STRASSER, Karen M; Ferris State University: The larval development of two sibling species of hermit crabs in the Genus Paguristes (Crustacea: Anomura: Diogenidae) under laboratory conditions.

Two hermit crab species, Paguristes tortugae and an undescribed species Paguristes sp. are similar in structural morphology as adults, but differ in coloration and distribution patterns. The larval development may yield clues to potential differences in these species. First stage larvae were obtained from populations near Tampa Bay, Florida and the Florida Keys for Paguristes sp., and the Florida Keys only for the more restricted P. tortugae. Specimens reared in the lab passed through two brief zoeal stages before molting to the decapodid stage. Morphological descriptions of the two zoeal stages and decapodid stage is discussed along with comparisons with larvae from others species in the family Diogenidae.