The life history and culturing of Xestoleberis hanaii (Crustacea, Ostracoda)

Xestoleberis hanaii Ishizaki, 1968 is one of the most abundant species on the Japanese coast and can be collected in all seasons from intertidal calcareous algae on rocky shores. Several characteristics make this species a suitable `experimental animal' in the laboratory: (1) adaptability to artificial environments (room temperature, petri dish, artificial seawater, single cultured food-type), (2) high fertility (active copulatory behaviour, egg brooding within the carapace, high egg productivity) and (3) rapid growth rate. Females mate after the final moult (when the reach sexual maturity); oviposition of fertilized eggs takes place over a period of four days after the final moult. Eggs (about 40 in total) are laid a few at a time in the postero-dorsal brood space of the carapace; they hatch in about 9 d as A-7 instars which are then discharged from the brood space within a day or two. Seven moults take place within the next approx. 33 (female) or 39 (male) days to reach adulthood. Adult females live for about 18 weeks and may repeat the reproductive cycle three times; adult males live for about 14 weeks.