First zoeal stage of ? Cataleptodius parvulus (Fabricius, 1793) and Xanthodius denticulatus (White, 1848) (Decapoda: Brachyura): larval evidences and systematic position

Abstract

The first zoeal stages of ? Cataleptodius parvulus and Xanthodius denticulatus are described and compared with zoeae of other members of the subfamily Xanthinae. The larvae of ? C. parvulus and X. denticulatus differ mainly in: 1) spinulation of rostral and dorsal spines; 2) type of antenna; 3) setation of the basis of first maxilliped; and 4) type of telson. Features common to both species include a carapace provided with well-developed spines on the dorsal (1), rostral (1), and lateral (2) portions; and the antennal protopod and rostrum similar in length. The morphological differences between the zoea I of X. denticulatus and ? C. parvulus are nevertheless consistent enough to suggest that these species do not belong to the same genus Xanthodius Stimpson, 1859 as previously supposed. Also we presume that ? C. parvulus does not belong to the genus Cataleptodius.