First zoea of Pagurus japonicus (Crustacea: Decapoda: Anomura: Paguridae) reared in the laboratory

Abstract

The first zoeal stage of Pagurus japonicus is described and illustrated. Its morphological characteristics are compared with those of other known species of the genus Pagurus. The first zoea of P. japonicus was very similar to that of P. similis. The zoeas of the two species could be distinguished from other pagurid zoeas by morphological characteristics of the carapace without posterolateral spine, two setae on the endopod of the antenna, and 3+3 setae on the endopod of the maxilla. They show affinities more to the species of the family Diogenidae than to the species of the genus Pagurus in respect of zoeal morphology.