A comparative study of zoeal morphology in the genus Liocarcinus (Crustacea: Brachyura: Portunidae)

The zoeal morphology of Liocarcinus arcuatus, L. corrugatus and L. depurator is described from laboratory reared material and the larvae of L. holsatus, L. puber, L. pusillus and L. marmoreus are reexamined from specimens deposited in the BM (NH). No single meristic character was found that would adequately separate the seven described species of Liocarcinus. Characters that may facilitate separation of later zoeal stages only are listed.