First zoeal stages of Epigrapsus politus Heller, E. notatus (Heller) and Gecarcoidea lalandii H. Milne-Edwards, with remarks on zoeal morphology of the Gecarcinidae Macleay (Crustacea: Brachyura)

Abstract

The crab family Gecarcinidae Macleay, 1838 currently consists of 18 species that are grouped in four genera. Larval data for the Gecarcinidae were only known for species of the genera Cardisoma Latreille, 1825 and Gecarcinus Leach, 1814. In the present paper, the first zoeal stage of Gecarcoidea lalandii H. Milne-Edwards, 1837, Epigrapsus politus Heller, 1862 and E. notatus Heller, 1865 are described and illustrated. Zoeal morphology of the Gecarcinidae is reviewed, taking into account all previous descriptions and analysing the relationships between the different genera of Gecarcinidae based on zoeal morphological characters. A series of typical morphological features is proposed for the zoea larvae of this family differentiating them from the rest of the Grapsoidea.

Keywords:

• Larval Morphology
• Gecarcinidae
• Gecarcoidea
• Epigrapsus
• Zoea