Larval development of the red crab Pleuroncodes monodon (Decapoda Anomura: Galatheidae) under laboratory conditions

Larvae of Pleuroncodes monodon (Milne-Edwards, 1837), a red crab of commercial importance in South America, were reared in the laboratory at 2 different temperatures (15° and 20°C), from hatching up to the last larval stage. The 5 typical stages, with their corresponding functional appendages, are described and figured. The main characteristics useful in differentiating larvae of P. monodon from those of the other Chilean species of Galatheidae and its northern congener P. planipes are discussed. Data on duration of each larval stage, length of moulting intervals and mortality at the 2 test temperatures are also given.This study was financially supported by the Chilean Ministry of Agriculture and by the National Commission for Scientific and Technological Research (CONICYT).     

Larval development of Ocypode quadrata (Brachyura: Crustacea) under laboratory conditions

The larvae of Ocypode quadrata (Fabricius) have been reared in the laboratory, from hatching to megalopa stage, at 35 S, 25°C. The five zoeal stages and the megalopa are described, including functional appendages of each stage. On the basis of morphological characteristics, the first zoeal and megalopa stages of O. quadrata can be distinguished from similar stages of closely related Ocypodinae. At 25°C, the megalopa appeared in a minimum of 34 days following hatching.     

Carotenoids in the hermit crab Clibanarius misanthropus (Crustacea,Paguridae) from the Black Sea

The authors investigated the carotenoids in the hermit crab, Clibanarius misanthropus (Risso), from the Black Sea. By means of columnar and thin-layer chromatography the following carotenoids were found to be present in that species; -carotene, canthaxanthin, lutein, astaxanthin and some kind of polioxyxanthophill.     

Larval settlement and metamorphosis in the sand crab Emerita talpoida (Crustacea: Decapoda: Anomura)

The effects of various potential cues on the survival and time to metamorphosis of larvae of the sand crab Emerita talpoida (Say) were examined. Zoeal duration, which ranged from 25 to 43 d, was not correlated with subsequent megalopal survival but had a weak, negative correlation with the duration of the megalopal stage. Neither food, sand nor water from containers with adults directly affected megalopal survival or duration. In a second experiment, the presence of sand both increased the probability of survival and shortened the duration of late zoeal stages. This is the first experimental evidence for delayed zoeal metamorphosis in a decapod. Settlement of E. talpoida appears to occur primarily during the zoeal phase, not at the megalopal stage.     

Larval development of the spider crab Pisoides edwardsi (Decapoda,Brachyura) under laboratory conditions

Larvae of Pisoides edwardsi (Bell, 1835) have been reared in the laboratory at 2 different temperatures (13.8° and 18.5°C), from hatching to megalops stage. The two zoeal stages and the megalops, as well as the setation of the functional appendages are described and illustrated. The main characteristics useful to differentiate the larvae of P. edwardsi from those of Libidoclaea granaria, the other Chilean species belonging to the same sub-family, are discussed. Data on duration of zoeal development, length of moulting intervals, and mortality at the 2 test temperatures, are also given.This study was financially supported, in part, by the Chilean Ministry of Agriculture.     

Larval development of Pilumnoides perlatus (Brachyura: Xanthidae) under laboratory conditions

Larvae of the xanthid crab Pilumnoides perlatus (Poeppig, 1836) have been reared in the laboratory at 3 different temperatures (10.2°, 15° and 20°C) from hatching to megalopa stage. The 5 zoea stages and the megalopa, as well as the setation of the functional appendages are described and illustrated. The main characteristics useful to differentiate the larval stages of P. perlatus from those of Homalaspis plana, the other Chilean species of the same family so far reared, are discussed. Data on duration of zoea development, length of moulting intervals, and mortality at the 3 test temperatures are also given.This study was partially supported by the Chilean National Commission for Scientific and Technological Research (CONICYT).     

Larval development of Euphausia nana (Crustacea: Euphausiacea)

The larvae of Euphausia nana Brinton in Sagami Bay and Suruga Bay, Central Japan, are described and illustrated. The furcilia stage is separated into six stages on the basis of the form of the pleopods and the number of terminal telson spines. Furcilia I, no pleopod or non-setose pleopods and seven terminal telson spines. Furcilia II, nonsetose and setose pleopods and seven terminal telson spines. Furcilia III, five pairs of setose pleopods and seven terminal telson spines. Furcilia IV, five pairs of setose pleopods and five terminal telson spines. Furcilia V, five pairs of setose pleopods and three terminal telson spines. Furcilia VI, five pairs of setose pleopods and one terminal telson spine. Segmentation of the antennal endopod and mandible palp occurred at the furcilia V stage. The dominant forms of early furcilia larvae of E. nana differed during different seasons of the year. The total lengths of calyptopis III and furcilia I to VI larvae also showed seasonal changes; they were largest in May and smallest from September to December.     

Studies on enzymes associated with calcification of the cuticle of the hermit crab Clibanarius olivaceous

In the anomuran Clibanarius olivaceous Henderson, the cuticle of the cephalic and thoracic regions is calcified, while that of the abdominal region is uncalcified. Histochemical observations have been made on the possible enzymes involved in the process of calcification of cuticle. The calcified regions show the presence of enzymes such as phosphorylase, alkaline phosphatase and carbonic anhydrase. The possible role of phosphorylase in calcification may be production of phosphoric esters, which form the required substrate for alkaline phosphatase. The latter appear to be associated with the production of phosphate ions from phosphoric esters. The carbonic anhydrase may be associated with the production of carbonate ions. The suggestion that these enzymes are involved in the process of calcification is further supported by experimental evidence of inhibition of the action of enzymes by enzyme inhibitors. The inhibition of enzymes leads to reduction in the amount of calcium added to the cuticle.This paper formed part of a thesis approved for the award of Ph. D. degree of the University of Madras.     

Nature and composition of the cephalic and thoracic cuticles of the hermit crab Clibanarius olivaceous

The structure and composition of the cephalic and thoracic cuticles of Clibanarius olivaceous Henderson are described. The cephalic cuticle is completely hardened due to tanning of the epicuticle and the outer part of the procuticle (pigmented Layer). The thoracic cuticle is partially hardened. The differences in extent of tanning reflect the chemical composition of the respective regions. The epicuticle of the cephalic region contains a protein rich in tyrosine, which combines with a sterol to form a lipoprotein complex. This in turn forms the precursor to sclerotin. Phenolic substances appear to be oxidized to quinones by the action of phenolase. The outer part of the procuticle of the cephalic region also contains phenolic substances, but this layer remains only partially tanned. This partial hardening is due to the presence of an inhibitory substance having the nature of ascorbic acid. In the epicuticle of the thoracic region, however, an arrest in tanning appears to be due not to the presence of an inhibitory substance, but to the absence of phenolase necessary for the oxidation of tanning material. In C. olivaceous, the tanning process is much abbreviated. The primary cause of hardening is calcification. The sulphydryl groups and acid mucopolysaccharide detected in the cephalic and thoracic cuticles of C. olivaceous are involved in calcification. It is suggested that hardening of the cephalic and thoracic cuticles in C. olivaceous constitutes a protection during those periods when these parts are exposed to the environment.     

Growth and reproduction ofCaprella danilevskii (Crustacea: Amphipoda) reared in the laboratory

Caprella danilevskii Czerniavski, an epifaunal amphipod crustacean, was successfully reared for two generations under laboratory conditions. Amphipods were maintained in pairs or fours in a Petri dish. Temperature and photoperiod were maintained at 20°C, and 14 h light: 10 h dark, respectively. Colonies of the diatomCylindrotheca closterium (Ehrenberg) Reumann and Lewin were provided as food source. The red algaGelidium amansii (Lamouroux) Lamouroux was used to provide an attachment substrate for the caprellids. Juveniles that emerged from the brood pouch were described as instar I. Subsequent instars were identified by molts. Juveniles molted successively at 2.5 to 6.5 d intervals. The body length of males at each instar increased exponentially, while that of females followed a sigmoid curve. A different pattern of flagellar segment addition in the antenna I of males and females was revealed. At the age of 20.8 d, females reached instar VII, and produced their first embryos. After 5.1 d, juveniles emerged from the brood pouch. On average, females produced 5.4 clutches successively at 5.0 d intervals. The number of offspring per spawning increased from 6.3 at instar VII to 22.0 at instar XII. The total number of offspring was 69.0 for a female throughout her life span.     

Temperature tolerance of the estuarine prawn Upogebia africana (Anomura,Crustacea)

Continuous temperature measurements were made in a typical South East African estuary. Mean summer (November to March) temperatures were in the range 19° to 24°C, and in winter (June to August) from 13° to 16°C. Large daily temperature fluctuations of 6° to 10°C occurred in summer; these appear to result from tidal movement of cool sea water into the estuary. In winter, temperature fluctuations were much smaller (3° to 5°C). The burrowing prawn Upogebia africana (Obtmann) was found to have an upper lethal temperature of 29°C in both winter and summer. The resistance time of prawns to temperatures above 30°C was much greater in summer than in winter. It was possible to acclimate winter prawns and increase their resistance time to a level comparable to that of summer individuals. A latent period of 40 h occurred before acclimation effects were detectable. Long-term exposure of prawns to high temperatures did not increase their resistance above that of summer prawns. Water at a temperature above this upper lethal temperature is not pumped through the burrows. This avoidance behaviour considerably increases the ability of U. africana to withstand short-lived temperature extremes.     

Determination of types of interactions exhibited by binary mixtures of heavy metals tested against the hermit crab,Clibanarius africanus

Single and joint action toxicity of heavy metal compounds (ZnCO₃, CuSO₄ and CdSO₄) were carried out against the hermit crab, Clibanarius africanus in laboratory bioassays. On the basis of 96?h LC₅₀ values, CuSO₄ (96?h LC₅₀?=?0.03?mM) was found to be the most toxic followed by CdSO₄ and ZnCO₃ (96?h LC₅₀?=?0.24?mM) in decreasing order of toxicity. The evaluation of the metal compounds in mixtures of ZnCO₃–CuSO₄, ZnCO₃–CdSO₄ and CdSO₄–CuSO₄ in pre-defined molar ratios revealed that interactions between Zn–Cu and Zn–Cd test mixtures were in conformity with the models of antagonism (reduction in toxicity of constituent metals). The synergistic ratios (S.R.s) and relationship between observed/predicted 96?h LC₅₀ values (relative toxic unit, RTU) were consistently below 1, indicating antagonistic interactions. Analysis using isobolograms also indicated the interactions between the mixture components to be antagonistic. However, with regards to CdSO₄–CuSO₄ test mixtures, the interactions between these metals were mainly in conformity with the model of synergism. The S.R. and RTU values were largely above 1, indicating synergistic interactions. The importance of the joint action evaluations for the management and protection of aquatic ecosystems, particularly in the setting up of water quality criteria was discussed.     

Orientation of Coenobita rugosus (Crustacea: Anomura): A field study on Aldabra

Experiments were designed to determine whether anemotaxis shown by the terrestrial hermit crab Coenobita rugosus H. Milne Edwards is (i) an orientational strategy leading the crabs to sea or (ii) a strategy improving rectilinear flight. In an arena with uniform landscape, hermit crabs from different beaches of the Aldabra atoll orientated during daylight in the direction of the sea of their own beach; this orientation was only slightly affected by wind direction. Under artificial wind conditions, at night, all hermit crabs displayed positive anemotaxis, independent of the orientation of the home beach, thus leaving little support for the first hypothesis. During the day, with the sea and beach both visible, all the hermit crabs on the beach moved landwards irrespective of wind and home beach direction.     

“Glandular pockets” of the integument and feeding mechanism inPagurus bernhardus (Crustacea: Anomura)

The benthic anomuran crabPagurus bernhardus (L) were collected from the North Sea near Helgoland, West Germany, during the years 1986–1987. The histological study of the integument ofPagurus bernhardus reveals a double structure with dorsal and ventral cuticular layers and with two epithelial cell layers. Additional structures have been developed within the integument to trap micro food organisms. The structure and function of the cupshaped glandular pockets of the integument is described. The cells which secrete mucus are also described. Histological and histochemical methods have been employed to study the chemical nature of various cells of the integument and the secretions of the glandular pockets. The ecological significance of the sensory hairs, glandular pockets, cuticular layers and the supra-branchial groove is discussed with reference to the crab's feeding mechanism.     

Effect of temperature on the molting,growth and maturation of the antarctic krill Euphausia superba (Crustacea: Euphausiacea) under laboratory conditions

The effect of temperature on molting, growth, and maturation rates was studied on laboratory-maintained Euphausia superba. The length of intermolt periods (IMP's) was inversely proportional to temperature (20.10 d, SD=1.60, at 0.12°C; 16.87 d, SD=1.68, at 0.97°C; and 12.48 d, SD=0.90, at 4.48°C), and directly proportional to krill size at 0.12°C and 0.97°C. For individually maintained krill the maximum growth rate at 4.48°C (0.068 mm d^-1) was nearly twice that at 0.68°C (0.037 mm d^-1). There was no observable temperature effect on maturation rates. The maturation changes of juveniles at all temperatures indicated that more than two years are probably required to reach maturity. Mature males and females regressed to immature forms, suggesting that E. superba may reproduce in successive years. These results and previously reported field and laboratory data for E. superba and other euphausiid species suggest a 4+ year life span for this species.This work was supported by NSF grant DPP 76-23437     

Patterns of growth and triacylglycerol content in snow crab Chionoecetes opilio (Brachyura: Majidae) zoeal stages reared in the laboratory

Snow carb Chionoecetes opilio zoea I and zoea II larvae, hatched from females in a controlled mating experiment, were reared in the laboratory at 10.1 °C and 28.0 salinity, to resolve the patterns of growth (dry weight [DW]) and change in energy reserves (triacylglycerols [TAG]) within a given moult cycle. The patterns of growth and change in TAG reserves were similar in each zoeal stage. Following hatching or a moult, the zoeae entered a phase of rapid size increase, i.e. high daily growth rates (5.5 to 12.8% DWd^-1), for 1/3 to 2/5 of the duration of the moult cycle. During the same period, the zoeae accumulated TAG reserves until a maximum (TAG DW^-1) was reached at the end of the phase of rapid growth. The period of high growth rates and of TAG accumulation is interpreted as the required time for the zoeae to reach a point in development [i.e. point of reserves saturation (PRS); Anger and Dawirs (1981)] where sufficient growth and energy reserves allow moulting to the next stage. Following the phase of rapid growth and TAG accumulation, the zoeae entered a phase of low daily growth rates (0 to 1% DWd^-1) during which the TAG reserves decreased to a minimum at the end of the phase. Prior to, and during the moult to zoea II, a phase of negative growth was observed in the zoea I larvae. We conclude that measurement of zoeal size and TAG content, along with morphometric criteria (e.g. epidermal retraction), can be used to assess growth and nutritional condition of C. opilio zoeal stages from the sea.     

Larval development in the Tasmanian mysids Anisomysis mixta australis, Tenagomysis tasmaniae and Paramesopodopsis rufa (Crustacea: Mysidacea)

We describe the brood duration and marsupial development of three temperate coastal mysid species, Anisomysis mixta australis (Zimmer), Tenagomysis tasmaniae Fenton and Paramesopodopsis rufa Fenton, found commonly in Tasmanian waters. Larvae cultured in vitro had brood durations at 13 °C (17 °C) of 22 (15), 23 (15), and 28 (20) d, respectively. Development through seven larval stages, and brood durations for these three species are similar to those reported for coastal mysids from other temperate areas throughout the world. Received: 10 June 1997 / Accepted: 1 July 1997