Descriptions of the first zoeas of three Grapid crabs ( Crustacea: Decapoda: Grapsidae) from Hadhramout Coast-Gulf of Aden

Authors

Ahmed Edah Al Haj, Hadhramout universty, marine biology departmetFollow

Abstract

This study aimed to describe the first zoeal stage of three species of the grapsid (Metopograpsus thu-khar, Geograpsus crinipes, Grapsus tenuicrastatus) for the first time in the Gulf of Aden from three stations offshore in the coast of Al Shihr. Samples were collected using a 352 µm plankton net for three months. The larval stage was dissected in detail and the appendages were drawn using a Lucida graphic camera. The species G. tenuicrastatus was distinguished from the known Grapsus species in that the antenna contains five setae ranged in the (3 + 2) system, while in the other species ranged in the (4 + 1) system. The larvae of Ge. crinipes in this study were distinguished by basial endite of Maxillule with 6 setae and the telson without lateral spines. The first larval of M. thukhar was described for the first time in the world and can easy distinguished by presence of setae on the dorsal spine, the presence of 6 setae in the antennae Exopod and the presence of setae on the ven-tral edge.

Recommended Citation

Al Haj, Ahmed Edah (2023) "Descriptions of the first zoeas of three Grapid crabs ( Crustacea: Decapoda: Grapsidae) from Hadhramout Coast-Gulf of Aden," Hadhramout University Journal of Natural & Applied Sciences: Vol. 20: Iss. 2, Article 2.
Available at: https://digitalcommons.aaru.edu.jo/huj_nas/vol20/iss2/2