Intraspecific variability in larval development in the lithodine crab Lithodes maja

Abstract

Interspecific comparison of larval duration in lecithotrophic deep-water lineage lithodine king crabs suggests that faster development at a given temperature is associated with greater energetic reserve utilisation. Similarly, intraspecific comparison using data from two different studies has suggested that faster development at a given temperature is associated with greater energetic reserve utilisation in the deep-water-lineage lithodine Lithodes maja. To assess intraspecific covariation in duration of larval development and energetic resource utilisation more robustly, we examined larval development parameters (survival, duration of development, and energetic reserve utilisation) in broods from three different captive-mated females of the northern stone crab L. maja incubated and maintained under identical conditions at 6 °C. Larval survival was similar among broods but duration of development differed. Energetic reserve utilisation also differed among broods with the depletion of C mass and N mass appearing greater in faster developing larvae. The greater energetic cost of more rapid development may contribute to selection pressure for increased per-offspring investment during adaptation to low temperature and high hydrostatic pressure in lithodid species. Although the limited number of broods examined prevents definitive conclusions, results presented here suggest potential links between duration of development and energetic reserve utilisation, warranting further exploration of this relationship.

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