Abstract
The complete larval development of the red frog crab Ranina ranina under laboratory conditions is described and illustrated. Zoeal characters of this species are compared with previously reported ones, and morphological differences of megalopas in the family Raninidae are discussed.
This species is proved to have 7 or 8 zoeal instars and one meaglopal instar. Morphological differences among individuals in the same instar were observed from instar VI, in which two different features were observed on mandibular palp and the endopod of 3rd maxillipeds. Of the 7th instar zoeas about 19% showed that several body parts, such as antennular peduncle, 2nd maxilliped and pleopods, were morphologically advanced, like the 8th instar zoeas. It is so-called ac-celerated development, because they seem to metamorphose directly to megalopas by omitting instar VIII.
