Fig. 4. Partially melanized L. vannamei male, and dissected components of the distal part of its reproductive system. (A) Ventral view of the intact male. Symmetrical dark brown melanin spots are clearly visible through the cuticle near the genital papillae. (B) The dissected ampoules with intact spermatophores. Here, the muscular ampoules with their intact spermatophores are stretched and turgid. (C) The same ampoules (top) after the spermatophores (bottom) had been dislodged from them by applying a gentle pressure on the edge of the ampoules opposite to the gonopore, mimicking ejaculation. The empty ampoules then lost their turgidity and became flaccid and slack. Note the melanized flake that separated out from the right spermatophore (arrowhead). Scale bars, 5 mm (A,B), 3 mm (C).