THE LARVAL DEVELOPMENT OF CALLINECTES SAPIDUS RATHBUN REARED IN THE LABORATORY

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Abstract
The larvae of C. sapidus were reared in the laboratory on Artemia nauplii and Arbacia eggs, from hatching to the post-larval stages, under conditions which combined 20[degree]C, 25[degree]C, 30[degree]C and 6 salinities (10.5, 15.6, 20.1, 26.7, 31.1, and 32 ppt). Of the 3014 zoeae maintained in 15 different combinations of salinity and temperature, 1-8% completed development at 25[degree]C in salinities of 20.1, 267, and 31.1 ppt. The 7 zoeal stages and 1 megalops stage are described and figured. Setation of the maxillipeds and the maxillule showed a progressive increase with each larval stage. Development to the megalops required a minimum of 31 days and a maximum of 49 days. The megalops persisted from 6 to 20 days. There was no significant difference in time of zoeal development in water with salinities of 20.1-31.1 ppt. At 31.1 ppt a greater length of time was required for the megalops to complete metamorphosis to the 1st crab than when reared in lower salinities (20.1 and 26.7 ppt). Even though some zoeae completed development in salinities of 20.1-31.1 ppt, mortality was usually highest during the 1st 2 zoeal stages. Below 20.1 ppt larvae rarely completed the 1st molt.

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