Abstract
The larval development of the freshwater shrimp Palaemonetes ivonicus was studied under
laboratory conditions, based upon offsprings of ovigerous females collected in a várzea lake of the
Solimões River system. The females carry few (12 to 43), large (2.31 ± 0.14 x 1.49 ± 0.09 mm), yolk-rich eggs. The species goes through three larval stages without feeding. The newly-hatched larva has
sossile eyes and all the appendages, except for the uropods; however, some of the appendages still
exhibit a rudimentary form. Larva II has stalked eyes and functional walking legs. Larva III has free
uropods. Metamorphosis occurs between four and six days after hatching. Descriptions and illustrations
of the larval and first juvenile stages are given.
