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Larval biology of the crab Rhithropanopeus harrisii (Gould): a synthesis.

Publication ,  Journal Article
Forward, RB
Published in: The Biological bulletin
June 2009

This synthesis reviews the physiological ecology and behavior of larvae of the benthic crab Rhithropanopeus harrisii, which occurs in low-salinity areas of estuaries. Larvae are released rhythmically around the time of high tide in tidal estuaries and in the 2-h interval after sunset in nontidal estuaries. As in most subtidal crustaceans, the timing of larval release is controlled by the developing embryos, which release peptide pheromones that stimulate larval release behavior by the female to synchronize the time of egg hatching. Larvae pass through four zoeal stages and a postlarval or megalopal stage that are planktonic before metamorphosis. They are retained near the adult population by means of an endogenous tidal rhythm in vertical migration. Larvae have several safeguards against predation: they undergo nocturnal diel vertical migration (DVM) and have a shadow response to avoid encountering predators, and they bear long spines as a deterrent. Photoresponses during DVM and the shadow response are enhanced by exposure to chemical cues from the mucus of predator fishes and ctenophores. The primary visual pigment has a spectral sensitivity maximum at about 500 nm, which is typical for zooplankton and matches the ambient spectrum at twilight. Larvae can detect vertical gradients in temperature, salinity, and hydrostatic pressure, which are used for depth regulation and avoidance of adverse environmental conditions. Characteristics that are related to the larval habitat and are common to other crab larval species are considered.

Duke Scholars

Published In

The Biological bulletin

DOI

EISSN

1939-8697

ISSN

0006-3185

Publication Date

June 2009

Volume

216

Issue

3

Start / End Page

243 / 256

Related Subject Headings

  • Wetlands
  • Toxicity Tests
  • Temperature
  • Salinity
  • Metamorphosis, Biological
  • Male
  • Larva
  • Hydrostatic Pressure
  • Female
  • Brachyura
 

Citation

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ICMJE
MLA
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Forward, R. B. (2009). Larval biology of the crab Rhithropanopeus harrisii (Gould): a synthesis. The Biological Bulletin, 216(3), 243–256. https://doi.org/10.1086/bblv216n3p243
Forward, Richard B. “Larval biology of the crab Rhithropanopeus harrisii (Gould): a synthesis.The Biological Bulletin 216, no. 3 (June 2009): 243–56. https://doi.org/10.1086/bblv216n3p243.
Forward RB. Larval biology of the crab Rhithropanopeus harrisii (Gould): a synthesis. The Biological bulletin. 2009 Jun;216(3):243–56.
Forward, Richard B. “Larval biology of the crab Rhithropanopeus harrisii (Gould): a synthesis.The Biological Bulletin, vol. 216, no. 3, June 2009, pp. 243–56. Epmc, doi:10.1086/bblv216n3p243.
Forward RB. Larval biology of the crab Rhithropanopeus harrisii (Gould): a synthesis. The Biological bulletin. 2009 Jun;216(3):243–256.
Journal cover image

Published In

The Biological bulletin

DOI

EISSN

1939-8697

ISSN

0006-3185

Publication Date

June 2009

Volume

216

Issue

3

Start / End Page

243 / 256

Related Subject Headings

  • Wetlands
  • Toxicity Tests
  • Temperature
  • Salinity
  • Metamorphosis, Biological
  • Male
  • Larva
  • Hydrostatic Pressure
  • Female
  • Brachyura