Under the sea

Crab Larva This is the larva of a marine shrimp (many freshwater and terrestrial crustaceans skip the larval stage). As you can see, these larvae bear little resemblance to the adult. The compound eyes are the most prominant feature, suggesting that vision is very important at this stage. Mechanosensory (vibration or hearing) and chemosensory (smell) setae sprout from the various appendages, giving them the senses they need to survive during this free swimming stage in the ocean. Eventually, this larva could have metamorphosed into the adult form to take its chances on a coral reef or the sea floor. But I (accidently) caught it first.

 

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Lucifer		Crab Larva		Tubeworm		Tiny Shell		More Marine