CHARACTERISTICS OF PALINURIDS (DECAPODA CRUSTACEA) IN LARVAL CULTURE

Complete development of phyllosomas was accomplished in Palinurus elep has, Panulirus japonicus, Jasus edwardsii and J. verreauxi. Larval dev elopment differs between species in duration and moult frequency as we ll as morphology. The highest percent survival was obtained during the phyllosoma stage for J. verreauxi. Phyllosomas of Il elephas were the most difficult to culture regardless of the fact that they hatch at a relatively advanced stage. Culture experiments were carried out to im prove the percent survival of P. elephas. First instars of I? elephas exhibited vigorous predation upon the larvae of Japanese sandfish Arct oscopus japonicus. Duration of the first instar was shorter at 12.8 da ys when reared at 18 degrees C and percent survival was approximately 30%. Better results were obtained for first instars cultured in water inoculated with Chaetoceros sp. and fed enriched Artemia nauplii. Phyl losomas of J. edwardsii and P. japonicus were cultured without particu lar difficulty. Most distinguishing features of It elephas is the heav ily setose six or seven long spines on the distal edges of the scaphog nathite of the second maxillae while only four long spines are found i n other species. These facts suggest that phyllosomas of Il elephas ar e initially plankton feeders and from first instar become rapacious pr edators.