Laboratory studies on the larval growth and development ofEuphausia lucens(Euphausiacea)

Abstract

Larvae of Euphausia lucens were reared in the laboratory from the third calyptopis stage to the first juvenile stage. Data are presented on growth, intermoult period and ontogenesis of the larvae under different dietary conditions. It is demonstrated that a mixed algal (Tetraselmis) and animal diet (Artemia nauplii) produced slightly better growth in the larvae than did pure algal or animal diets. The intermoult period is 3—4 days and is not age dependent in the furcilia stage of development. The ontogeny of E. lucens followed two main pathways of development which were independent of feeding conditions.