MORPHOLOGY AND STRUCTURE OF THELYCUM IN TRACHYPENAEUS CURVIROSTRIS AND PENAEUS CHINENSIS

The morphology and structure of thelycum and sperm storage in Penaeus chinensis and Trachypenaeus curvirostris were studied using laser scanning confocal microscope .They all have closed thelycum.The thelycum of T .Curvirostris is covered with fore-and-aft two carapace slices , between the slices in center aperture , which is usually stoppered by jelly substance after male .At the center of thelycum is one single cavity and there are two sack-like vesicle at rear end of thelycum in which sperm sacs are stored .The thelycum of P .chinensis has single cavity covered with two semi-round , right-left symmetry carapace slices .There are three tapers shaped prominences stick out from front into the cavity .In maled female Chinese shrimp , the prominences were mosaicked into spermatophore , which could firm the spermatophore .