Phases;Males;Females
Development;"Spermatogonia, spermatocytes, and free spermatozoa are attached to the acini wall or germinal epithelium. Connective and digestive tissues are reduced (Fig. 5).";"Abundant previtellogenic or/and vitellogenic oocytes are observed in the acinus. Narrow empty spaces can be seen in the acinus, between oocytes. Oocytes diameter = 26.40 ± 2.46 µm (all stages) (Fig. 9)."
Mature;"The gonadic tissue has reached its maximum development; acini are large and distended. The acini are large, completely filled and their lumens are barely appreciated. Spermatids and spermatozoa cells are located towards the lumen of the acinus (Fig. 6).";"Acini completely filled of yolked oocytes, and these have granular cytoplasm. Yolked oocytes are rounded or polygonal. The acinus walls are very thin and there are no empty spaces in the acinus. Few immature oocytes are attached to the acini wall. Oocytes diameter = 32.79 ± 3.41 µm (all stages) (Fig. 10)."
Spawning;"Acini are almost empty. Spermatozoa in different development stage are dispersed within acinus. Abundant brown cells are observed (Fig. 7).";"Few previtellogenic oocytes are attached to the acini’s wall, suggesting that gonad would mature soon. The acini’s lumens are partially or totally empty. Oocytes diameter (all stages) = 27.62 ± 4.26 µm (Fig. 11)."
Post-spawning;"Residual spermatozoa are in the acinus. Abundant brown cells are observed. The acinus walls are thicker (Fig. 8).";"Residual yolked oocytes are reabsorbed and/or being phagocytized within the acini. Abundant brown cells are observed. The acinus walls are thicker. Oocytes diameter (all stages) = 28.85 ± 1.41 µm (Fig. 12)."
Resting;"The sex of L. grandis cannot be defined since differentiated sex cells are not observed. The acini are empty. The connective tissue that forms the acini’s walls is abundant and noticeable. The acini are contracted and lumens are narrow. The differences in the dispositions and thicknesses of the connective tissue and in the number of brown cells allow to define three sub-phases of resting: Sub-phase 1: The acini are small and irregular in shape; a lot of brown cells are attached to the connective tissue (Fig. 13). Sub-phase 2: The acini are elongated, bigger and there is smaller number of brown cells (Fig. 14). Sub-phase 3: The acini return to their roughly rounded or elliptical regular form and brown cells are scarce (Fig. 15)."