Reconstructing the life cycle of the isopodan group Aegidae with morphological descriptions and the importance of immature stages

Abstract

A collection of various developmental stages of Aegidae is presented and described, with the first description and photographs of eggs and embryos of this group. Intra-specific variation among specimens and developmental stages is described, as well as inter-specific, ontogenetic variation between immature stages and their better-known adult stages. Developmental stage differentiation of these opportunistic feeders is compared to that of the closely related parasitic representatives of Cymothoidae. This study is the first to attempt to provide the life cycle of these animals, which include well-documented and described immature stages.