SEDAO 1:45-55 (2014)  -  DOI: https://doi.org/10.3354/sedao00006

ABSTRACT: Solenocera agassizii is commercially exploited along the Costa Rican Pacific coast and represents around 30% of the country’s total shrimp catch. Despite its economic importance, information on its biology is scarce. Here we describe its secondary sexual characters and spermatophores. The open thelycum is located between Sternites XIII and XIV. A pair of parallel setose projections (Sternite XIV) is distally curved in larger females (<30 mm carapace length); a disk-shaped projection (Sternite XIII) emerges from Pereopod IV and projects towards Sternite XIV, and a triangular emargination is present (Sternite XIII). The semi-open petasma with cincinnulli connecting the pleopods in mature males has sclerotized dorsolateral (DL), ventrolateral (VL) and ventromedian (VM) lobules. The VM tooth-like projections fit the VL tooth-like projections. The DL and VL lobules end in a leaf-like, less sclerotized projection and are separated by a gap. The VL lobule has a patch of spinules and a highly sclerotized costa. An elongated appendix masculina (AM) with concave margin forms a distal subtriangular lobe and has a DL margin with an aggregation of setae. The AM fits inside the appendix interna (AI) and is shorter and narrower than the AM. The spermatophore has superior (wing) and inferior (germinate body) sections. The GB ends in a triangular hook-like structure. The thelycum resembles that of S. geijskesi, whereas the petasma, AM and AI are similar to those of Atlantic solenocerids. The complex spermatophore resembles that of other penaeoid shrimp. According to evolutionary trends, S. agassizii can be considered as a less derived species within the Dendrobranchiata.

KEY WORDS: Thelycum · Petasma · Appendix masculina · Appendix interna · Spermatophore

Full text in pdf format

Cite this article as: Villalobos-Rojas F, Wehrtmann IS (2014) Secondary sexual characters and spermatophores of Solenocera agassizii (Decapoda: Solenoceridae), including a comparison with other solenocerid shrimp. Sex Early Dev Aquat Org 1:45-55. https://doi.org/10.3354/sedao00006 Export citation Share:    Facebook - - linkedIn