The larval development of Pagurus proximus (Decapoda: Anomura: Paguridae) reared in the laboratory

The larval development of the hermit crab Pagurus proximus is described and illustrated from the larvae reared in the laboratory. The development included four zoea and a single megalopa, thus following the typical pattern in the Paguridae. At 20–22°C megalopa of P. proximus was attained 17 to 23 days after hatching. Morphological characters of zoea and megalopa of P. proximus are compared with those described for the related species P. brachiomastus. The distinctive differences between larvae of these two species lend support to the separation of P. proximus from P. brachiomastus. The main larval features allow to assign P. proximus larvae to the Group A of Pagurus larvae (typical representative: P. bernhardus).