Development of planktonic larvae of unidentified barnacle species from Vellar estuary (southeast coast of India)

Abstract

Descriptions of planktonic larvae of unidentified cirripede species collected in Vellar estuary, S E coast of India have been given. Based on their morphological features as well as precise increase within a size-range specific to each instars, the sequence of events during metamorphosis of the species from stage II nauplius to cyprid has been determined. The larvae in having a median abdominal spine share a amphitrite character and in having a pair of setae on the endopodite of the mandible and a smooth carapace border share tetraclitellan characters as well. This sharing of morphological characters of two Balanomorph subfamilies namely coronuloidea, Tetraclitella and balanoidea, Balanus may have some basis in phylogeny.