A Histological Study of Ovarian Development in the Giant Red Shrimp Aristaeomorpha foliacea (Crustacea: Decapoda: Aristeidae) from the Southern Tyrrhenian Sea (Western Mediterranean)
Sex not distinguished by naked eye. Sex undetermined
translucid
Undetermined
0
F
Ovary hardy visible in transparence. After dissection of the tegument ovary is small and lobes are flaccid, stringy and poorly developed. No sphermatophores on thelycum.
Whitish or translucid
Immature = virgin*
1
M
Petasma is not much visible, and there is not spermatic masses (emi-spermatophores) on the seminal ampullae, located on side of the V pair of pereiopods. Long rostrum.
F
Ovary status to develop. Cephalic and lateral lobes are small but distinguishable with the naked eye. Abdominal extension are thin and just visible.
Flesh coloured
Virgin developing**
2a
M
Petasma appears visible and nearly or completely joined, but there are no spermatic masses in the seminar ampullae. Long or intermediate rostrum.
F
Ovary status to redevelop. Cephalic and lateral lobes are small but distinguishable by naked eye. Abdominal extension is thin and just visible. Occasionally presence of spermatophores.
Flesh coloured
Recovering**
2b
M
Petasma appears completely joined, but there are no spermatic masses in the seminar ampullae. Short rostrum.
F
Ovary developed and occupies almost entirely the dorsal portion. The cephalic and lateral lobes are much developed and have a turgid consistence.
Light and dark grey
Maturing or almost mature
2c
M
F
Turgid ovary extends to the whole dorsal portion, covering the organs below. Lobes and extensions well developed, in particular the abdominal extension is much evident. Oocytes well visible.
Black
Mature
2d
M
Petasma is perfectly visible and completely joined. Spermatic masses in seminar ampullae. Small rostrum.
F
Resting ovary. Presence of spermatophores.
Uncoloured
Resting adult*
2e
Adult specimens.
*, **: Warning! Be careful. These stages could be confused with each other.
