The Zoeal Stages and Glaucothoe of the Tropical Eastern Pacific Hermit Crab Trizopagurus magnificus (Bouvier, 1898) (Decapoda; Diogenidae), Reared in the Laboratory

Abstract

Larvae were reared under various temperature conditions. Those maintained at 15°C were unable to moult to the second instar although some individuals lived as long as 35 days after hatching. At 20°C some individuals were able to reach fifth instar, but glaucothoes were obtained only at 25°C, 33-52 days after hatching. Effects of starvation and temperature on larval survival are discussed. The number of zoeal stages in the development of this species is variable, as it is in other diogenids which have been studied in the laboratory, glaucothoes of this species being obtained after four or five zoeal instars. Descriptions and illustrations of the zoeal stages and the glaucothoe are presented. No other larvae of this genus have been described and intra-generic comparisons of larval morphology were not possible, but a comparison was made of the zoeal and glaucothoe stages of this species with those of others in the family.