Morphology of the zoeal stages of Hexapus sexpes fabricius, 1798 (decapoda, brachyura, hexapodidae) reared in the laboratory.

Abstract: The present information is based on the study of the zoeal stages of Hexapus sexpes. A single ovigerous female of Hexapus sexpes was collected from the North West Persian Gulf (29 degrees 56'14"S, 49 degrees 0288"W) in April 2009. Female was maintained in aquarium containing natural sea water at 25 degrees C until the eggs hatched. The present study describes the zoeal stages of Hexapus sexpes. A complete description and illustration of larval features is provided and a comparison with closely related species (Spiroplax spiralis and Lambdophallus anfractus) showing known larval development is presented. The zoeal stages of H sexpes are very similar to that of L. anfractus. The zoeal of two species, however, could separate by the number of setae on the maxillule and maxilla.