X. On the development of an estherid crustacean

Abstract

In the spring of 1922 the author obtained a sample of dried mud that contained eggs of Estherid Crustacea. It was collected in the neighbourhood of Baghdad by Capt. T. Buist, R. A. M. C. On placing it in water the Estherid nauplii hatched out within 24 hours. At the same time a large crop of protozoal and bacterial micro-organisms developed, and on these the nauplii fed. They thrived well on this diet and did not need any further food supply. They grew to the adult stage in about three weeks. The adult specimens were identified by Mr. Robert Gurney as belonging to two genera. Out of about twenty adult specimens two were Leptesheria sp. , while the remainder belonged to the genus Estheria (=Cyzicus or Eocyzicus). Since these two genera differ from each other only in minute details, and since the examination of the larvæ did not indicate two types of larvae, they will be referred to simply as Estheria larvæ.