MORPHOLOGY OF TESTIS AND VAS DEFERENS IN THE XANTHOID CRAB, ERIPHIA VERRUCOSA (FORSKAL, 1775) (DECAPODA: BRACHYURA)

Abstract

The anatomy of the male reproductive organs of the brachyuran crab Eriphia verrucosa is presented, with a detailed analysis of the histology and histochemistry of the regional structure of the testis and vas deferens. The H-shaped testis is subdivided into three distinct parts: anterior, intermediate and posterior. The vas deferens is continuous with the posterior part of the testis, ends at the gonopore, and is subdivided into three distinct regions: proximal, medial and distal. The anterior part of the testis exhibits convoluted lobules including seminiferous tubules. Whereas the intermediate part of the testis has a simple columnar epithelium, the posterior part of the testis has a simple squarrous epithelium. In the proximal and medial regions of the vas deferens, there is a simple cubic epithelium, while in the distal region of the vas deferens there is a high columnar epithelium. Spermatophores are first formed in the convoluted proximal region of the vas deferens and are encapsulated by mainly protein secretions in the distal region. These results suggest that the testis and vas deferens of Eriphia show similarity to the testis and vas deferens of other brachyuran crabs except for some slight differences. During formation of the spermatophores in the vas deferens the spermatozoa are prepared for successful fertilization.