This book describes in detail the full larval series of 10 common, economically important species of penaeid prawn in five genera, including Metapenaeus, Metapenaeopsis, Parapenaeopsis, Penaeus and Trachysalambria. Four Parapenaeopsis species are documented here for the first time. A synthesis of larval development across the five genera is provided with an advanced hypothesis of four developmental pathways. Showcasing accurate artwork of 102 plates of non-stylized, as-it-is drawings of penaeid larvae, cultured in the laboratory, the book describes extensive and intensive larval diagnoses, staging and taxonomic treatment for the generic and specific identification of the nauplius, protozoea, mysis and first postlarva, including those of other described species in the region.

This classification key is the first to consider each and every larval stage. Larviculture methods of the different species in a laboratory setting are also provided as a supplementary resource. To accompany the book, the author has created a semi-automated species/genus identification app for Android smartphones based on larval morphometrics.

This book is an essential buy for institutional repositories, libraries, universities and fisheries research institutes, and those who are interested in penaeid and crustacean biology, shrimp aquaculture, fisheries, zooplankton and larval ecology, and numerical taxonomy. It will be a useful text and guide for researchers, students, technicians, culturists and managers working in universities, fisheries and other research institutes/agencies, consultancies, and the aquaculture industry.