Identification of the Y-organ in the larval stages of the crab, Cancer anthonyi Rathbun.

The Y-organ has been histologically identified in all six larval stages of the crab, Cancer anthonyi. The paired glands are located anterior to the branchial chamber and ventral to the base of the antennules. In the first zoeal stage the gland consists of a cord of 6 to 10 epidermal cells with dark staining nuclei, sparse cytoplasm, and indistinct cell boundaries. As development progresses the glands become more complex through extensive folding and intertwining of the cellular cords. The glands in all larval stages show cyclical activity which corresponds to the molt cycle. Immediately following a molt the gland is dense and compact with little cytoplasm. At approximately day four in the molt cycle, the glands become greatly hyperthropied due to an increase in the number and size of the cytoplasmic vacuoles. These histological changes suggests a cyclical production and presumably the release of some product most likely ecdysone.