The ovary structure and oogenesis in the basal crustaceans and hexapods. Possible phylogenetic significance

• Published in: Arthropod structure & development Vol. 43; no. 4; pp. 349 - 360
• Main Authors: Jaglarz, Mariusz K., Kubrakiewicz, Janusz, Bilinski, Szczepan M.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: England Elsevier Ltd 01.07.2014
• Subjects: Animals; Arthropoda; Branchiopoda; Cephalocarida; Crustacea; Crustacea - anatomy & histology; Crustacea - classification; Crustacea - cytology; Crustacea - physiology; Entognatha; Female; Germline cyst; Hexapoda; Insecta - anatomy & histology; Insecta - classification; Insecta - cytology; Insecta - physiology; Malacostraca; Oogenesis; Ovary; Ovary - anatomy & histology; Ovary - cytology; Pancrustacea; Phylogeny; Remipedia; Vitellogenesis; Xenocarida; Ovary; Entognatha; Vitellogenesis; Pancrustacea; Germline cyst; Xenocarida
• ISSN: 1467-8039; 1873-5495
• DOI: 10.1016/j.asd.2014.05.003

Recent large-scale phylogenetic analyses of exclusively molecular or combined molecular and morphological characters support a close relationship between Crustacea and Hexapoda. The growing consensus on this phylogenetic link is reflected in uniting both taxa under the name Pancrustacea or Tetraconata. Several recent molecular phylogenies have also indicated that the monophyletic hexapods should be nested within paraphyletic crustaceans. However, it is still contentious exactly which crustacean taxon is the sister group to Hexapoda. Among the favored candidates are Branchiopoda, Malacostraca, Remipedia and Xenocarida (Remipedia + Cephalocarida). In this context, we review morphological and ultrastructural features of the ovary architecture and oogenesis in these crustacean groups in search of traits potentially suitable for phylogenetic considerations. We have identified a suite of morphological characters which may prove useful in further comparative studies. •Morphological and ultrastructural ovarian traits in the basal crustacean and hexapod groups are reviewed.•Ovarian characters of potential value in phylogenetic inference are indicated.•Possible ovarian synapomorphies for Xenocarida and the basal Hexapoda are suggested.