Hooded sensilla homologues: structural variations of a widely distributed bimodal chemomechanosensillum.

A diversity of sensilla has been described in crustaceans, both across species and within a given species. However, few homologous setal types have been identified in crustaceans. In this study we examined setae with features of the hooded sensillum, which is a class of bimodal chemomechanosensilla first identified on antennules of the Caribbean spiny lobster Panulirus argus. We examined the antennules of 13 species representing seven families of malacostracan crustaceans, and most body surfaces of P. argus, and compared the sensillar morphology from different species and from different body regions to identify interspecific and intraspecific homologues of hooded sensilla. Our results show that sensilla with morphological characteristics of antennular hooded sensilla are present and have a similar pattern of distribution on the antennules of reptantian species representing three families (Palinuridae and Scyllaridae of the Achelata and Nephropidae of the Homarida). Furthermore, hooded sensillar homologues are present on most body surfaces of P. argus. However, there are intraspecific and interspecific variations in the morphology of these sensilla. We present evidence that supports the idea that postembryonic changes in individual sensilla may be responsible for some of these morphological variations. Despite these variations, we conclude that the sensilla are homologues, because they have several common characteristics, similar positions on the body surface, similar substructures, a continuum to their morphological variations, and morphological variation that is correlated with phylogenetic similarity. Taken together these results support the idea that the hooded sensillum is a singular and biologically important sensillar type that has a broad distribution. Copyright 2002 Wiley-Liss, Inc.