Larvae of two species of Trizocheles (Decapoda: Anomura: Paguroidea: Pylochelidae: Trizochelinae), description of the adult of one, and preliminary implications of development on pylochelid phylogeny
Author
Mclaughlin, Patsy A.
Author
Lemaitre, Rafael
text
Zootaxa
2008
1911
52
68
journal article
10.5281/zenodo.184552
8eb92ccd-80d7-4381-bee3-7616ef59d4b1
1175-5326
184552
Pomatocheles
Miers, 1879
Pomatocheles jeffreysii
Miers, 1879
Pomatocheles jeffreysii
Miers, 1879
: 49
, pl. 3, fig. 2, 2a–d.
Material examined.
One specimen, cl =
1.3 mm
(examination and description by
Konishi & Imafuku 2000
).
Remarks.
Konishi & Imafuku (2000)
considered the cuticular covering of the “hatchling” of
P. jeffreysii
prezoeal-like, but recognized the advanced development of the stalked eyes, pereopods, and uropods of the larva. The authors did not, however, mention the juvenile-like development of the maxillule and the first maxilliped. Nonetheless, the telson, as illustrated (
Konishi & Imafuku 2000, fig. 2M
) was clearly zoeal, although quite distinct from any described taxon. The apparent absence of an anomuran hair may have been an anomaly of their single specimen; however, the number of telsonal marginal processes (13) approaches that of
Pylocheles
(
P
.)
mortensenii
and the few parapagurid larvae known, as well as the unusual larva of the pagurid
Lithopagurus yucatanicus
Provenzano, 1968
. Although no aesthetascs or setae were evaginated, the biramous condition of the antennule of
P. jeffreysii
also indicated a late stage of zoeal development. No protopodal spine or spines were described or illustrated for the antenna, an absence seen in larvae of porcellanids but not in paguroids. The larva is also notable for the lack of a rostrum and pleonal armature.
Konishi & Imafuku (2000)
were of the opinion that as all of the setae were invaginated, their larva of
Pomatocheles jeffreysii
had hatched prematurely. These authors believed that the advanced developmental stage of the larva indicated that either it would have been released as, or have been followed at the next molt by, a megalopa or more advance juvenile stage. The well developed uropods lend support to their supposition.