REPRODUCTIVE BIOLOGY AND DEVELOPMENT OF A MARINE HARPACTICOID COPEPOD REARED IN THE LABORATORY

Abstract

ABSTRACT Six naupliar and six copepodid stages of Harpacticus sp., reared in the laboratory, are described. Naupliar stages are completed in 3-4 days at 22-24°C. The adult stage is reached 3–4 days later. Sexual differences in size, antennule, and fifth pereiopod are apparent by the fourth copepodid stage. Additional sexual differences occur in the second pereiopod by the fifth copepodid stage and in the third pereiopod of the adult. Occurrence of rudiments of the maxillae, maxillipeds, and pereiopods 3 as superficial structures beneath the exuvia in the last naupliar stage establishes the designation of naupliar exuvial rudiments as the maxillulae and pereiopods 1 and 2. Interpretations of exuvial rudiments of other harpacticoid nauplii vary among authors and may be attributed to emphasis on cuticular features or use of exuviae alone for studying naupliar stages.