A description of larval and early juvenile development in Paralomis spinosissima (Decapoda: Anomura: Paguroidea: Lithodidae) from South Georgia waters (Southern Ocean)

• Published in: Polar biology Vol. 29; no. 12; pp. 1028 - 1038
• Main Authors: WATTS, Jamie, THATJE, Sven, CLARKE, Sarah, BELCHIER, Mark
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Heidelberg Springer 01.11.2006; Berlin Springer Nature B.V
• Subjects: Animal and plant ecology; Animal, plant and microbial ecology; Artemia; Biological and medical sciences; Crustacea; Crustaceans; Food availability; Food supply; Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology; Invertebrates; Larvae; Larval development; Marine; Marine biology; Morphology; Paralomis spinosissima; Particular ecosystems; Shellfish; Synecology; Southern Ocean; PSW, South Atlantic, South Georgia; PS, Antarctic Ocean; Crustacea; Anomura; Larva; Arthropoda; Developmental stage; Polar region; Decapoda; Invertebrata; Climatic zone; South Georgia; Young animal; Seawater
• ISSN: 0722-4060; 1432-2056
• DOI: 10.1007/s00300-006-0146-1

The early ontogenetic stages of Paralomis spinosissima Birstein and Vinogradow, 1972, are described in detail and illustrated, with notes on morphological variability observed. Larval and early juvenile development was described to the crab I instar reared under controlled conditions of temperature and food supply. The abbreviated larval development invariably passed through two zoeal stages and the benthic megalopa stage. The larval development was completed without food supply, and food Artemia nauplii were first given after moult to the crab-I stage. Simplification and retarded development of the mouthparts are discussed as a function of lecithotrophy of these larvae and based on morphology no facultative feeding mode is suggested. Lecithotrophy in the Southern Ocean Lithodidae is discussed to be an adaptation allowing independence from seasonal food availability at high latitudes.[PUBLICATION ABSTRACT]