Development & larvae

Clibanarius longitarus larvae are metamorphic, meaning from an embryo the organism will morph into a form different to that of an adult individual. The first stage of development after the embryo stage is a zoea, which has four stages of variable time lengths. After this, it develops into a megalopea, a small replica of the adult form. It has only one megalopea stage, (see Figure 21)(Bartelloti, 2008; Tudge, Asakura & Ahyong, 2004)

A study carried out by Teoh & Chong, (2014) found that as with many invertebrates, a high density of larva are released, which then gives rise to an abundance of juveniles. A huge majority of these juveniles disappear before reaching adulthood. This is most likely due to a lack of empty shells, as most juveniles found in this study were 'naked' and without a shell.

Figure 21- The various developmental stages of a paguroidea larva. A-D: first through to fourth zoeal stages, E: megalopea stage. (Source: Diagram modified from Tudge, Asakura & Ahyong, 2004, by Author, 2014.)