MANDIBULAR GLAND OF THE BLUE CRAB,CALLINECTES SAPIDUS

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Abstract
The mandibular glands of C. sapidus is examined in males and females. These pale yellow organs are located at the anterior end of the paired chitinous tendons that extend from the mandibles to the dorsal carapace. Channels of hemolymph subdivide the glands into cords. Each cord is composed of irregularly shaped cells with eccentric nuclei. The karyoplasm contains patches of condensed chromatin closely associated with the nuclear envelope. The most distinguishing feature of mandibular gland cells is 2 distinct types of smooth endoplasmic reticulum. Golgi complexes, mitochondria and lipid-like inclusions also are prominent cytoplasmic organelles. The plasma membrane, when adjacent to hemolymph channels, exhibits varying degrees of convolution. These structural features are characteristic of other steroid-producing cells. Although mandibular glands do not store or secrete ecdysteroids, implants of the glands do accelerate molting in shrimp.