductive success in comparison with the submissive morphotypes - translucent claw (TC) and cinnamon claw (CC). However, recently, some populations of the species do not have dominant morphotypes.

Checklist of decapod crustaceans from the coast of the So Paulo state (Brazil) supported by integrative molecular and morphological data: V. Dendrobranchiata and Pleocyemata [Achelata, Astacidea, Axiidea, Caridea (Alpheoidea and Processoidea excluded), Gebiidea, Stenopodidea].

This checklist is the fifth and last compilation on the decapod crustaceans reported to So Paulo (Brazil) coastal area, resulting from long-term multidisciplinary projects, which combined morphological analyses and molecular techniques. The current research includes 75 decapod species, herein referred as shrimps/lobsters-like (shrimps, ghost-shrimps, lobsters, and related groups), reported to So Paulo coastal area. These species occur in marine, estuarine, and amphidromous habitats and are classified into 21 families as follow: Aristeidae (2 spp.

From copula to fertilization: The reproduction of primitive crab Hypoconcha parasitica (Linnaeus, 1763) (Podotremata: Dromiidae).

This study describes the mating behavior of Hypoconcha parasitica under laboratory conditions highlighting the spermathecal morphology and focusing on the seminal fluid storage and release of spermatozoa. The pairs were kept in aquaria where the mating behavior was recorded and described. The spermathecae of the female were analyzed using scanning electron microscopy, X-ray micro-CT, histology, and histochemistry.

Seminal fluid and spermatophore production in a western Atlantic invasive swimming crab, Charybdis hellerii, reveals a different pattern to Portunoidea.

The male reproductive system in Portunoidea is voluminous in order to produce the sperm plug, avoiding sperm competition. The portunid crab, Charybdis hellerii, is a successful invasive species, and this study describes the male reproductive system under light and electron microscopy and evaluates the gonadosomatic index and spermatophore dehiscence compared to other species that produce a sperm plug. The reproductive system is small, and its gonadosomatic index much lower than those of other Portunoidea that produce a sperm plug.

Long-Term Evaluation of Poly(lactic acid) (PLA) Implants in a Horse: An Experimental Pilot Study.

In horses, there is an increasing interest in developing long-lasting drug formulations, with biopolymers as viable carrier alternatives in addition to their use as scaffolds, suture threads, screws, pins, and plates for orthopedic surgeries. This communication focuses on the prolonged biocompatibility and biodegradation of PLA, prepared by hot pressing at 180 °C. Six samples were implanted subcutaneously on the lateral surface of the neck of one horse.

Much more than hooked: Setal adaptations for camouflage in Macrocoeloma trispinosum (Latreille, 1825) (Crustacea: Decapoda: Brachyura).

Several majoid crabs are known to adhere exogenous materials to their bodies, a behaviour called decoration. Until now, the adhesion of exogenous materials to the body is most attributed to the well-known hooked setae. Here, we analysed the carapace of Macrocoeloma trispinosum (Latreille, 1825) under light and electron microscopy to study the different mechanisms allowing majoid crabs to decorate themselves.

Checklist of decapod crustaceans from the coast of the São Paulo state (Brazil) supported by integrative molecular and morphological data: IV. Infraorder Anomura: Superfamilies Chirostyloidea, Galatheoidea, Hippoidea and Paguroidea.

This checklist is the fourth contribution resulting from a long-term multidisciplinary project which combined morphological analyses and molecular techniques (mitochondrial DNA markers) for accurate identification of marine and coastal decapod crustaceans of São Paulo State (Brazil). We provide a list of 63 species of the following 11 families of 4 superfamilies of Anomura: Albuneidae (4 spp.), Blepharipodidae (1 sp.

Is Potimirim potimirim (Crustacea, Decapoda, Atyidae) a protandric hermaphrodite species? Behavioral and morphological aspects of the reproductive system.

We evaluated the mating behavior of Potimirim potimirim in the laboratory based on the assumption that this caridean might be hermaphroditic. We also performed histology and scanning electron microscopy analyses of the reproductive system of females, males, and differentiated individuals. The mating experiments produced three behavioral stages, namely, interaction, lateral positioning, and copulation (which did not necessarily occur in this sequence).

Checklist of decapod crustaceans from the coast of the São Paulo state (Brazil) supported by integrative molecular and morphological data: III. Infraorder Brachyura Latreille, 1802.

This checklist is the third part of a series derived from a long-term multidisciplinary project on the biodiversity of decapod crustaceans from marine and coastal environments of São Paulo state (Brazil). We integrated molecular techniques (DNA markers) and morphological analyses of adult specimens for accurate identifications. We compilated 185 species from the literature, but we confirmed the presence of 168 species: 130 of which we sampled, analyzed and obtained sequences (COI and/or 16S totalizing 113 sequences) and 38 that were not directly collected but were confirmed by analyses.

Validation of Xiphopenaeus dincao Carvalho-Batista, Terossi, Zara, Mantelatto amp; Costa and Xiphopenaeus baueri Carvalho-Batista, Terossi, Zara, Mantelatto amp; Costa (Decapoda: Penaeidae) from western Atlantic.

Two species of Penaeidae shrimp from western Atlantic were described by Carvalho-Batista et al. (2019) as Xiphopenaeus dincao and Xiphopenaeus baueri. The descriptions and figures presented by Carvalho-Batista et al.

Ultrastructure and histochemistry of the male reproductive system of the genus Callinectes Stimpson, 1860 (Brachyura: Portunidae).

We described the ultrastructure and histochemistry of the reproductive system of five Callinectes species, and evaluate the seasonal variation in weight of the reproductive system and hepatopancreas by comparing annual changes of somatic indices. The somatic indices changed little throughout the year. In Callinectes, spermatogenesis occurs inside the lobular testes and, within each lobule, the cells are at the same developmental stage.

Size at onset of sexual maturity in Macrobrachium amazonicum (Heller, 1862) phenotypes: an integrative approach.

The size at the onset of sexual maturity (SOM) was determined in four hololimnetic populations of Macrobrachium amazonicum using morphometric, physiological and functional criteria. Male prawns from two populations analyzed had hypertrophied chelipeds and large body proportions, showing the presence of four morphotypes, i.e.

Author Correction: A multigene and morphological analysis expands the diversity of the seabod shrimp Xiphopenaeus Smith, 1869 (Decapoda: Penaeidae), with descriptions of two new species.

An amendment to this paper has been published and can be accessed via a link at the top of the paper.

A multigene and morphological analysis expands the diversity of the seabod shrimp Xiphopenaeus Smith, 1869 (Decapoda: Penaeidae), with descriptions of two new species.

After being stable for nearly a century, the taxonomic history of the genus Xiphopenaeus has been marked by many changes in the last three decades. The taxonomic status of the Atlantic species has a low resolution, and many species are still undefined and grouped as cryptic species. Here we employed an integrative approach to define the species of Xiphopenaeus and the morphological characters needed to differentiate them.

Integrative depiction of the male reproductive system of the commercial purple crab Homalaspis plana (Platyxanthidae): Structure and function.

The information available on structures and function of reproductive systems are female-biased in many animal groups and crabs are not an exception. However, knowledge about the male reproductive system can help us to understand evolutionary and ecological processes such as the mating system and mating behavior. This study focuses on an integrative description of the principal regions of the male reproductive system of the purple crab, Homalaspis plana, a commercially exploited crab from the southeastern Pacific.

Seminal fluid production and sperm packaging in dromiid crabs (Brachyura, Podotremata).

Reproductive anatomy, including sperm storage structures and sperm transfer, is an important feature used to analyze phylogenetic relationships among taxa. We describe the male reproductive anatomy, seminal fluid production and packaging of spermatozoa in the vas deferens of primitive crabs. In all species of Dromiidae, the testes were tubular type and the vas deferens is a tube with a simple epithelium.

Checklist of decapods (Crustacea) from the coast of São Paulo State (Brazil) supported by integrative molecular and morphological data: II. Infraorder Caridea: family Alpheidae.

This study is part of a series of checklists resulting from a long-term multidisciplinary project on the biodiversity of decapod crustaceans from the marine and coastal environments (including estuaries) of São Paulo State (Brazil). For that, we integrated molecular techniques (mitochondrial DNA markers) and morphological analyses of adult specimens for an accurate and detailed identification. The DNA markers were used when the morphological identification was doubtful, particularly in the recognition of cryptic species.

Comparative spermatozoal ultrastructure and molecular analysis in dromiid crabs and their phylogenetic implications for Dromiidae and Podotremata (Decapoda: Brachyura).

We described the spermatozoal ultrastructure and conducted a molecular analysis of Dromiidae Hypoconcha parasitica, Hypoconcha arcuata, Moreiradromia antillensis and Dromia erythropus. To elucidate the relationship between the different species of this brachyuran group, we also compared the spermatozoal morphologies and phylogenetic positioning among species of Dromiidae, Dromioidea and Podotremata. Specimens were collected from the northern coast of São Paulo, Brazil and were fixed and processed followed by transmission electron microscopy and molecular analysis routines.

Checklist of decapods (Crustacea) from the coast of the São Paulo state (Brazil) supported by integrative molecular and morphological data: I. Infraorder Caridea: families Hippolytidae, Lysmatidae, Ogyrididae, Processidae and Thoridae.

The current checklist is the result of a long-term multidisciplinary project which combined molecular techniques (mitochondrial DNA markers) and morphological analyses of adult specimens for an accurate and detailed identification of the total biodiversity of decapod crustaceans from marine and coastal (including estuaries) environments of São Paulo State (Brazil). This is the first of a series of reports and providing a checklist of caridean shrimps of the families Hippolytidae (5 spp.), Lysmatidae (6 spp.

Ultrastructure of spermatozoa of spider crabs, family Mithracidae (Crustacea, Decapoda, Brachyura): Integrative analyses based on morphological and molecular data.

Recent studies based on morphological and molecular data provide a new perspective concerning taxonomic aspects of the brachyuran family Mithracidae. These studies proposed a series of nominal changes and indicated that the family is actually represented by a different number and representatives of genera than previously thought. Here, we provide a comparative description of the ultrastructure of spermatozoa and spermatophores of some species of Mithracidae in a phylogenetic context.

Sperm ultrastructure of shrimps from the family Penaeidae (Crustacea: Dendrobranchiata) in a phylogenetic context.

We describe the sperm ultrastructure of six penaeid species, including at least one member of each tribe (Penaeini, Parapenaeini and Trachypenaeini). Fragments of the vas deferens of the Penaeidae Farfantepenaeus brasiliensis, Farfantepenaeus paulensis, Litopenaeus schmitti, Parapenaeus americanus, Rimapenaeus constrictus and Xiphopenaeus kroyeri were fixed and processed according to the routine for transmission electron microscopy. The morphological results were contextualized in an evolutionary perspective using molecular markers for the phylogenetic reconstruction of this group.