A description of postembryonic development of Astacus astacus and Pontastacus leptodactylus
Published Online: 4/15/2020
Abstract
The present study describes the external morphology of the first three postembryonic developmental stages (Stage 1-3) of two prominent European crayfish species, the noble crayfish Astacus astacus (Linnaeus, 1758) and the narrow-clawed crayfish Pontastacus leptodactylus (Eschscholtz, 1823). External morphology and setation of appendages are similar, presence of re-curved tips for cheliped in Stage I and then the tip lost in Stage 2, long plumose setae on the telson in Stage 2 and then the setae disappearance in Stage 3 accompanied with the fully developed tail fan. The number of segments on antennal flagella differs between the species in Stage I and Stage II. Observed findings on early postembryonic development are consistent between European and North American (Pacifastacus sp.) astacid species, but differ in certain aspects from other crayfish families.
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How to Cite
Kawai T and Kouba A. (2020). A description of postembryonic development of Astacus astacus and Pontastacus leptodactylus. Freshwater Crayfish 25(1):103-116. doi: 10.5869/fc.2020.v25-1.103
Author Information
Tadashi Kawai,* Research Division, Central Fisheries Research institution, 238 Hamanaka, Yoichi, Hokkaido, Japan046-8555. E-mail: tadashikawai8@gmail.com
Kouba Antonin, Faculty of Fisheries and Protection of Water, University of South Bohemian, Zatisi/II, , Vodnany, Vodnany, Czech Republic389-25. E-mail: antonin.kouba@seznam.cz
Corresponding Author indicated by an *.
Publication History
Manuscript Submitted: 10/20/2018
Manuscript Accepted: 1/13/2020
Published Online: 4/15/2020
Published in Print: 4/30/2020
Funding Information
No specific funding statement is available for this article.