Summer decapod crustacean larval communities along the eastern Spanish Mediterranean coast.

Decapod crustaceans are a diverse group englobing several species of commercial and ecological interest. In the Mediterranean Sea, decapod crustacean fisheries are among the most profitable, although in many cases their early life stages are poorly known. In this study, we tackle the composition and diversity patterns of the decapod larval communities along the eastern Spanish Mediterranean coast. Zooplankton sampling was carried out in surface waters at 101 stations from July 20th to August 31st 2016, over bottom depths between 90 and 1840 m. All shrimp larvae were identified to the lowest possible taxonomical level, and larvae from Anomura, Achelata and Brachyura were left at infraorder level. No larvae of Astacidea or Polychelida were found. The total zooplankton volume was estimated. A total of 20,022 decapod crustacean larvae were identified, focusing on shrimp taxa (suborder Dendrobranchiata and infraorder Caridea). Both zooplankton volume and decapod larval density values were higher in the northern part of the studied area, cut by deep submarine canyons. After assessing the diversity parameters of the decapod larval community, we present the summer mesoscale larval distribution of several species of commercial interest such as the caramote prawn (Penaeus kerathurus) or the deep-water rose shrimp (Parapenaeus longirostris). The northern submarine canyons are dominated by the presence of Penaeoidea, being the deep-sea shrimp Aristeus antennatus the dominant species in the community in this area, while the Sergestoidea are more abundant in the southern zone. This is the largest-scale study on decapod larvae mesoscale distribution in the Mediterranean Sea.

Morphological description of the midgut tract and midgut-hindgut junction in the larvae of the spider crab Maja brachydactyla Balss, 1922 (Malacostraca: Decapoda).

The midgut tract of decapods is a digestive organ involved in the synthesis of peritrophic membrane, food transport, absorption of nutrients, and osmoregulation. The midgut tract has been described in detail in adult decapods, but little information is available regarding the morphology and ultrastructure of the midgut tract in larval stages. The present study describes the midgut tract and the midgut-hindgut junction of the larvae of the common spider crab Maja brachydactyla Balss, 1922 using techniques that included dissection, light microscopy, and electron microscopy. The study is mainly focused on the stages of zoea I and megalopa. The results obtained in this study show that the larval midgut tract is a short and simple tube positioned anteriorly, between the stomach and the hindgut tract. During larval development, the maximum length of the midgut tract increases significantly, but no differences were found on either the maximum diameter or the morphological traits of the organ. The midgut tract is active at least ca. 12 h after hatching, as suggested by the presence of the peritrophic membrane in the lumen, the presence of abundant electro-dense vesicles in the cell apex, and the release of the vesicle content on the organ lumen. The midgut-hindgut junction forms an abrupt transition between the midgut tract and the hindgut tract in which epithelial cells with mixed features of midgut and hindgut do not occur.

Morphological and histological description of the midgut caeca in true crabs (Malacostraca: Decapoda: Brachyura): origin, development and potential role.

BACKGROUND: The decapods are a major group of crustaceans that includes shrimps, prawns, crayfishes, lobsters, and crabs. Several studies focused on the study of the digestive system of the decapods, constituted by the oesophagus, stomach, midgut tract, midgut gland, and hindgut. Nevertheless, in the midgut tract there are associated a set of organs called "midgut caeca", which are among the most controversial and less studied digestive organs of this group. This work used the common spider crab Maja brachydactyla Balss, 1922 as a model to resolve the origin, development, and potential role of the midgut caeca. Such organs were studied in the larvae (zoea I, zoea II, megalopa), first juveniles, and adult phases, being employed traditional and modern techniques: dissection, micro-computed tomography (Micro-CT), and light and electron microscopical analyses (TEM and SEM). RESULTS: The common spider crab has a pair of anterior midgut caeca and a single posterior caecum that originate from the endoderm germ layer: they develop from the midgut tract, and their epithelium is composed by secretory cells while lacking a cuticle lining. The midgut caeca are small buds in the newly hatched larvae, enlarge linearly during the larval development, and then continue growing until became elongated and coiled blind-tubules in adults. The adult midgut caeca are internally folded to increase their inner surface. The electron microscopy observations showed that the midgut caeca are highly active organs with important macroapocrine and microapocrine secretory activity. Our results suggest that the role of the caeca might be related to the digestive enzyme secretion. The secretory activity should increase as the animal grows in size. CONCLUSION: The present study resolves the embryonic origin of the midgut caeca (endoderm derived organs), development (general lengthening starting from small buds), and role (active secretory organs). The secretory activity of the midgut caeca should be incorporated in the current models of the digestive physiology in different decapod taxa.

Description of the larval and adult hindgut tract of the common spider crab Maja brachydactyla Balss, 1922 (Brachyura, Decapoda, Malacostraca).

Arthropods are the most diversified animals on Earth. The morphology of the digestive system has been widely studied in insects; however, crustaceans have received comparatively little attention. This study describes the hindgut tract of the common spider crab Maja brachydactyla Balss, 1922, in larvae and adults using dissection, light and electron microscopical analyses. The hindgut tract maintains a similar general shape in larvae and adults. Major differences among stages are found in the morphology of epithelial cells and microspines, the thickness of the cuticle and connective-like tissue, and the presence of rosette glands (only in adults). Here, we provide the description of the sub-cellular structure of the folds, epithelium (conformed by tendon cells), musculature, and microspines of the hindgut of larvae and adults of M. brachydactyla. The morphological features of the hindgut of M. brachydactyla are compared with those of other arthropods (Insecta, Myriapoda and Arachnida). Our results suggest that the morphology of the hindgut is associated mainly with transport of faeces. In adults, the hindgut may also exert an osmoregulatory function, as described in other arthropods. At difference from holometabolous insets, the hindgut of M. brachydactyla (Decapoda) does not undergo a true metamorphic change during development, but major changes observed between larval and adult stages might respond to the different body size between life stages.

Structure of the stomach cuticle in adult and larvae of the spider crab Maja brachydactyla (Brachyura, Decapoda).

The stomach of decapods is a complex organ with specialized structures that are delimited by a cuticle. The morphology and ontogeny of the stomach are largely described, but few studies have focused on the morphology of its cuticle. This study examined the morphology of the stomach cuticle of cardiac sacs, gastric mill ossicles, cardio-pyloric valve and pyloric filters, and during various stages (zoea I and II, megalopa, first juvenile, and adult) of the common spider crab Maja brachydactyla using dissection, histology and transmission electron microscopy. The results show that cuticle morphology varies among structures (e.g., cardiac sacs, urocardiac ossicle, cardio-pyloric valve, pyloric filters), within a single structure (e.g., different sides of the urocardiac ossicle) and among different life stages. The cuticle during the larval stages is very thin and the different layers (epicuticle, exocuticle, and endocuticle) are infrequently distinguishable by histology. Major changes during larval development regarding cuticle morphology are observed after the molt to megalopa, including the increment in thickness in the gastric mill ossicles and cardio-pyloric valve, and the disappearance of the long thickened setae of the cardio-pyloric valve. The cuticle of all the stomach structures in the adults is thicker than in larval and juvenile stages. The cuticle varies in thickness, differential staining affinity and morphology of the cuticle layers. The structure-function relationship of the cuticle morphology is discussed.

Morphology and ultrastructure of the midgut gland ("hepatopancreas") during ontogeny in the common spider crab Maja brachydactyla Balss, 1922 (Brachyura, Majidae).

We studied the anatomy and cytology of the midgut gland (MGl) of the common spider crab Maja brachydactyla Balss, 1922 at several life stages (zoea, megalopa, first juvenile, and adult) using dissection, histology, electron microscopy, computed tomography, and micro-computed tomography (micro-CT). In newly hatched larvae, 14 blind-end tubules form the MGl. The length of the tubules increases during the larval development. In the late megalopa, the number of tubules also increases. In adults, 35,000 to 60,000 blind-ending tubules comprise the MGl. In all life stages, a square-net network of muscle fibers surround the tubules. We describe five cell types in the MGl in all larval stages, which have a similar location, histology, and ultrastructure in larvae and adults: embryonary (E-) cells, resorptive (R-) cells, fibrillar (F-) cells, blister-like (B-) cells, and midget (M-) cells. Major difference between larval and adult cells is the larger size of the adult cells. Microapocrine secretion occurs from the microvilli of the B-cells. No ultrastructural changes were observed during larval development, which suggests that the function of each cell type might be similar in all life stages. The role of each epithelial cell type in larvae and adults is discussed.

Micro-computed tomography and histology to explore internal morphology in decapod larvae.

Traditionally, the internal morphology of crustacean larvae has been studied using destructive techniques such as dissection and microscopy. The present study combines advances in micro-computed tomography (micro-CT) and histology to study the internal morphology of decapod larvae, using the common spider crab (Maja brachydactyla Balss, 1922) as a model and resolving the individual limitations of these techniques. The synergy of micro-CT and histology allows the organs to be easily identified, revealing simultaneously the gross morphology (shape, size, and location) and histological organization (tissue arrangement and cell identification). Micro-CT shows mainly the exoskeleton, musculature, digestive and nervous systems, and secondarily the circulatory and respiratory systems, while histology distinguishes several cell types and confirms the organ identity. Micro-CT resolves a discrepancy in the literature regarding the nervous system of crab larvae. The major changes occur in the metamorphosis to the megalopa stage, specifically the formation of the gastric mill, the shortening of the abdominal nerve cord, the curving of the abdomen beneath the cephalothorax, and the development of functional pereiopods, pleopods, and lamellate gills. The combination of micro-CT and histology provides better results than either one alone.

Morphology and ultrastructure of the esophagus during the ontogeny of the spider crab Maja brachydactyla (Decapoda, Brachyura, Majidae).

The esophagus of the eucrustaceans is known as a short tube that connects the mouth with the stomach but has generally received little attention by the carcinologists, especially during the larval stages. By this reason, the present study is focused on the morphology and ultrastructure of the esophagus in the brachyuran Maja brachydactyla during the larval development and adult stage. The esophagus shows internally four longitudinal folds. The simple columnar epithelium is covered by a thick cuticle. The epithelial cells of the adults are intensively interdigitated and show abundant apical mitochondria and bundles of filamentous structures. The cuticle surface has microspines and mutually exclusive pores. Three muscle layers surrounded by the connective tissue are reported: circular muscles forming a broad continuous band, longitudinal muscle bundles adjacent to the circular muscles, and dilator muscles crossing the connective tissue vertically toward the epithelium. The connective tissue has rosette glands. The esophagus of the larvae have epithelial cells with big vesicles but poorly developed interdigitations and filamentous structures, the cuticle is formed by a procuticle without differentiated exocuticle and endocuticle, the connective layer is thin and the rosette glands are absent. The observed features can be explained by his role in the swallowing of the food.

The impact of the absence of aliphatic glucosinolates on water transport under salt stress in Arabidopsis thaliana.

Members of the Brassicaceae are known for their contents of nutrients and health-promoting phytochemicals, including glucosinolates. Exposure to salinity increases the levels of several of these compounds, but their role in abiotic stress response is unclear. The effect of aliphatic glucosinolates on plant water balance and growth under salt stress, involving aquaporins, was investigated by means of Arabidopsis thaliana mutants impaired in aliphatic glucosinolate biosynthesis, which is controlled by two transcription factors: Myb28 and Myb29. The double mutant myb28myb29, completely lacking aliphatic glucosinolates, was compared to wild type Col-0 (WT) and the single mutant myb28. A greater reduction in the hydraulic conductivity of myb28myb29 was observed under salt stress, when compared to the WT and myb28; this correlated with the abundance of both PIP1 and PIP2 aquaporin subfamilies. Also, changes in root architecture in response to salinity were genotype dependent. Treatment with NaCl altered glucosinolates biosynthesis in a similar way in WT and the single mutant and differently in the double mutant. The results indicate that short-chain aliphatic glucosinolates may contribute to water saving under salt stress.

Foregut morphology and ontogeny of the spider crab Maja brachydactyla (Brachyura, Majoidea, Majidae).

We describe the morphology of the foregut of the spider crab Maja brachydactyla Balss, 1922, from first larval stage to adult, with detailed stage-specific documentation using light and scanning electron microscopy. A total of 40 ossicles have been identified in the foregut of adults of M. brachydactyla using Alizarin-Red staining. The morphological pattern of the ossicles and gastric mill is very similar to other Majoidea species with only a few variations. The foregut of the zoeae stages appeared as a small and simple cavity, with a cardio-pyloric valve that separates the stomach into cardiac and pyloric regions. The pyloric filter is present from the first zoea, in contrast to the brachyuran species which have an extended larval development. Calcified structures have been identified in the cardio-pyloric valve and pyloric region of the zoeal stages. The most significant changes in foregut morphology take place after the metamorphosis from ZII to megalopa, including the occurrence of the gastric mill. In the megalopa stage, the foregut ossicles are recognizable by their organization and general morphology, but are different from the adult phase in shape and number. Moreover, the gastric teeth show important differences: the cusps of the lateral teeth are sharp (no molariform); the dorsal tooth have a small, dentate cusp (not a well-developed quadrangular cusp); and the accessory teeth are composed of one sharp peak (instead of four sharp peaks). The gastric mill ontogeny from megalopa to adult reveals intermediate morphologies during the earlier juvenile stages. The relationship between gastric mill structures with food preferences and their contribution to the brachyuran phylogeny are briefly discussed.

Foregut morphology and ontogeny of the mud crab Dyspanopeus sayi (Smith, 1869) (Decapoda, Brachyura, Panopeidae).

The morphology of the foregut of the Say's mud crab Dyspanopeus sayi was described in adults and larvae. The ossicle system was illustrated based on a staining method with Alizarin-Red. The gastric teeth and cardio-pyloric valve were dissected and examined using optical and scanning electron microscopy. In the adults, the morphology of ossicles and gastric teeth of D. sayi is very similar to the related species Rhithropanopeus harrisii. The foregut of first zoea (ZI) presented a functional cardio-pyloric valve while the filter press was lacking. The filter press was observed in the pyloric chamber from ZII. The most significant changes in morphology take place after metamorphosis from ZIV to megalopa, including the occurrence of the gastric mill. The organization and morphology of many megalopal foregut ossicles are recognizable in the adult phase, although the morphology of the gastric teeth differs from the morphology of adults. A correlation of gastric mill structures with food preferences and their contribution to the phylogeny are briefly discussed.