Larval Development Under Laboratory Conditions of the Xanthid Mud Crab Eurytium limosum (Say, 1818) (Brachyura: Xanthidae) from Georgia

Abstract

Larvae of the xanthid mud crab Eurytlum Umosum were reared in the laboratory from hatching to first crab stage. Four zoeal stages and one megalops stage were obtained and are described. Complete larval development required about 15 days under culture conditions of 26.0 to 28.0 C and 25 ppt sea water. A long antenna and short antennal exopods consign E. Umosum to the Group I xanthid zoeae of Rice (1980). The first stage zoea closely resembles that of Panopeus herbstii and is distinguished by having the dorsal spine strongly recurved at the extremity. Stages 2 to 4 are dis-tinguished from Rhithropanopeus harrisii and Neopanope sayi larvae by having two lateral spines on the telson.