MORPHOLOGY OF OOSTEGITES AND BROODING HABITS IN THE MARINE AMPHIPOD Parhyale hawaiensis FROM RED SEA

Document Type : Research article

Authors

1 Dept. of Zoology, Fac. of Science (Sohag), South Valley Univ.

2 Dept. of Zoology, Fac. of Science, Assiut Univ.

Abstract

The marsupium of Parhyale hawaiensis consists of four pairs of coxal plates (brood plates or oostegites). The morphology and the size of brood plates, and type and quality of setae bordering the oostegites have been discussed. The marine amphipod Parhyale hawaiensis is a synchronous and short term brooder. Embryos, were in the same developmental stage and held together in the brood pouch. Brood size varied from 5 to 13 in specimens varying in body length from 5 to 10 mm. Brood size was found to be correlated linearly with female body length.

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