Feeding dynamics and the connection with the molting of larvae and juveniles of the red king crab Paralithodes camtschaticus (Tilesius, 1815) (Decapoda: lithodidae)

The feeding dynamics of the larvae (zoea III, IV) and juveniles (stages 1–3) of the red king crab Paralithodes camtschaticus was studied. The duration of the zoea III and IV stages of the molting cycle was determined; the premolting stage was found to be the longest stage (about 60%). It was determined that apolysis and formation of new morphological structures in the early premolting stage entailed no significant impact on the ability of larvae to food capture and intake. However, in the late premolting period, a gradual decrease in individual daily diet was observed during preparation for molting in zoea IV and juveniles. It was concluded that the feeding dynamics of the red king crab was related to the molting and included both translational (a smooth change of diet between moltings) and stepwise (the cessation of feeding during molting and its recovery) stages.