Live observations on the reproductive behaviour in Phoxichilidium femoratum (Rathke, 1799) (Pycnogonida)

Petrova, M.; Bogomolova, E.

Авторы: Petrova Maria, Bogomolova Ekaterina
Журнал: Marine Biology
Том: 172
Год издания: 2025
Издательство: Springer Verlag
Местоположение издательства: Germany
Первая страница: 1
Последняя страница: 17
Номер статьи: 151
DOI: 10.1007/s00227-025-04707-3
Аннотация: Sea spiders (Pycnogonida) are among the few arthropod taxa with external fertilisation, which makes them a valuable “reference point” for the reconstruction of ancestral arthropod reproductive traits. However, their mating behaviour and, particularly, the fertilisation process are still poorly understood. This study provides the first comprehensive description of mating in a sea spider, Phoxichilidium femoratum (Rathke, 1799), combining live observation and detailed photo/video documentation with morphological analyses. The male initiated mating by climbing onto the female’s back and courted her until oviposition. During oviposition, the male’s gonopores contacted the egg mass and injected sperm into it. After oviposition, the male left, hooking the egg mass onto his oviger. Males did not shape the egg mass further or fasten them with cement; only swollen vitelline envelopes held the eggs together. Thus, fertilisation in a mucous egg mass is confirmed for P. femoratum and is likely characteristic of most sea spiders with known spermatozoon morphology. Our observation questions the presumed cementing function of male femoral glands in Pycnogonida. Additionally, we discuss the functionalclassification of ovigers. Although sea spiders share superficial similarities with some crustaceans—such as external fertilisation and brood carrying—their fertilisation mechanisms and embryo-nurturing behaviors differ significantly.
Добавил в систему: Богомолова Екатерина Валериевна

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Live observations on the reproductive behaviour in Phoxichilidium femoratum (Rathke, 1799) (Pycnogonida)статья

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