The first larval stage of the deep-sea lobster Polycheles typhlops is described for the first time from laboratory-reared material. This is the earliest stage known of the Decapoda infraorder Eryonidea, and the first stage ever obtained in the laboratory. The first larva of P. typhlops presents well-developed and chelated pereiopods I and II; the abdomen is very small and not well segmented; the pleopods and uropods are represented as small buds. Larval features of the first stage of P. typhlops are compared with other known eryoneicid forms described in the literature, especially with specimens in early developmental stages taken from plankton samples

6 pages, 2 figures

Peer reviewed