Histological changes in the ovary of Palaemon serratus (Crustacea, Decapoda) from the North Adriatic Sea.

Despite its considerable commercial importance, the ovarian maturation of the prawn Palaemon serratus (Crustacea, Decapoda) has been scarcely studied, especially in the marine habitats of Italian waters. For the purpose of the present study female samples were collected in the North Adriatic Sea for a one year. Gonadal tissue sections were prepared using current histological techniques. The ovaries feature a “proliferative centre” from which oocytes maturing in a centrifugal direction branch out. Oocyte (n=554) size in μm was determined at various stages of development using a semiautomatic computerized imaging scanner. Five peaks at around 60, 120, 180, 240, 700 μm of diameter were recorded in germinal cells distribution frequency during maturation of ovary (Spring-Summer). Only two Gaussian peaks around 60 and 120 μm were observed in germinal cells distribution frequency in immature ovary (Autumn-Winter). The present study provide information about the reproductive cycles of this resource.