External Morphological Changes Associated with Sexual Maturity in the Crayfish (Orconectes propinquus)

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Abstract
External morphological changes were documented in primary and secondary sexual characteristics and size at sexual maturity of the crayfish O. propinquus (Girard). Immature and mature females could be differentiated: seminal receptacles of mature females had two pronounced tubercles on either side of the anterior groove; receptacles of immature females were flat, without relief. Of the secondary sexual characters, Form I (capable of breeding) males had longer, wider chelae and longer chelipeds than females; Form II (incapable of breeding) males had chelae and chelipeds of intermediate size. Mature females had wider abdomens than either males or immature females. Mean minimum carapace length at maturity for both sexes was 18.5 mm.

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