An Integrated Taxonomy Approach Identified the Final Stage of Giant Phyllosoma of Parribacus antarcticus (Lund, 1793) (Crustacea: Decapoda: Scyllaridae) from Taiwan Waters

Abstract

A bizarre marine planktonic organism giant phyllosoma with a body length of 79 mm was collected off Taiwanese waters for the first time. The specimen is positively identified as Parribacus antarcticus (Lund, 1793) by DNA barcoding, representing the largest and the first final stage giant phyllosoma with identification confirmed. The characteristics of the phyllosoma from Taiwan is described and illustrated in detail. As morphometric ratios previously proposed for identifying phyllosomae of Parribacus failed to assign correctly the species of the Taiwanese specimen, there is still no reliable morphological character for separating these giant phyllosomae. A key to the different phyllosoma stages of P. antarcticus is provided.