LARVAL DEVELOPMENT IN THE SAND CRAB, EMERITA EMERITUS (L., 1767) (ANOMURA, HIPPOIDEA) REARED IN THE LABORATORY

摘要

Larval stages of the intertidal anomuran sand crab, Emerita emeritus (L., 1767) were reared in the laboratory up to the megalopa stage under conditions of 32‰ salinity, 25-27°C and a 12 : 12 hours light : dark cycle. A total of six zoeal stages anda megalopa stage were recorded with the average duration of development being 29 days. Zoeae fed on a diet containing Anemia nauplii showed better survival as compared to those fed on an algal diet. The laboratory reared larvae of E. emeritus are compared with earlier reports of larval stages in the Hippidae, both from plankton collections and laboratory reared specimens. Variations in larval morphology among various species of Emerita from the plankton as against laboratory reared larvae are discussed.