Copulatory system of the spider crab Libinia spinosa (Crustacea: Brachyura: Majoidea)

Abstract

Functional morphology of the male gonopods, female holding systems and vulvae of Libinia spinosa are described using scanning electron microscopy and histological sections, establishing differences between immature and mature individuals. The first gonopod of mature males, larger than 35.1 mm of carapace width (CW), is long, slender, and ending in two wing-like processes; abdominal, characterized by the presence of a sub-terminal seminal canal, and sternal, closed and where the cuticle holds setae. In immature males, smaller than 29.9 mm CW, both processes are shorter, and the tip of the abdominal process closed. Six different types of setae are described for both gonopods. Internally, the gonopods have rosette glands in immature and mature individuals. The presence of secretions, which may be involved in the moulting process, was observed in immature males towards the external cuticle corresponding to the rosette glands. The rosette glands may be related to reproduction in mature males. Females presented a press-button holding system and a biconcave vulva. In immature females, smaller than 36.1 mm CW, the vulva aperture was closed by integument bulging to the outside. In mature females, larger than 42.6 mm CW, the locking system was almost fused to the cuticle, and the vulvae showed an open biconcave form with a more inner flexible membrane. Morphological characteristics shown by the gonopods of mature males develop synchronously with the acquisition of physiological maturity, not with morphometrical maturity. The mature holding systems and vulvae of females are developed synchronously with physiological and morphometrical maturity.