Anadara (Scapharca) broughtonii is one of the most economically important arks found on muddy bottom of shallow waters around Japan. The present paper includes the results of observations on the larvae of this species for the purpose of detecting them from plankton collections. Observations were made on morphological characters, viz. the outline, texture, coloration, size, and especially, hinge apparatus of the larval shell. The material used in this study were reared under the controlled conditions in August, 1968, until they reached metamorphosing stage. The results are summarized as follows : (1) The development of the larvae is shown in Table 1. (2) The photomicrographs of the general shape are shown in Plate 4, while those of the hinge apparatus seen from dorsal side in Text-fig. 1. Morphological characters during growth of the larvae are described in detail. (3) The larval shell of this species is so similar to that of a closely allied form, A. (S.) subcrenata, in color and size at the time of metamorphosis. But A. broughtonii is distinguishable from A. subcrenata in having the different outline and the greater numbers of the concentric growth lines. (4) It is suggested that the hinge structure of the larval shells including the ligament and the provincular teeth is one of the most important criteria in identification and classification of the larvae of bivalve mollusks.
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