Pembiakan dan perkembangan Amphipoda

Breeding and development of the amphipods. Amphipod is a diocious animal During mating time the male rides on the back of the female. The riding sometime can last for more than 10 days and its position differs with species. After several days of riding then the female molts, the male separates her for a while. Molting lasts for about one minute, 3 – 4 minutes is the longest, and usually occurred at night. After the female completes to molt she begins to deposit the eggs, the male again rides on her back and then quickly turns its position to the ventral side of the female. In this condition the penis which is situated on the 7th thoracic segment, contacts the genital aperture of the female which is situated on the 5th thoracic segment. After completing the copulation, the male separates from the female. The number of eggs produces per brood is variable, depending on some factors i.e. species, age, weight, and size.In nature the eggs hatch out 1 - 3 weeks after they have been deposited. Larvae are generally resembling the adult except in some families.