Abstract

The genus Allopetrolisthes consists of 3 species, all of them endemic to the southeastern Pacific (Peru and Chile). The first description of the early developmental stages of a representative of Allopetrolisthes is presented. The morphology of the prezoea, the 2 zoeal stages, the megalopa, and the first crab stage of A. angulosus is described and illustrated. Comparisons of the larvae of A. angulosus with those of species of Petrolisthes from the Pacific coast of the Americas revealed strong similarities of the larval appendages between these 2 groups. The combination of the presence of (1) denticles exclusively on the internal margin of the telsonal setae in both zoeal stages and (2) 2 rows of spiniform setae on posterior spines of the carapace in zoea 1 is proposed as a possible generic larval characteristic of Allopetrolisthes.