Microscopic morphology of the antennule and antenna of the marine isopod Cirolana harfordi

A comparative study on the antennae morphology and ultrastructure of three mud crab species of the genus Scylla from Setiu Wetlands, Terengganu, Malaysia

Crustaceans possess a range of sensory organs crucial in sensory perception, communication, and various ecological functions. Understanding morphological and functional differences in antennae among species could validate taxonomic differentiation and ecological adaptations. The antennae morphology and ultrastructure of mud crab species within the Scylla genus are poorly understood, and their role in ecological adaptation and species differentiation remains unexplored. This study aimed to describe and compare the morphology and ultrastructure of antennae in Scylla olivacea, Scylla tranquebarica, and Scylla paramamosain. Antennae were carefully excised from each crab and subjected to morphological, morphometric, and ultrastructural analysis. The study revealed that the antennae of Scylla species exhibit similar overall morphology, with a series of segments that tapered toward the upper end. All species possess non-branched single setae on the upper end of each segment. The number of antennae segments varied between species, with S. paramamosain having significantly more segments than S. olivacea. Additionally, the length and width of antenna segments differed among the species, with S. tranquebarica having a rougher antenna surface compared to S. olivacea and S. paramamosain. Our findings suggest that Scylla's antennae are distinct between species, especially in the number of segments and setae size. Such difference might be related to ecological adaptation. The role of antennae in sensory perception and social behavioral cues in mud crabs warrants further investigation. This study serves as a foundational reference for future research on the taxonomy, ecological adaptation, and sensory behaviors in the Scylla genus. RESEARCH HIGHLIGHTS: Variations and similarities in morphology and ultrastructure of three Scylla species can be found in the antennae. Scylla paramamosain had significantly higher number of segments than Scylla olivacea in morphology feature. The antennae surface of Scylla tranquebarica was rougher than that of S. olivacea and S. paramamosain. Antennae of three Scylla species possess non-branched single setae.

Comparative morphological analysis of telson and uropods in Penaeus canaliculatus (Olivier, 1811), Penaeus semisulcatus (De Haan, 1844), and Metapenaeus stebbingi (Nobili, 1904) using scanning electron microscopy and EDX analysis

The telson and uropods collectively form the tail fan, playing crucial roles in locomotion, buoyancy, defense, and respiration. We aimed to compare telson and uropod structures in three shrimp species-Penaeus canaliculatus, Penaeus semisulcatus, and Metapenaeus stebbingi-to identify the species with the most robust telson for its environment. Our analysis involved morphological measurements and scanning electron microscopy (SEM), supplemented by a novel approach-Energy-Dispersive X-ray (EDX) spectroscopy, a technique not previously utilized in studies on these three species. M. stebbingi exhibited the longest telson length, whereas P. semisulcatus had the longest uropod. P. canaliculatus featured a single pair of fixed spines, while P. semisulcatus had evenly spaced small conical spines along the sides of the median elevation and groove. A distinctive feature of M. stebbingi was the telson, which had three pairs of large spines. Diverse setae on telsons included simple, unipennate, and plumose setae. Notably, specialized branched tubular setae on uropods' endopods may aid in grooming or swimming behavior. EDX spectroscopy revealed that the telson cuticle primarily consists of carbon, nitrogen, and oxygen, with significantly high concentrations alongside comparatively lower calcium and phosphorous concentrations. P. semisulcatus exhibited the highest calcium and phosphorus content among the three species. In conclusion, M. stebbingi's telson is structurally robust, emphasizing the importance of morphology, while P. semisulcatus demonstrated a hard telson through EDX analysis. Our study underscores not solely relying on morphology for telson strength assessment but considering telson composition. These variations among species may be attributed to diverse ecological and physiological adaptations.

Reservoir Physical Properties and Micropore Nanocharacteristics of Cores in the Shihezi Formation, Sudong District, Sulige Gas Field, Ordos Basin

Sulige gas field is a very complex large-scale gas field with low porosity, low permeability, low abundance, and strong heterogeneity. In this study, the nanopore structure of the reservoir in the study area was analyzed. The analysis of reservoir physical properties and core microscopic pore characteristics of Shihezi formation in Sudong District, Sulige gas field, Ordos Basin, was put forward. According to core observation, thin section identification, and grain size analysis, the lithology of gas reservoirs in Shan-1 member and He-8 member in the study area is mainly lithic sandstone, lithic quartz sandstone, and quartz sandstone. According to the analysis of physical data in the study area, the reservoirs in Shan-1 member and He-8 member have typical characteristics of low porosity and low permeability. According to that microscopic observation of sandstone thin section and cast thin section combined with the analysis of scan electron microscope, the results show that both Shan-1 member and He-8 member of Sudong area 2 in Sulige gas field are dominated by class I reservoirs and class II reservoirs. Especially, class I reservoirs are widely distributed, with the cumulative area of this type of reservoirs accounting for 70.12% of the total area in Shan section and 64.12% in He-8 section. Class I reservoirs are scattered in the study area, accounting for 0.27% of the total area in the mountain section and 0.36% in the He-8 section. Class IV reservoirs are distributed dispersedly and have a small distribution area. The cumulative area of reservoirs in mountain section accounts for 5.38% of the total area and that in He-8 section accounts for 5.46%. Therefore, Sudong area 2 in Sulige gas field is a typical low porosity and low permeability reservoir. On the basis of geological background, sedimentary microfacies, diagenesis, and pore structure characteristics of the study area, it is considered that the pore structure of sandstone in the study area is mainly controlled by sedimentary characteristics and diagenesis of sandstone.