DEVELOPMENTAL PATTERNS OF LARVAL SCAPHOGNATHITES: AN AID TO THE CLASSIFICATION OF ANOMURAN AND BRACHYURAN CRUSTACEA

ABSTRACT Analysis of 340 published descriptions of larval development in the Anomura and Brachyura reveals that the maxillary scaphognathite of the first zoeal stage can be classified into one of eight types. In addition, there are five sequences by which the diverse zoeal scaphognathites develop into the typical postlarval form. These features appear to be valuable taxonomic characters and provide relevant larval evidence concerning the lower limits of the Brachyura and affinities within the Anomura.