Abstract
The larval development of Clastotoechus nodosus is described and illustrated from specimens obtained from four females collected in shallow waters from Cubagua island, Venezuela (southeastern Caribbean) and reared in the laboratory. C. nodosus hatches as a prezoea of less than 60 minutes´ duration and then molts through two subsequent zoeal stages of 5-7 and 9-13 days´ duration respectively, at 25oC and 37‰ salinity, before attaining the megalopa. There are major differences between the two zoeal stages and megalopa of C. nodosus and the only other congeneric species with known larval development [i.e. C. vanderhorsti (Schmitt, 1924); sin. Madarateuchus vanderhorsti ]. Interspecific differences are striking in the setal formula of several appendages (e.g. antennulae, antennae, maxillulae, maxillae, and maxillipeds). The postorbital spines exhibited by the second zoeal stage of C. nodosus are a novelty for larvae of any porcellanid species described so far from the Americas.
Highlights
The genus Clastotoechus was erected by Haig
Nodosus, collected by hand in balanid conglomerates from Charagato Bay, Cubagua Island, Venezuela (10°51 ́N, 64°9 ́W) were incubated individually in 150 ml glass containers with filtered and UV-sterilised sea water at 25oC and 37‰ salinity; 60 to 80 larvae hatched in each batch
Survival and molting were recorded daily. Samples of both dead and living zoeae and megalopa were preserved in a 1:1 mixture of glycerin and
Summary
The genus Clastotoechus was erected by Haig (1960) to receive those Petrolisthes species with lateral walls of carapace consisting of several pieces separated from each other by a membrane. Based on (a) the type of coverage of the carapace, chelipeds, walking legs and antennae, (b) the proximity degree of the teeth on the anterior margin of the carpus of chelipeds, (c) the presence and/or distribution of setae on propodus of chelipeds, and (d) the number of medial spines on propodus of walking legs, Harvey (1999) placed one of those species (i.e. C_vanderhorsti) in the junior genus. The genus Clastotoechus has been recognised and but the erection of the genus Madarateuchus has not been fully recognised yet, and has been only sparingly used.
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