Zoeal Development Of Palapedia integra (Decapoda: Brachyura: Xanthidae) Reared In The Laboratory

Ovigerous crabs of the xanthid Palapedia integra were collected in South Korean waters, and their larvae were reared in the laboratory. Four zoeal stages are described and illustrated. The durations of zoeal stages I-IV were 4, 4, 4, and 6 days, respectively. Morphological characteristics of the first zoeal stage are compared with those of Palapedia valentini in the Kraussiinae and to other brachyuran species. The first zoea of P. integra is significantly different from that of P. valentini in having 3+4 setae on the endopod of the maxilla. Based on zoeal morphology, it is suggested that P. integra may not belong in the genus Palapedia.