Decapod Crustacea from the International Indian Ocean Expedition: the larval development of Heterocarpus (Caridea)

Abstract

The larval species Atlantocaris gigas Ortmann is shown to be conspecific with Heterocarpus ensifer A. Milne Edwards, while Procletes biangulatus Bate is the larva of Heterocarpus levicarina (Bate). Each species passes through 13–15 zoeal stages and 3–4 megalopal stages. The later zoeal stages are large, have a long toothed rostrum, a carinated carapace and dorsal abdominal spines. The carinae on the carapace are retained in the adult; the rostrum becomes shortened and the abdominal spines modified at metamorphosis. Larval characters support the retention of Heterocarpus in the Pandalidae.New information on the distribution of both species is included.