Development Of The Reproductively Functional Form In The Male Blue-Crab, Callinectes-sapidus

Authors

WA van Engel, Virginia Institute of Marine Science

Document Type

Article

Department/Program

Virginia Institute of Marine Science

Publication Date

1990

Journal

Bulletin of Marine Science

Volume

46

Issue

1

First Page

13

Last Page

22

Abstract

The progression of the morphological features of the male blue crab reproductive system that culminate in puberty involves one change in the gonad, four combinations of the method and degree of adherence of the abdomen to the sternum, four variations in the positions of the penes, and four variations in the positions of the pleopods. The sequence of development appears to be established: (I) spennatophores must be present in the anterior vasa deferentia; (2) the abdomen must be completely free of the sternum, or, in addition, may be locked by the sternal tubercles; (3) and the penes and second pleopods must be inserted in the first pair of pleopods.

Recommended Citation

van Engel, WA, Development Of The Reproductively Functional Form In The Male Blue-Crab, Callinectes-sapidus (1990). Bulletin of Marine Science, 46(1), 13-22.
https://scholarworks.wm.edu/vimsarticles/1547