EXTERNAL DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBRYONIC DEVELOPMENT OF THE PRAWN, MACROBRACHIUM AMERICANUM BATE, 1868 (DECAPODA, PALAEMONIDAE) BASED ON THE STAGING METHOD

摘要

The embryonic changes during the development of the freshwater prawn, Macrobrachium americanum are described from observations made on live embryos based on the percentage-staging method. Eggs were observed with a stereomicroscope to obtain descriptions of embryonic periods. This prawn has an incubation time of 18 days at 24 degrees C. Ten periods are described and illustrated. A comparison of this developmental process with those of congeneric species is included.