Development of juvenile Australian giant crabs, (Pseudocarcinus gigas Lamarck, 1818) (Decapoda : Oziidae), reared in the laboratory

Abstract

Juvenile giant crabs (Pseudocarcinus gigas), sourced from laboratory-reared larvae, were ongrown through to the 7th crab stage over 2 years to allow identification of specimens collected for ecological studies. Morphological development through these stages is described. Each stage up to Crab 5 can be distinguished by changes in morphology of the appendages, primarily the 3rd maxilliped and antennule. Growth of juveniles under laboratory conditions was also recorded, with mean size of juveniles reaching 24.5 mm carapace length, 737 days after hatch.