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Ultrastructure, Histochemistry, and Mineralization Patterns in the Ecdysial Suture of the Blue Crab, Callinectes sapidus

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  15 November 2005

Carolina Priester ,
Richard M. Dillaman  and
D. Mark Gay
Carolina Priester
Affiliation:
Department of Biological Sciences, University of North Carolina at Wilmington, Wilmington, NC 28403-5915, USA
Richard M. Dillaman
Affiliation:
Department of Biological Sciences, University of North Carolina at Wilmington, Wilmington, NC 28403-5915, USA
D. Mark Gay
Affiliation:
Department of Biological Sciences, University of North Carolina at Wilmington, Wilmington, NC 28403-5915, USA
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Abstract

The ecdysial suture is the region of the arthropod exoskeleton that splits to allow the animal to emerge during ecdysis. We examined the morphology and composition of the intermolt and premolt suture of the blue crab using light microscopy and scanning electron microscopy. The suture could not be identified by routine histological techniques; however 3 of 22 fluorescein isothiocyanate-labeled lectins tested (Lens culinaris agglutinin, Vicia faba agglutinin, and Pisum sativum agglutinin) differentiated the suture, binding more intensely to the suture exocuticle and less intensely to the suture endocuticle. Back-scattered electron (BSE) and secondary electron observations of fracture surfaces of intermolt cuticle showed less mineralized regions in the wedge-shaped suture as did BSE analysis of premolt and intermolt resin-embedded cuticle. The prism regions of the suture exocuticle were not calcified. X-ray microanalysis of both the endocuticle and exocuticle demonstrated that the suture was less calcified than the surrounding cuticle with significantly lower magnesium and phosphorus concentrations, potentially making its mineral more soluble. The presence or absence of a glycoprotein in the organic matrix, the extent and composition of the mineral deposited, and the thickness of the cuticle all likely contribute to the suture being removed by molting fluid, thereby ensuring successful ecdysis.

Keywords

crustaceanecdysislectinmoltcalcificationbiomineralizationamorphous calcium carbonate
Type
Biological Applications
Information
Microscopy and Microanalysis , Volume 11 , Issue 6 , December 2005 , pp. 479 - 499
Copyright
© 2005 Microscopy Society of America

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References

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