The zoeal development of Sesarma eulimene de Man (Decapoda, Brachyura, Grapsidae), and identification of larvae of the genus Sesarma in South African waters

Abstract

The five zoea larval stages of the estuarinecrab Sesarma eulimene de Man 1897 (Brachyura, Grapsidae) are described in detail from specimens reared in the laboratory. The morphology of larval Grapsidae is briefly discussed and an updated summary of larval diagnostic characters in the genus Sesarma is given as an aid to identifying specimens in plankton samples from Soulh African waters.