FORMACI? DE L?ESPERMAT?FOR A LA CABRA DE MAR MAJA BRACHYDACTYLA (DECAPODA, BRACHYURA)

Spermatophore formation in Maja brachydactyla and the role of the vas deferens have been described by light and electron microscopy. The epithelium from anterior vas deferens secretes the substances that will form the wall of the spermatophore. The median vas deferens contains spermatophores surrounded by seminal fluid. The distal vas deferens secretes and stores seminal secretions. Spermatophore of M. brachydactyla is ellipsoidal and consists of a thin acellular wall which surrounds the sperm mass embedded in a matrix. The process of spermatophore formation, structure and function are similar to previous studies in other Brachyuran species.