Early development of nervous system in Litopenaeus vannamei (Boone, 1931) (Crustacea: Decapoda) Larval nervous system, genesis, differentiation

Abstract

The nervous system plays pivotal role in co-ordination of body activities and coping with the task of controlling the behavioral activities during larval development. In present study, we give a basic description in the early stage morphology of nervous system in L. vannamei by classical histological techniques. Results revealed that neuropil first emerged in N1 stage and the front part of nervous system started getting structural shape in N3 where the ganglions were coalesced in front part of head. The complete structure of central nervous system including proto-, deuto- and tritocerebrum was observed in N6 stage. The structural expansion of nervous system in successive stages was continued and protocerebrum differentiated into anterior and posterior median protocerebrum at Z3 stage. The optic ganglions, sub-esophageal ganglions and pleon ganglions were distinct in zoea stage. Furthermore, we discuss the relativity between the development of olfactory lobes and the voluntary movement of larva.