Larval development of the spider crab Macropodia longipes (Brachyura: Majidae: Inachinae)

Abstract

The complete larval development (2 zoeal stages and the megalopa) of the majid crab Macropodia longipes is described and illustrated from laboratory-reared material obtained from an ovigerous female captured on muddy bottoms of the continental shelf in the western Mediterranean Sea. The morphology of the larvae is compared with that of the previously described species of the genus Macropodia.