Effects of substratum and conspecific adults on the metamorphosis of Chasmagnathus granulata (Dana) (Decapoda: Grapsidae) megalopae

The ability of marine invertebrate larvae to delay their metamorphosis in the absence of adequate environmental cues has been reported for numerous sedentary and sessile species. In the present study, the effect of various substrata and the presence of conspecific adults on the metamorphosis of a mobile species, the crab Chasmagnathus granulata, was evaluated. The duration of the megalopa stage in experiments with six different substrata and in the presence or absence of conspecific adults was compared in a laboratory study. In addition, the influence of natural substrata was compared with that of artificial substrata of similar grain size or texture. In a further experiment, the two most effective cues (natural mud and conspecific adults) were tested as single vs. combined factors. Natural mud and unidentified chemical cues from conspecific adults had the strongest accelerating effects on development duration to metamorphosis. With the exception of nylon threads (artificial filamentous substratum), none of the artificial substrata had a significant effect on the duration of the megalopa stage. Simultaneous exposure to natural mud and water containing chemical cues from conspecific adults accelerated metamorphosis more than each of these factors separately. Megalopae that were reared without a substratum (control) delayed their metamorphosis by 29% (about 3 days) compared with those in simultaneous contact with natural mud and rearing water of adult conspecifics. The results indicate that the metamorphosis of the megalopa of C. granulata is influenced by the presence or absence of environmental stimuli that are associated with the preferred adult habitat.  1998 Elsevier Science B.V.