Larvae of the Common Penaeid Prawns of Malaysia and South-East Asia

This book describes in detail the full larval series of ten common, economically important species of penaeid prawn in five genera, including Metapenaeus, Metapenaeopsis, Parapenaeopsis, Penaeus and Trachysalambria. Four Parapenaeopsis species are documented here for the first time. A synthesis of larval development across the five genera is provided, with an advanced hypothesis of four developmental pathways. Showcasing 105 plates of accurate, non-stylized, realistic drawings of penaeid larvae cultured in the laboratory, Larvae of the Common Penaeid Prawns of Malaysia and South-East Asia describes extensive and intensive larval diagnoses and staging and taxonomic treatment for the generic and specific identification of the nauplius, protozoea, mysis and first post-larva, including those of other described species in the region.

The new classification key is the first for the region to consider every larval stage. Larviculture methods of the different species in a laboratory setting are also provided as a supplementary resource. To accompany the book, the author has created a semi-automated species/genus identification app for Android smartphones based on larval morphometrics.

This text is an essential buy for institutional repositories, libraries, universities and fisheries research institutes, and those interested in penaeid and crustacean biology, shrimp aquaculture, fisheries, zooplankton and larval ecology, and numerical taxonomy. It will be a useful text and guide for researchers, students, technicians, culturists and managers working in universities, fisheries and other research institutes/agencies, consultancies and the aquaculture industry.