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Numerous studies on the reproduction of decapods have revealed that the female energy investment in embryo production is generally around 10% of the female weight. In decapods living together with other organisms, however, the reproductive output (RO) may be substantially higher. Here we tested the hypothesis that decapods living in association with other organisms allocate more energy in embryo production than free-living ones. We studied the shrimp Gnathophylloides mineri , which lives among the spines of the sea urchin Tripneustes ventricosus. Shrimps were collected between October 2011 and April 2013 along the southern Caribbean coast of Costa Rica. A total of 45 ovigerous females were analyzed; female size ranged from 1.44 to 2.14 mm carapace length. Females carried on average 37 ± 16 SD embryos. The embryo volume increased during the incubation period by 200% (from 0.04 ± 0.01 to 0.08 ± 0.01 mm3, mean ± SD). The RO was not related to female size, and comprised on average 27.5 ± 16.0 SD % of the dry weight of the females. In summary, G. mineri produces few and small embryos, but these embryos are relatively large when compared to similar-sized caridean species. Moreover, RO of this ectosymbiotic species was higher than in free-living species, but lower than in endosymbiotic decapods. These results support the hypothesis that energy investment in embryo production of decapods increases with the level of protection associated with the symbiosis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Thai freshwater shrimps of the family Atyidae are reviewed. A taxonomic synopsis is given here to the 19 species so far known from Thailand, including two new species, namely Caridina thai sp. nov. and C. kottelati sp. nov. Two species are recorded for the first time from Thailand, namely C. annandalei , and C. rangoona. Caridina siamensis is resurrected and regarded as senior synonym for C. villadolidi. Most of the landlocked species found in Thailand are endemic to the regions of Indo-China (Caridina annandalei , C. lanceifrons , C. macrophora , C. rangoona , and C. tonkinensis) or Sundaland (C. johnsoni and C. temasek). Apart from the recently described C. panhai and the two new species, C. gracilima is the only confirmed endemic species for Thailand. Descriptions for new and poorly known species, diagnosis for newly recorded species and taxonomic discussions for all species are provided. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In 2015, an unknown snapping shrimp of the genus Alpheus was collected in the San Pedro River inlet (Bay of Cadiz, SW Spain). Initially, its identification was not possible only based on DNA barcoding or morphology, considering the difficulties in the Alpheus taxonomy and the low percentage of DNA sequences of Alpheus spp. available in public databases. However, recent studies from Kuwait, Qatar and Iraq describing the morphology of Alpheus cf. lobidens allowed us to place the exotic Alpheus in this species complex. There are also recent sequences of 16S mtRNA and COI deposited in GenBank and BOLD that match >99% of similarity with the sequences of the specimens from the Bay of Cadiz. These sequences have the same origin in the Persian Gulf, but they have been attributed to different Alpheus species. Here we discuss these mismatches, and data about the distribution in the Gulf of Cadiz as well as the habitat of Alpheus cf. lobidens. Additionally, DNA barcodes, and a detailed morphological description and illustrations are provided. Some hypotheses about possible ways of introduction are discussed, and the most plausible route seems to be a natural expansion to the west after entering the Mediterranean Sea by the Suez Canal. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The first evidence of the predation of brittle stars, Ophiothela sp. (Ophiotrichidae), by the palaemonid shrimp Phyllognathia simplex Fujino, 1973 (Palaemonidae), is presented based on a single observation accompanied by in situ photographs taken while scuba diving in Bali, Indonesia, also being the first ever observation of the feeding behaviour in this uncommon shrimp species. In addition, in situ photographs of three ovigerous females tentatatively identified as P. cf. simplex from southern Florida, U.S.A., suggest that P. simplex or a closely related species may be present in the western Atlantic. This is the first photographic evidence of the presence of the genus Phyllognathia Borradaile, 1915 in this part of the world. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Morphometric relationships and condition factors are essential for understanding any marine species' development process, which aids in designing appropriate strategies for management and articulating their balance in the ecosystem — and this includes shrimps. Since only a few studies on these characteristics have been done in Penaeus semisulcatus over the last thirty years, constant updating of these criteria is required to successfully manage the shrimp fishery in Palk Bay. The CL-TW relationship demonstrates negative allometric growth in both males and females, whereas the TL-TW relationship exhibits positive allometric growth. In this present investigation, significant differences in slopes and elevations of the carapace length-total weight, total length-total weight, carapace length-total length, and total length-carapace length have been observed between sexes; considering the condition factors shown in the present investigation, the shrimps in Palk Bay were in good growing condition. This study has demonstrated that updated information on morphometric relationships would help fishery managers effectively manage the fisheries. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

During a series of irregular visits to Inhaca Island, Mozambique in the years 1982-1987, J.H.C. Walenkamp, often aided by students and staff of the Faculty of Biology in Maputo, made extensive collections of littoral and infralittoral invertebrates. Among the extensive collections of Brachyura, several caridean shrimps were encountered, upon which we herein report. Cuapetes cf. ensifrons is recorded from Mozambique for the first time. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Sustainable fishing technology for shrimp in Cape Verde's semi-deep waters. A 20-year cooperative journey: from surveying to sustainable exploitation of a virgin resource. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]