Morphology of the larval stages of Pitho aculeata (Gibbes, 1850) (Crustacea,Brachyura, Majoidea) and its implications on the taxonomic position of the genus |
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| Authors: | William Santana Jessica Colavite Juan Bolaños Jesús E Hernández Miguel Canepa |
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| Institution: | 1. Laboratório de Sistemática Zoologica – LSZ, Pró-reitoria de Pesquisa e Pós gradua??o, Universidade do Sagrado Cora??o – USC, Bauru, Brazilwilliam_santana@yahoo.com.br;3. Pró-Reitoria de Pós-Gradua??o e Pesquisa – PRPGP, Universidade Regional do Cariri – URCA, Crato, Brazil;4. Grupo de Investigación en Carcinología, Escuela de Ciencias Aplicadas del Mar, Universidad de Oriente – UDO, Venezuela |
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| Abstract: | The larval development of Pitho aculeata is described and illustrated in detail. The characters described are used to discuss recent molecular phylogenetic findings suggesting that Pitho is a genus in Mithracidae sensu stricto. Based on species with known larval development, our results indicate that Pitho shares more similarities with mithracids than epialtids and therefore it should be included in the former family. Presently, there appear to be no diagnostic characteristics for the zoeal stages; however, for the megalopa the fused antennal articles 5 and 6 and the distinct number of setae on the abdominal somites 1–5 can be used to differentiate Pitho from other majoideans. |
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| Keywords: | Matz Berggren |
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