Sexual Biology and Reproduction in Crustaceans covers crustacean reproduction as it deals with the structural morphology of the gamete-producing primary sex organs, such as the testis and ovary, the formation and maturation of gametes, their fusion during fertilization, and embryonic development that lead to the release of larvae. Constituting a diverse assemblage of animals, crustaceans are best known by their common representatives, such as shrimps, lobsters, and crabs, but also include many more less familiar, but biologically important forms.

This work covers the variety of ways in which both male and female gametes are produced by evolving different sexual systems in crustaceans, the range of reproductive systems, and the accordingly, and highly diverse, mechanistic modes of sex determination. In addition, the book features such topics as genetic and environmental determinants in sex determination pattern, variability of mechanisms of fertilization among different species, the origin of different mating systems, the associated mating and brooding behaviors, and the adaptive ability to different environmental conditions with discussion on the evolutionary ecology of social and sexual systems in certain species, which have shown eusocial tendencies, similar to social insects.

Marine species occupying diversified ecological niches in tropical and temperate zones reproduce under definitive environmental conditions. Therefore, reproductive ecology of different crustaceans inhabiting different ecological niches also constitutes another important aspect of the work, along with yolk utilization and embryogenesis leading to release of different larval forms, which reflect on their aquatic adaptability.  

Table of contents :
Front Matter,Copyright,Dedication,Preface,AcknowledgmentsEntitled to full textChapter 1 - Sex Determination, Pages 1-28
Chapter 2 - Sex Differentiation, Pages 29-55
Chapter 3 - Sexual Systems, Pages 57-103
Chapter 4 - Mating Systems, Pages 105-130
Chapter 5 - Mating Behavior, Pages 131-158
Chapter 6 - Sex Pheromones, Pages 159-173
Chapter 7 - Reproductive Cycle and Environmental Control, Pages 175-185
Chapter 8 - Oogenesis, Pages 187-230
Chapter 9 - Endocrine Regulation of Vitellogenesis, Pages 231-267
Chapter 10 - Yolk Utilization and Embryonic Nutrition, Pages 269-291
Chapter 11 - Spermatogenesis, Pages 293-324
Chapter 12 - Spermatophore and Sperm Transfer Mechanisms, Pages 325-368
Chapter 13 - Accessory Reproductive Glands, Pages 369-389
Chapter 14 - Fertilization, Pages 391-418
Glossary, Pages 419-427