TAXONOMY OF ZOEA LARVAE OF CRUSTACEAN DECAPODS AT THE NORTHEASTERN AREA, COLOMBIAN CARIBBEAN SEA

Abstract

The larvae composition of crustacean decapod families at the northeastern region of the Colombian Caribbean was studied based on plankton oblique tows with a bongo net system during July-August, November-December 1997 and March-April 1998. Zoeas were separated and identied to the taxonomic family level from the samples collected. 30 families were described, based on external characteristics as body shape, eyes, antennae, antenule, shell, abdomen, telson, number of thorax appendages and abdomen segments, as well as presence, absence and spines counting. Taxonomic keys were developed to facilitate the identication of the larval stages of Decapoda from the study area.