Comparison of Morphologies of Probopyrus bithynis, P. Floridensis, and P. Pandalicola Larvae Reared in Culture (Isopoda, Epicaridea)

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

7-1-1982

Department

Biological Sciences

School

Biological, Environmental, and Earth Sciences

Abstract

Larvae of Probopyrus pandalicola, P. floridensis, and P. bithynis were raised experimentally in the laboratory. Development times of larvae (epicaridium to cryptoniscus) and intermediate host selection were the same for all parasite species. We used SEM and LM to obtain both morphological and morphometric data on first and final stage larvae from each species. While P. bithynis larvae are distinct morphologically, P. floridensis and P. pandalicola larvae are similar to one another, but often differ significantly in several body measurements. Furthermore, cryptonisci of P. floridensis and P. pandalicola differ in regard to host specificity, pigmentation, and swimming speed. The authors conclude that P. pandalicola, P. bithynis, and P. floridensis should retain separate species status. Finally, the morphogenetic interrelationships of our observations are discussed and we suggest that P. bithynis is more advanced phylogenetically than either P. pandalicola or P. floridensis.

Publication Title

Journal of Crustacean Biology

Volume

2

Issue

3

First Page

392

Last Page

409

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