The first record larvae of the genus Peltogaster (Rhizocephala: Peltogastridae) with eyes and unilobed male aesthetasc.

ABSTRACT

The complete larval development of Peltogaster lineata Shiino, 1943 (Rhizocephala Peltogastridae), including five nauplii and one cypris stage, is described and illustrated using SEM. The development took 3.5-4 days at a water temperature of 22-23 °C. Peltogaster lineata has the peltogastrid type of development. Nauplii possess a large and clearly reticulated flotation collar, six pairs of dorsal shield setae with the U-shaped second pair, long segmented frontolateral horns each with two subterminal setae, and a long seta at the antennal basis. The attachment disc in female cyprids has a flap-like extension at the posterior margin. Cyprids of both sexes possess two sensory setae at the attachment disc. The large male aesthetasc is unilobed, the female subterminal aesthetasc terminates into two thin long filamentous processes. Larvae of P. lineata have distinctly visible nauplius eyes.