Advanced Larval Development of Pandalopsis Japonica Balss, 1914 (Decapoda, Garidea, Pandalidae) Reared in the Laboratory

The complete larval development of Pandalopis japonica Balss, 1914, is described and illustrated in detail based on laboratory reared material. There are three larval stages, each showing advanced features. The first and third stages are referable to zoea and megalopa as strictly defined by Williamson (1969), but the second stage cannot be referred to any phase. The fourth and following stages are juveniles. The larval characteristics are compared with those of described congeners. The larvae of P. japonica are unique even among known pandalids' larvae in that they lack pereopodal exopods. The phylogenetic significance of larval morphology as it relates to developmental pattern is also discussed.