Morphological attributes to identify post larvae shrimps of Penaeidae family in Bandar-e-Emam and Abadan estuaries, southern Iran

In an attempt to identify shrimps in post larvae stages in Khouzestan province waters, eight estuaries stretching in the area were monthly sampled during the years 2000-2001. Bongo nets with a mesh size 330 microns were used in comerwise sampling that covered bottom to surface waters. We first separated Penaeidae larvae from decapods in the samples. Then, we identified 2054 Parapenaeopsis siylifera in post larvae stage showing eight pairs of telsons spine, the inner and outer flagellum of the first antennae being 3 and 5 segmented. Their scaphocerite was broad and short and their second antennae equipped with 32A36 cilia. Also, 640 Metapenaeus affininst in post larvae stage were identified with seven pairs of telsons spins, and 2 and, 3 segmented of inner and outer flagellum of first antennae. We also recognized 6 Penaeus sp. in post larvae stage with spines on posterior side of the fifth and sixth abdominal segments and their scaphocerite longer than flagellum that were irregular in w.....