SEGUIMIENTO DEL CICLO REPRODUCTIVO EN EL ANFIPODO MARINO PARHYALE HAWAIENSIS (DANA) (GAMMARIDEA: HYALIDAE)

Abstract

The amphipod Parhyale hawaiensis was collected in copulative and ovate states in the rocky shore of Cartagena (Colombian Caribbean). Six phases were defined during the fecundation period. Five characteristic stages in the evoution of the eggs and embryos were established for the marsupial development. It was defined the post-marsupial development as consisting of four life periods, based on variations in total length, head length, antennal article number, shape of gnathopod two, and the.increase in number of medial marginal thorns in the gnathopod two and pereiopods. The fecundation process and the embryologic development lasted sixteen days. Embryos developed simultaneously in number of13 per female. The release of juveniles was asynchronous. In the male, sexual dimorphism was reached after four weeks as evidenced by the size and shape of the gamopod 2 and the number of articles in antennaes 1 and 2.