Abstract
Abstract The hydrothermal vent crab Gandalfus yunohana is found along the Izu-Ogasawara Arc in the north-western Pacific at depths from 420 to 1400 m. To study the larval developmental characteristics of this vent endemic species, we collected adult crabs from a depth of 445 m in May 2005 from the Kaikata Seamount (26°42.607′N, 141°04.457′E). These individuals were maintained at atmospheric pressure and temperature (15 and 18°C) for several months, until two females spawned and released larvae. Larvae were maintained at atmospheric pressure and at five different temperatures ranging from ∼18 to 30°C and fed Artemia sp. At ∼18°C, no larvae survived until the second zoeal stage. Some larvae reached the second or third zoeal stages when reared at ∼21°C. At 24-30°C, six individuals metamorphosed into the megalopal stage following a fifth or sixth zoeal stage 34-60 d after hatching. Megalopae swam actively, but they eventually died 58-104 d after hatching and showed no signs of moulting into the juvenile crab ...
Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Free) 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
