Cc. Tudge et Bgm. Jamieson, SPERMATOPHORE AND SPERMATOZOAL MORPHOLOGY IN THE PORCELLANIDAE .2. THE GENERA PETROLISTHES AND POLYONYX (DECAPODA, ANOMURA), Journal of crustacean biology, 16(3), 1996, pp. 535-546
The porcellanid genera Petrolisthes and Polyonyx are shown to have dif
fering spermatozoal morphology reflecting an apparently natural divisi
on of the family previously suggested on adult and larval somatic morp
hology. Species investigated in the genus Petrolisthes have spermatozo
a with a globular nucleus and autapomorphic opercular ridge and tubula
r ring structure within the acrosomal vesicle. Spermatozoa of Polyonyx
transversus (Haswell) have a long ''taillike'' nucleus penetrated thr
oughout by a central microtubular core. This latter spermatozoal morph
ology is shared with other members investigated in the ''Porcellana-gr
oup,'' (Aliaporcellana and Pisidia). All the Porcellanidae investigate
d share a suite of spermatozoal characters that unite them (superior a
crosomal vesicle; broad, centrally perforate operculum; 4 or more exte
rnal microtubular arms; perforatorial chamber wall folded into corruga
tions or septa; dense perforatorial cone; posterior perforatorial ring
and divided inner acrosome zone). A unique spermatophore morphology,
consisting of a tubular extension of the anterior end of the ampulla,
is described for representatives in the genus Petrolisthes.