Guangxi Key Laboratory of Beibu Gulf Marine Biodiversity and Conservation, College of Marine Sciences, Beibu Gulf University, Guangxi, China.
Higher Institution Centre of Excellence (HICoE), Institute of Tropical Aquaculture and Fisheries, Universiti Malaysia Terengganu, Terengganu, Malaysia.
Microsc Res Tech. 2024 Jul;87(7):1443-1452. doi: 10.1002/jemt.24524. Epub 2024 Feb 26.
Crustaceans possess a range of sensory organs crucial in sensory perception, communication, and various ecological functions. Understanding morphological and functional differences in antennae among species could validate taxonomic differentiation and ecological adaptations. The antennae morphology and ultrastructure of mud crab species within the Scylla genus are poorly understood, and their role in ecological adaptation and species differentiation remains unexplored. This study aimed to describe and compare the morphology and ultrastructure of antennae in Scylla olivacea, Scylla tranquebarica, and Scylla paramamosain. Antennae were carefully excised from each crab and subjected to morphological, morphometric, and ultrastructural analysis. The study revealed that the antennae of Scylla species exhibit similar overall morphology, with a series of segments that tapered toward the upper end. All species possess non-branched single setae on the upper end of each segment. The number of antennae segments varied between species, with S. paramamosain having significantly more segments than S. olivacea. Additionally, the length and width of antenna segments differed among the species, with S. tranquebarica having a rougher antenna surface compared to S. olivacea and S. paramamosain. Our findings suggest that Scylla's antennae are distinct between species, especially in the number of segments and setae size. Such difference might be related to ecological adaptation. The role of antennae in sensory perception and social behavioral cues in mud crabs warrants further investigation. This study serves as a foundational reference for future research on the taxonomy, ecological adaptation, and sensory behaviors in the Scylla genus. RESEARCH HIGHLIGHTS: Variations and similarities in morphology and ultrastructure of three Scylla species can be found in the antennae. Scylla paramamosain had significantly higher number of segments than Scylla olivacea in morphology feature. The antennae surface of Scylla tranquebarica was rougher than that of S. olivacea and S. paramamosain. Antennae of three Scylla species possess non-branched single setae.
甲壳动物拥有一系列对感觉感知、通讯和各种生态功能至关重要的感觉器官。了解物种之间触角的形态和功能差异，可以验证分类学上的分化和生态适应性。然而，关于橄榄色拟滨蟹、台湾拟滨蟹和锯缘青蟹属中的泥蟹物种的触角形态和超微结构的了解甚少，其在生态适应和物种分化中的作用仍未得到探索。本研究旨在描述和比较橄榄色拟滨蟹、台湾拟滨蟹和锯缘青蟹的触角形态和超微结构。从每只螃蟹中小心地取出触角，并进行形态、形态测量和超微结构分析。研究表明，拟滨蟹属的触角具有相似的整体形态，每个节段逐渐向顶端变细。所有物种在每个节段的顶端都有非分支的单根刚毛。物种之间的触角节段数量不同，锯缘青蟹的节段数量明显多于橄榄色拟滨蟹。此外，触角节段的长度和宽度在物种之间也有所不同，台湾拟滨蟹的触角表面比橄榄色拟滨蟹和锯缘青蟹更粗糙。我们的研究结果表明，拟滨蟹属的物种之间的触角明显不同，尤其是在节段数量和刚毛大小方面。这种差异可能与生态适应有关。触角在泥蟹的感觉感知和社会行为线索中的作用值得进一步研究。本研究为拟滨蟹属的分类学、生态适应和感觉行为的进一步研究提供了基础参考。研究亮点：在形态和超微结构方面，三种拟滨蟹物种的触角存在差异和相似之处。形态特征方面，锯缘青蟹的节段数明显高于橄榄色拟滨蟹。台湾拟滨蟹的触角表面比橄榄色拟滨蟹和锯缘青蟹更粗糙。三种拟滨蟹的触角都具有非分支的单根刚毛。
