Journal of the Marine Biological Association of India

Larval development and rearing of the brackishwater shrimp Leptocarpus potamiscus (Kemp, 1917) (Decapoda, Palaemonidae).

Volume 15 Issue 2

N. N. Pillai

Abstract

Complete larval development of the brackish water shrimp, Leptocarpus poiamtscus has been studied by rearing the larvae hatched out under laboratory conditions. The larvae undergo 16 or 17 moults during a period of 86 to 96 days and pass through 6 zoeal and 9 post-larval stages before metamorphosing into juveniles. The zoeal and post-larval stages are described in detail and illustrated. The early larval stages of L. potatmiscus and L. fluminicola are compared and the salient features of the development of L. potamiscus are discussed. Observations made on the moulting periodicity, feeding habits and rearing of the larvae are also included in the paper.

Date : 31-12-1973