Articulo
Molt cycle stages of the paddle crab ovalipes trimaculatus (de hann, 1833) based on observations of the external morphology
Fecha
2009Registro en:
0717-3326
D04I1410
WOS:000267828300022
WOS:000267828300022
0718-1957
Institución
Resumen
The knowledge of molt cycle in crustaceans is important from the physiological point of view and because it can be used in aquaculture and fisheries management. Ten specimens of Ovalipes trimaculatus were held in laboratory under controlled temperature, photoperiod and feeding. A photographic monitoring of the molt cycle was done. We distinguished three external corporal zones that showed significant changes (ecdysial suture, dactyl and base tissues of fifth pereopods). This allowed us to distinguish a scale of five stages of molt cycle. Each stage was described mentioning the evolution of morphological changes from postmolt to ecdysis. The average duration of molt cycle was 76.4 +/- 3.5 days. The applied methodology causes minimal stress to crabs, thus allowing to observe directly the external morphological changes that occur in corporal zones of crustaceans.