Reproductive Anatomy of a Three Spotted Swimming Crab (Portunussanguinolentus - Herbst)

Dr. J. Violet Beaulah

Abstract: Portunussanguinolentus Herbst male and female crabs were collected from Kasimedu fishing harbors landing center to study the morphology of male and female reproductive system. Male reproductive system consisting of an ?H? shaped structure with a pair of testes, pair of vas deferentia and ejaculatory ducts. The testes connected to the vas deferens by means of a small duct known as vas efferens. The vas deferens is divided into three different structural regions according to their different synthetic activities (Anterior, median and posterior vas deferens).The morphology of female reproductive system composed of a pair of ovaries, a pair of seminal receptacles (or) spermatheca, and a pair of oviducts open to the exterior through the female genital opening. The oviducts pass ventrally from the seminal receptacle. The ovary is surrounded by a fibrous connective tissue, which separates the ovary from the surrounding hemocoel other morphological structures were also discussed.

Keywords: Ovary, Testes, Crab