The mouthparts and digestive tract in the larval stages of Homarus americanus

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Abstract
The early planktonic larval stages have spinous-type gastric armature, simple cardiac channels, mysid-like mouthparts, functional exopodites on the thoracic appendages, and specialized midgut, suggesting that these stages are adapted for feeding on suspended food material, which is relatively soft and has a high fat content. The presettling and settling larval stages are characterized by the metamorphosis of these structures from the planktonic form to the adult form, which coincides with a change in diet from the planktonic larval stages to that of the benthic adult; the adult diet consists of relatively hard food with a possible low fat content. A similar relationship between the structure and metamorphosis of the mouthparts and the digestive sytem to a change in diet and environment in other decapod larvae is discussed.

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