Burukovsky R.N. 2010. [Morphology and biology of shrimp Nematocarcinus gracilipes Filhol, 1884 (Decapoda: Nematocarcinidae)] // Invertebrate Zoology. Vol.6 (for 2009). No.2: 81–88 [in Russian, with English summary].
Kaliningrad State Technical University, Kaliningrad, 236000, Russia. E-mail: burukovsky@klgtu.ru
doi: 10.15298/invertzool.06.2.01
KEY WORDS: Nematocarcinus gracilipes: the morphological description, the ontogenetic variability.
ABSTRACT: The distal-ventral organ of abdomen’s IV segment in shrimp Nematocarcinus gracilipes Filhol 1884 differ from ones of all another species of this genus by presence of unfledged, thickened, spindle-shaped by form and close located chaetae. The rostrum traits are changed during ontogenesis and its allometric growth is positive regarding the carapace. The rostrum growth take place due to mainly active growth of its distal part that is without spines. In juvenile shrimps distal part is not more than 0.3 of rostrum length, but in adult it is 0.7–0.8. The V abdominal segment’s pleura form is changed during ontogenesis also. In mature adults with carapace length 15 mm and more the pleura has small spine. The spine is lacking in smaller shrimps, and the upper edge of pleura is rounded. Females of this species become mature at carapace length 18 mm.