Function and evolution of the seminal receptacle in Decapodiformes (Mollusca: Cephalopoda): unraveling postcopulatory sexual selection mechanisms in cephalopods

• Grant number: 14/11008-5
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Master
• Start date: December 01, 2014
• End date: September 15, 2016
• Field of knowledge: Biological Sciences - Zoology - Morphology of Recent Groups
• Agreement: Coordination of Improvement of Higher Education Personnel (CAPES)
• Principal Investigator: José Eduardo Amoroso Rodriguez Marian
• Grantee: Luiza de Oliveira Saad
• Host Institution: Instituto de Biociências (IB). Universidade de São Paulo (USP). São Paulo , SP, Brazil
• Associated scholarship(s): 15/15447-6 - Unraveling post-copulatory sexual selection mechanisms in cephalopods: morphology of the squid's seminal receptacle applying confocal microscopy and 3D reconstruction, BE.EP.MS

Abstract

Sexual selection has a crucial role in the evolution of reproductive traits. Males use several strategies to ensure fertilization, but females also play a major role in pre and postcopulatory processes. Cephalopods transfer sperm packed within spermatophores, and in some cases females bear specialized organs for sperm storage (i.e., seminal receptacles). However, the morphology of these organs and their functioning (e.g., sperm uptake, storage and release by the seminal receptacles) remain poorly known. Moreover, the homology of the seminal receptacles within Decapodiformes remains obscure, given that they occur in distinct lineages of this clade. This project aims at investigating the evolution of the seminal receptacles in Decapodiformes as well as their role in sperm uptake, storage and release, aiming also at understanding postcopulatory sexual selection mechanisms in cephalopods. We will investigate comparatively the morphology and histology of the seminal receptacles of representatives of each decapodiform order in which these organs are present. Subsequently, homology hypotheses will be tested using reconstructions of ancestral character states, to investigate the evolution of this structure. Based on a model species (Doryteuthis plei), detailed morphological studies (including transmission electron and confocal microscopy) will be performed to characterize the glandular epithelium and the associated musculature of the seminal receptacle, to identify possible control mechanisms. Additionally, we will analyze the histology of the seminal receptacle in D. plei in three different conditions: before recent mating, after recent mating and after spawning. (AU)

Scientific publications

(4)

(References retrieved automatically from Web of Science and SciELO through information on FAPESP grants and their corresponding numbers as mentioned in the publications by the authors)

APOSTOLICO, LIGIA HASELMANN; AMOROSO RODRIGUEZ MARIAN, JOSE EDUARDO. Cephalopod mating systems as models for the study of sexual selection and alternative reproductive tactics: a review. BULLETIN OF MARINE SCIENCE, v. 96, n. 2, SI, p. 375-398, APR 2020. (14/11008-5, 15/15447-6, 17/16182-1, 13/02653-1, 18/19180-2)

MARIAN, JOSE E. A. R.; APOSTOLICO, LIGIA H.; CHIAO, CHUAN-CHIN; HANLON, ROGER T.; HIROHASHI, NORITAKA; IWATA, YOKO; MATHER, JENNIFER; SATO, NORIYOSI; SHAW, PAUL W.. Male Alternative Reproductive Tactics and Associated Evolution of Anatomical Characteristics in Loliginid Squid. FRONTIERS IN PHYSIOLOGY, v. 10, OCT 15 2019. (13/02653-1, 18/19180-2, 14/11008-5, 15/15447-6, 17/16182-1)

SAAD, LUIZA O.; SCHWAHA, THOMAS; HANDSCHUH, STEPHAN; WANNINGER, ANDREAS; MARIAN, JOSE E. A. R.. A mating plug in a squid? Sneaker spermatophores can block the female sperm-storage organ in Doryteuthis plei. ZOOLOGY, v. 130, p. 47-56, OCT 2018. (15/15447-6, 14/11008-5)

APOSTOLICO, LIGIA HASELMANN; AMOROSO RODRIGUEZ MARIAN, JOSE EDUARDO. Cephalopod mating systems as models for the study of sexual selection and alternative reproductive tactics: a review. BULLETIN OF MARINE SCIENCE, v. 96, n. 2, p. 24-pg., 2020-04-01. (17/16182-1, 18/19180-2, 13/02653-1, 15/15447-6, 14/11008-5)

Academic Publications

(References retrieved automatically from State of São Paulo Research Institutions)

SAAD, Luiza de Oliveira. Functional morphology of the seminal receptacle in Doryteuthis plei (Blainville, 1823) (Cephalopoda: Loliginidae): unraveling postcopulatory sexual selection mechanisms in cephalopods. 2017. Master's Dissertation - Universidade de São Paulo (USP). Instituto de Biociências (IBIOC/SB) São Paulo.