Abstract
Larval development of Chilean Cancer species comprises one prezoeal stage, five zoeal and one megalopal stages. The prezoeae observed in this study emerge from the eggs as a free and active swimming larvae, lasting about 15 minutes before molting to the typical first zoea. Embryonic cuticle rounds completely the larva, forming long, setose, soft sheaths on antennules, antenna and telson ; all the parabuccal appendages are rudimentaries and unfunctional. A key for to identify the studied species is presented and furthermore, some comments concerning other previously reported prezoeae are also presented. Prezoea larvae are described and illustrated in detail.
