Life Sciences Commons^™

Time To Metamorphosis Of Blue Crab Callinectes Sapidus Megalopae: Effects Of Benthic Macroalgae, Robert D. Brumbaugh, John R. Mcconaugha

OES Faculty Publications

There is growing evidence that postlarvae (megalopae) of the blue crab Callinectes sapidus can slow the progression through the molt cycle while in offshore nursery grounds, and delay metamorphosis until reinvasion of coastal habitat occurs. However, the cues that trigger metamorphosis of megalopae are not well known. This study tested the hypothesis that the time to metamorphosis (TTM) from the postlarval megalops stage to the first crab stage is shortened in the presence of 2 potential macroalgal settlement substrates, Ulva lactuca (Chlorophyta), and Gracilaria spp. (Rhodophyta). Megalopae and test water were collected from 3 locations (offshore, at a coastal inlet, …

A Histological Investigation Of The Larval Mandibular Organ In The Mud Crab Rhithropanopeus Harrisii (Gould) (Crustacea Decapoda Xanthidae), Lore Lynn Hantske

OES Theses and Dissertations

Mandibular organs of the mud crab, Rhithropanopeus harrisii (Gould) were histologically located and followed throughout the larval cycle to determine their role in metamorphosis. Specimens from each day of the four larval stages and the megalopa stage were embedded in paraffin, sectioned at 8 μm, stained and observed under the microscope for the mandibular organs. The organs were located in the mandibular area of second, third and fourth stage larvae. The organs were probably present in the first stage zoeae and in the megalopa stage, although the

techniques of the study were not sensitive enough to observe them. The …