Abbreviated larval development of Tunicotheres moseri (Rathbun, 1918) (Decapoda, Pinnotheridae), a rare case of parental care in brachyuran crabs

Authors

  • Juan Bolaños Laboratory of Carcinology, Universidad de Oriente
  • José A. Cuesta Instituto de Ciencias Marinas de Andalucía (CSIC)
  • Gonzalo Hernández Laboratory of Carcinology, Universidad de Oriente
  • Jesús Hernández Laboratory of Carcinology, Universidad de Oriente
  • Darryl L. Felder Department of Biology, Laboratory for Crustacean Research, University of Louisiana at Lafayette

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.3989/scimar.2004.68n3373

Keywords:

Tunicotheres moseri, Pinnotheridae, larval morphology, parental care, zoea, megalopa, population, systematics

Abstract


Tunicotheres moseri (Rathbun, 1918) presents a rare case of post-hatching parental care not recorded previously among brachyuran decapods. The complete larval development takes place within a brooding enclosure of the parental female, formed by flexure of the broad abdomen against the sternum. The first crab instar is the earliest stage observed to leave this enclosure, doing so without active help from the parental female. The development of stages preceding the first crab was investigated by in vitro culture of eggs obtained from ovigerous crabs inhabiting the atrial cavity of the tunicate Phallusianigra Savigny, 1816, in Venezuela. Eggs were hatched in the laboratory and reared through two zoeal stages and the megalopa. Additional samples of the larval stages were obtained directly from abdominal enclosures of aquarium-held females. All larval stages were described and illustrated in detail. Morphological comparisons were made between larvae from two different populations. Comparisons were also made with other previously described larvae of Pinnotherinae, which led us to conclude that Tunicotheres should not be assigned to the Pinnotherinae sensu stricto. Relationships between the three known disjunct populations assigned to T.moseri remain questionable, especially since the potential for larval dispersal appears to be very limited.

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Published

2004-09-30

How to Cite

1.
Bolaños J, Cuesta JA, Hernández G, Hernández J, Felder DL. Abbreviated larval development of Tunicotheres moseri (Rathbun, 1918) (Decapoda, Pinnotheridae), a rare case of parental care in brachyuran crabs. Sci. mar. [Internet]. 2004Sep.30 [cited 2024Mar.29];68(3):373-84. Available from: https://scientiamarina.revistas.csic.es/index.php/scientiamarina/article/view/389

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