Larval Development of the Barnacle Chinochthamalus Scutelliformis (Cirripedia: Chthamalidae) Reared in the Laboratory

Abstract

Abstract Larvae of Chinochthamalus scutelliformis (Darwin, 1854) (Cirripedia: Chthamalidae) from Hong Kong were cultured in the laboratory. Larval development includes six naupliar stages and a nonfeeding cypris stage following the ground patterns of Cirripedes. Larvae reached the cypris stage in 20 days at ∼21°C compared to 13 days at ∼28°C. Morphological features including the cephalic shield, frontal horns, labrum, hind body, antennules, antennae, and mandibles in all nauplius and cypris stages were described and illustrated using a combination of light microscopy and scanning electron microscopy. Attempts were made to compare morphological differences between the nauplii and cyprid of C. scutelliformis with those of Chthamalus malayensis and Chamaesipho species. Observations of the nauplii of Chinochthamalus scutelliformis supported Foster's suggestion to move this species from the genus Chamaesipho to the genus Chinochthamalus.