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The present study represents the first information on direct age determination based on band counts in the mesocardiac ossicle (gastric mill) and eyestalk, in Aristeus alcocki , Penaeus monodon , Penaeus indicus , Panulirus homarus , and Portunus sanguinolentus from India. The determination of growth bands is important in understanding the accurate age of a specimen for the effective management strategies for stock sustainability of the natural resource. Longitudinal sections of the eyestalk and meso-cardiac ossicle of the gastric mill were observed for growth band counts in all species except for P. homarus , where the growth bands were recorded only in the ossicle. Growth bands count five in females and four in males of A. alcocki , respectively. In the case of inshore prawns, two growth bands were observed in P. monodon and one growth band in P. indicus , five growth bands in P. homarus , and three in P. sanguinolentus. Résumé: Cette étude présente la première information sur la détermination directe de l'âge basée sur le nombre des stries de l'osselet méso-cardiaque (moulin gastrique) et des pédoncules oculaires, chez Aristeus alcocki , Penaeus monodon , Penaeus indicus , Panulirus homarus , et Portunus sanguinolentus d'Inde. La détermination des stries de croissance est importante dans la compréhension de l'âge réel pour des stratégies efficaces de gestion en vue du maintien du stock des ressources naturelles. Des sections longitudinales des pédoncules oculaires et de l'osselet méso-cardiaque du moulin gastrique ont été observées pour le comptage des stries de croissance chez toutes les espèces sauf pour P. homarus , où les stries de croissance ont été examinées seulement dans l'osselet. Il a été compté respectivement, cinq stries de croissance chez les femelles et quatre chez les mâles de A. alcocki. Dans le cas des crevettes côtières, deux stries ont été observées chez P. monodon et une chez P. indicus , cinq stries chez P. homarus , et trois chez P. sanguinolentus. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The family Anchistioididae comprises a single genus Anchistioides with three species: A. compressus and A. willeyi from the tropical Indo-West Pacific, and A. antiguensis from the tropical West Atlantic. The two Indo-West Pacific species are known to be symbionts of sponges. Material collected in recent years throughout the Indo-West Pacific yielded range extensions as well as new host records. This material is herein described and their infraspecific morphological variation discussed. Résumé: La famille Anchistioididae comprend un seul genre Anchistioides et trois espèces : A. compressus et A. willeyi de l'Indo-Ouest Pacifique tropical et A. antiguensis de l'Atlantique Ouest tropical. Les deux espèces indo-occidentales du Pacifique sont connues pour être des symbiotes d'éponges. Le matériel collecté dans les dernières années dans l'Indo-Ouest Pacifique a permis d'élargir leur répartition ainsi que l'observation de nouveaux enregistrements hôtes. Ce matériel est décrit ici et la variation morphologique infraspécifique est discutée. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The atyid shrimps of Caridina nilotica species group from China are reviewed. Taxonomic diagnosis and discussions are given to three species so far known from China, viz. Caridina gracilipes De Man, 1892, Caridina macrophora Kemp, 1918 and Caridina elongapoda Liang & Yan, 1977. Detailed morphological description and illustrations are provided for a new species. Caridina sheni sp. nov. is morphologically similar to C. gracilipes but could be distinguished by its much longer dactylus of third and fifth pereiopods, and lower number of ventral rostral teeth. Résumé: Les crevettes Atyidae du groupe d'espèces Caridina nilotica de Chine sont révisées. La diagnose taxonomique et des discussions sont données pour trois espèces connues jusqu'à présent de Chine, soit Caridina gracilipes De Man, 1892, Caridina macrophora Kemp, 1918 et Caridina elongapoda Liang & Yan, 1977. La description morphologique détaillée et des illustrations sont fournies pour une nouvelle espèce. Caridina sheni sp. nov. est morphologiquement similaire à C. gracilipes mais s'en distingue par son dactyle beaucoup plus long des troisièmes et cinquièmes péréiopodes et un plus petit nombre de dents rostrales ventrales. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The objective of this study was to assess the patterns in the spatial distribution, size structure, morphometric relationships, and relationships of biomass and size to sampling depth and distance to the coast of Penaeus notialis in the Colombian Caribbean. The biological data were collected on board a shrimp trawler. The females were larger and heavier than the males, which indicated distinct sexual dimorphism in body size. The cephalothorax length at 50% maturity in females was 26.49 mm, and in males, it was 15.13 mm. Relatively high biomass values were found in the southern zone of the study area at depths between 25.6 and 49.3 m and between 3.94 and 7.80 nmi (= 7.29-14.45 km) from the coast. We found a clear spatial structure of biomass and size in relation to depth, so that the fishing effort can be directed to the locations of the adult population. Resumen: El objetivo de este estudio fue evaluar los patrones de distribución espacial, estructura de tallas, relaciones morfométricas, y relaciones de la biomasa y tallas con la profundidad y distancia de la costa de Penaeus notialis en el Caribe colombiano. Los datos biológicos fueron tomados a bordo de un barco camaronero arrastrero. Las hembras fueron más grandes y pesadas que los machos, mostrando un distinto dimorfismo sexual en tamaño. La longitud al 50% de madurez del cefalotórax en hembras fue 26.486 mm y en machos 15.134 mm. Valores relativamente altos de biomasa fueron encontrados en la zona sur del área de estudio, en profundidades entre 25.6 y 49.3 m y distancia de la costa de 3.94 a 7.80 nmi (= 7.29-14.45 km). Se encontró una clara estructura especial de la biomasa y las tallas relacionadas con la profundidad, para que el esfuerzo se pueda dirigir donde la población adulta está localizada. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The major biodiversity on the planet is present in coastal and oceanic environments, despite this, on the northern continental shelf of Brazil, data on most of the marine groups still are deficient, especially in areas deeper than 20 m and in the continental slope area. This lack of data is aggravated by high fisheries exploitation, which causes a decline in large, abundant populations, even leading them to threat of extinction. Among that marine biodiversity, no group has a larger morphological variety than crustaceans. In this scenario, knowledge about the local biodiversity, its richness and seasonality, is essential for a qualified fisheries management. The Amazon continental shelf has one of the largest shrimp fisheries in the country, and due to the ecological and economic importance that crustaceans have in the region, a detailed study on their diversity is necessary. In this article, we use data collected in the Revizee Program. We identified 91 species: crabs (32.97%), shrimp (28.57%), anomurans (10.99%), soft crabs (10.99%), lobsters (9.89%), stomatopods (4.40%) and isopods (2.20%). The State of Amapá had fewer species (n = 11) compared to Pará (n = 47). The data analysis shows there is a lack of knowledge about the real biodiversity present on the Amazon continental shelf. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We report on 13 species collected during the 1973 expedition onboard the MY "Velero IV": seven Euphausiidae (krill), two Benthesicymidae shrimp, two Sergestidae shrimp, one Acanthephyridae shrimp, and one Portunidae crab. Four species are new records for Costa Rica: Bentheogennema burkenroadi, Gennadas scutatus, Neosergestes consobrinus, and Phorcosergia filicta. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In tropical countries, a large number of finfish species and invertebrates are captured as by-catch, including several species of crustaceans, due to the low selectivity of the fishing methods. By-catch presents and optimal opportunity to study populations of crustaceans. Here, the goal was to determine the community structure, specifically through the size structure, as well as the average sizes at first maturity of crustacean species present in the shrimp by-catch caught aboard a fishing vessel operating in the Mexican Pacific, from Sinaloa to Guerrero, Mexico. From the 18 crustaceans found in this study, the crabs Euphylax robustus and Achelous asper were the dominant species, whereas four species were considered casual (i.e., not frequent). Interestingly, more than 40% of the organisms analysed were in the juvenile stage, and 19% were ovigerous females. The results demonstrate the negative impact of the low selectivity of shrimp trawls on the communities of species of Crustacea. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article offers a report on the first registered occurrence of a heteromorphic antennule in freshwater prawn, Macrobrachium acanthurus, during an experiment under laboratory conditions to evaluate the reproductive success of this species based on female fertility. Topics discussed include role of nervous system in heteromorphosis; physiological study of Macrobrachium acanthurus; and views on mortality of freshwater prawn.

The crustacean communities in Chilean seasonal pools have been poorly studied, and much of the existing literature is restricted to southern Patagonian plains, whereas there are no studies available about other sites. The aim of the present study is to describe the aquatic crustaceans in shallow pools in Huentelauquén (31°S, central northern Chile). The species reported upon include Daphnia ambigua , Simocephalus serrulatus , Boeckella gracilipes , Ostracoda, and two unidentified clam shrimps (genera Lynceus and Leptestheria), which latter ones represent the first record of these taxa for Chile. The ecological results revealed low species numbers and non-structured patterns in the various species associations. The exposed results are markedly different from observations on other Chilean seasonal pools, where no clam shrimps can be found, and where primarily cladocerans, copepods, and amphipods occur in the crustacean communities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The genus Parapenaeopsis Alcock, 1901 was divided into eight genera by grouping the species included, based on generic features, under Alcockpenaeopsis, Arafurapenaeopsis, Batepenaeopsis, Ganjampenaeopsis, Holthuispenaeopsis, Kishinouyepenaeopsis, Mierspenaeopsis, Parapenaeopsis (then sensu nov.) (Sakai & Shinomiya, 2011a, b). The genus Batepenaeopsis Sakai & Shinomiya, 2011 is currently known to include two species, B. tenella (Spence Bate, 1888) and B. venusta (De Man, 1907). However, in the present paper P. acclivirostris Alcock, 1905 from the Persian Gulf near Kuwait, and a new species, B. moresbyensis sp. nov. from the Central Province, Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea, are presented as new members of the genus Batepenaeopsis Sakai & Shinomiya, 2011. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the present account Batliysquilla microps (Manning, 1961) is recorded for the first time from the West African coast off Morocco and the Western Sahara. In the Atlantic Ocean, this species was only known from the tropical western basin; therefore this is the first time it is recorded from the eastern Atlantic. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The bopyrid isopod Probopyrus pandalicola (Packard, 1879) is a large, noticeable, hematophagous ectoparasite of palaemonid shrimps, including the daggerblade grass shrimp Palaemonetes pugio Holthuis, 1949. Bopyrids affect grass shrimp physiology and may also affect predator-prey dynamics. The purpose of this study was to determine whether the isopod affected the behavior and/or camouflage of grass shrimp, thereby altering the predation preferences of the mummichog Fundulus heteroclitus (Linnaeus, 1766). To determine whether the isopod affected predator preference through behavioral and/or camouflage alterations, paired combinations of unparasitized, parasitized, and marked shrimp were presented to mummichogs. One branchiostegite of some of the unparasitized shrimp was marked with black paint to mimic the bopyrid parasite. Mummichog predation preference and shrimp behavior immediately prior to predation events were recorded. All shrimp behavior was classified as motionless, walking, swimming, or backward thrusting. Immediately prior to predation, parasitized shrimp swam more (p = 0.0477) and backward thrusted less (p = 0.0272) than unparasitized shrimp. Mummichogs exhibited a preference for the more active shrimp (80.7% of shrimp; p <0.0001), and also for the less camouflaged (parasitized or marked) shrimp (81.5% of shrimp; p = 0.0011) if there was no difference in shrimp behavior. Parasitized shrimp were preferentially consumed (51/85 shrimp) when paired with unparasitized shrimp (p = 0.0089), but not with marked shrimp (p = 0.0837). A 30-min activity budget was created for each type of shrimp both in the presence and absence of predators; neither the parasite nor marking affected their behavior over 30 min (p = 0.1005). The major finding of this study was that P. pandalicola affected the predation preferences of F. heteroclitus by altering the behavior and/or camouflage of the grass shrimp. Parasitization alters predator-prey dynamics by decreasing the camouflage and the frequency of backward-thrusting behavior by the host when it is threatened by predation, which thereby decreases the ability of shrimp to escape from predators. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article presents the author's argument concerning the correct names of the infraorders of the ghost shrimps, asserting that the corrent names, from a nomenclatorial point of view, are Thalassinidea and Callianassidea and not Axiidea and Gebiidea. He mentions two publications to support his claims. It discusses why Axiidea and Gebiidea are nomenclaturally inappropriate names for the infraorders of the ghost shrimps.

The article presents the taxonomic study of the shrimp specie Metapenaeopsis kyushuensis as a senior synonym of the specie Metapenaeopsis lata Kubo. It describes the results of the author's study of the syntypes and topotypic specimens of M. kyushuensis from around Kyushu which reveals that M. kyushuensis is a senior synonym of Metapenaeopsis lata Kubo, 1949. Illustrations are also presented which depict the features of the syntypes of Leptopenaeus kyushuensis Yokoya, 1933.

Leaia is a special genus of extinct "conchostracan" branchiopods; its soft parts have not been known until now. The leaiid specimens with soft bodies reported in the present paper came from two localities: the Upper Carboniferous Canso Group of New Brunswick, Canada, and the Permian Mount Glossopteris Formation of the Ohio Range, Holick Mountains, Antarctica. They include head, biramous antennae, mandible, shell gland, male claspers, and digestive tube. These parts together fully demonstrate that the leaiid clam shrimp indeed should be attributed to the crustaceans, instead of Mollusca. Based on the ribbed valves and structure of soft parts it should be placed in the branchiopodan Diplostraca. We believe that this group, which went extinct at the end of the Permian, is quite different from those of Laevicaudata, Spinicaudata, and Cyclestheriida. Hence, it should have its own higher taxon, Leaiina. The well-developed and sharply pointed head, delicate and short biramous antennae, in concert with the radial ribs on the valves probably indicate a burrowing in-faunal habit. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present study is a review of the main inland water malacostracan species of northern Chile: Cryphiops caementarius (Molina, 1782). This species sustains the local fisheries in northern and central Chilean hydrographical basins. Cryphiops caementarius, in Chile known as the northern river shrimp, is endemic to rivers west of the Andes Mountains in Peru, and south from Chancay-Lambayeque River and the rivers in the northern Chilean littoral up to 32°55'S. Research on this species in its natural habitat consigned between 1958 to 2008 was directed to population knowledge, including mainly the existing populations in rivers in the Regions of Atacama and Coquimbo. Important advances were also made with regards to the study of the embryonic development, biology, life cycle and reproduction that serve as a basis for the technological development of juvenile production in a controlled environment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Further information on the little known pontoniine shrimps, Periclimenaeus quadridentatus Rathbun, 1906 and P. crassipes (Calman, 1939), is provided and illustrated, and Periclimenaeus calmani sp. nov, from the Cobourg Peninsula, Northern Territory, Australia, and P. serenei sp. nov., from Nha Trang, Vietnam, are designated. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Eualus biunguis was found at depths of 500-900 m in the East Sea of Korea, with the highest percentage of occurrence (33%) at 800 m. A positive correlation was observed between the number of individuals and depth. The overall sex ratio with depth deviated significantly from the expected 1 : 1, with a predominance of females, ranging from 84.80% to 97.25%. On average, the large males occurred at 600 m, the large females and ovigerous females were found at 800 m. Only non-ovigerous female E. biunguis were parasitized by the bopyrid isopod, Hemiarthrus abdominalis on the abdominal sternum between the first and second pleopods. The number of infested females differed significantly with depth. The relationship between carapace length and body weight in the parasitized and non-parasitized shrimps differed significantly, and the intercept of the non-infested shrimps was higher than that of the infested shrimps. This finding indicates that the parasite H. abdominalis has a negative effect on the growth of E. biunguis. Not only were the ovigerous females observed in relatively shallow depth range of the water, but their distribution depth range was extended to 900 m. The ovary weight of ovigerous E. biunguis increased during the incubation period, suggesting that the females are consecutive breeders, capable of multiple spawning within a single reproductive period. The gonadosomatic indices of the non-ovigerous females and ovigerous females differed significantly with depth. Mean egg size was 0.71 ± 0.09 mm3 in the non-eyed stage and 0.89 ± 0.16 mm3 in the eyed stage. There was no significant relationship between carapace length and egg size in the deep-water dwelling species E. biunguis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Rose shrimp (Parapenaeus longirostris) and Norway lobster (Nephrops norvegicus) are the two main target crustaceans for the demersal trawl fleet in the international waters of the Aegean Sea. In the present study, selectivity data were obtained for these two species in commercial codends (300 MC is 40 mm polyethylene codend with 300 meshes on its circumference) and two newly designed types, known as a narrow codend (200 MC is 40 mm polyethylene codend with 200 meshes on its circumference — 33% reduced) and square mesh top panel codend (SMTPC is constructed as 150 diamond meshes on the lower and 75 square meshes on the top panel), respectively. These three types of codends were tested using the covered codend method. Trawling was carried out at depths ranging from 269 to 426 m onboard a commercial vessel in August 2004. Selection parameters were obtained by fitting a logistic equation using the maximum likelihood method. The rose shrimp, in terms of weight, was the most abundant marketable species, with catch per hour values of 19.1, 16.0, and 15.0 kg in 300 MC, 200 MC, and SMTPC, respectively. Results of the selectivity analysis indicate that the commercially used 40 mm nominal mesh size PE codend is rather unselective for these species. In general, narrow and square mesh top panel codends have relatively higher L50 values than the commercial codend. However, the differences are significant only for rose shrimp, but not for Norway lobster. It is concluded that despite the improvements in selectivity, the codend modifications 'narrow' and 'square mesh top panel' were not sufficient to release immature specimens of either species, at least not when using the 40 mm PE standard netting. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article cites a study which examines the presence of the pontoniine shrimp or tuleariocaris holthuision the pacific coast of Panama. It investigated that it female species were investigated in the Coiba National Park which confirmed its presence in the region and significantly increasing. They were found attached to the spines of a black sea urchin, which is their only known host in the eastern pacific. It also determined that they include four species all associated with sea urchins, including Tuleariocaris holthuisi, Tuleariocaris Neglecta, Tuleariocaris sarec and Tuleariocaris Zanzibaricu.

The deep water rose shrimp, Parapenaeus longirostris is a commercial species for the trawl fleet that operates in the Gulf of Alicante. Despite its importance, there were no biological studies on the species for that area. This study presents results on the life cycle of the species, shedding light on certain crucial aspects. Data were obtained from monthly samples taken from commercial catches landed in the port of Santa Pola from 2001 to 2006. The fisheries in the studied area show a decreasing trend, both in number of vessels targeted on the species, and in landings, since 2001. The species shows a sexual size dimorphism, with a negative allometry of relative growth that is more pronounced in males and thus results in lower sizes of males than of females. Estimate produced from VBGF parameters gave higher K values for males than for females, indicating that males would reach 13.2 mm CL in the first year and females 14.8 mm CL, which would represent a maximum life expectancy of 4 and 6 years, respectively. The reproductive period, based on the percentages of maturity and GSI development, was found to range throughout the year, with some peaks of activity especially in summer. The size at first maturity (L50) of 25.6 mm for females indicates that maturation will have to occur from the second year of life. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present paper reports 13 species of shrimp from Dongtou Island, Zhejiang Province, in the East China Sea. Among these, a species of alpheid, Alpheus euphrosyne De Man, 1897, which is very similar to the typical subspecies, is recorded for the first time from Chinese waters; one species of penaeid, Metapenaeus affinis (H. Milne Edwards, 1837), is recorded for the first time from Zhejiang; and six other species are recorded for the first time from Dongtou Island with certainty. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We here report the isolation of haemocyanin, the crustacean oxygen transporter, from the haemolymph of the Chinese shrimp, Fenneropenaeus chinensis. We employed a Superdex 75 column, and the purified protein was demonstrated as homogeneous by Native-PAGE. The molecular mass of the purified haemocyanin was estimated to be 450 kDa using SDS-PAGE. The subsequent 2-DE suggested that it would be composed of three different subunits of 75-76 kDa each. Primary structure determination was performed by LC-ESI-MS and the data obtained were compared with the NCBI database. The result showed that these three subunits are identical to a partial fragment of haemocyanin from Litopenaeus vannamei. This research could be relevant to obtain pure haemocyanin, and will be helpful for further study on the structure and function of this large molecule. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Twenty-nine species of marine decapod Crustacea, specimens of which are deposited in the collections of the Muséum National d'Histoire Naturelle, Paris, are reported for the first time from the Lattakia area in Syria. The number of Decapoda currently known from this part of the Syrian coast is 88, of which 15 are Lessepsian migrants. Among the latter, four are reported for the first time from Syria: Alpheus lobidens De Haan, 1849, Ixa monodi Holthuis & Gottlieb, 1956, Micippa thalia (Herbst, 1803), and Thalamita poissonii (Audouin, 1826). The main sites for prospection are, from north to south: Al Hamam Island, Al Bdroussieh, Al Manarah, Om Tior, Bourj Islam, Ash Shamieh, Ibn Hani (Bourj Al Kassab), Alsahta'e Alazrak, Afamia, and the port of Lattakia. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

During a study on the ecology and biology of the fan mussel, Pinna nobilis along the northern and eastern coasts of Tunisia, the presence of the shrimp, Pontonia pinnophylax and the crab, Nepinnotheres pinnotheres (Decapoda) associated with this bivalve, was recorded. The shrimp was collected only in the lagoon of Bizerte, whereas the crab was found exclusively at Stah Jaber (close to the fishing port of Monastir). P. nobilis was occupied by Pontonia pinnophylax in 23.3% of the samples and the associated shrimp population was dominated by males (63.6%). Shrimp couples were generally encountered inside the large pinnids, and the size of the shrimps increased with that of the host. P. nobilis was occupied by Nepinnotheres pinnotheres in 56.7% of the cases. The highest numbers of crabs were recorded in the oldest pinnids. The sex-ratio of the associated crab population was male-biased, 62.5% of the population being males. A morphological study of the two associated species revealed some features worth noting. In the female shrimp, distinguished by the right chela in the second pair of pereiopods being definitely larger than the left, the length of this appendage (both right and left) increased with individual size, but these two variables were found independent in the male shrimp. Concerning Nepinnotheres pinnotheres, the length of the two chelae of the first pair of pereiopods increased with that of the animal's body in both sexes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A fourth species of the stygobiotic blind prawn genus, Typhlocaris Calman, 1909 is described as T. ayyaloni n. sp. and illustrated in detail. The description is based on 18 specimens collected in a brackish, sulfidic warm-water pool in the 'Ayyalon Cave', a recently discovered karstic complex in Israel. Morphological comparison with congeners and some preliminary data on the behaviour of the new species and on its hypogeic habitat are also brought in brief. As no egg-bearing females were observed in the cave throughout an entire year, it is assumed that the warm and sulfidic water pool is only a feeding ground and that the prawn reproduces in some as yet unknown underground cavities, with presumably more appropriate environmental conditions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The size structure of the commercially important rose shrimp, Parapenaeus longirostris, was compared between populations in the Sea of Marmara and the Aegean Sea. The analysis was based on data collected during trawl selectivity surveys carried out in November and December 2006. Growth showed no similar pattern, and in additions differences were found in length frequency distribution, sex ratio, and recruitment pattern of the P. longirostris populations in these two areas. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Bioluminescent behaviour of deep-sea decapods is difficult to study under long-term laboratory maintenance, because most deep-sea organisms suffer from high mortality in such conditions. The objective of the present study was to determine the survival of the deep-water pandalid shrimp, Heterocarpus sibogae De Man, 1917 and its ability to produce bioluminescence when maintained in the laboratory. H. sibogae exhibited bioluminescence by emitting two streams of blue luminous secretions from the mouth when disturbed. The luminous material decayed rapidly and disappeared in seconds. Shrimps retreated from the luminous region immediately after secretion, suggesting that bioluminescence is a defence response. Under laboratory conditions, H. sibogae can produce luminous secretions for at least 43 days of maintenance. Maximum emission time was recorded in a non-ovigerous female that reached 634 seconds. Males and non-ovigerous females showed a similar average emission time of about 30 seconds. Ovigerous females, however, produced significantly longer emissions with an average of 103 seconds, suggesting that these may contain larger amounts of the key chemical for bioluminescence, coelenterazine, than males and non-ovigerous females do. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The diet composition of the pandalid shrimp, Plesionika narval was determined, based on an analysis of two samples of 250 specimens each, collected in March and August 2004, respectively, in the Aegean Sea. Plesionika narval displayed a diversified diet, mainly based on Crustacea. The vacuity coefficient values and the stomach fullness percentages indicated a higher feeding activity of this species in March than in August. This is probably due to the accumulation of energy resources for the spawning period in March. P. narval seems to be an active predator but also an occasional scavenger, utilizing a wide variety of benthic resources. Multidimensional analyses demonstrated that the diets of P. narval in March and August were significantly different. Moreover, no significant differences were observed in the diet composition of males and females in the two groups of specimens studied. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A new caridean shrimp belonging to the genus Eualus Thallwitz, 1891 (Decapoda, Caridea, Hippolytidae) is described on the basis of specimens from the south-eastern Australian continental shelf. Eualus pectiniformis sp. nov. can be distinguished from its congeners in having a combination of: a short rostrum bearing three dorsal teeth and either none, or a single ventral tooth, a rounded pterygostomial angle, epipods on the maxillipeds as well as on the anterior three pereopods, merus of third to fourth pereopods of males possessing a row of comb-like spines on the distoventral margin, and the dactyli of the ambulatory legs armed with 5 spines on the posterior margin next to the apical spine. A rare hippolytid species, Lysmata morelandi (Yaldwyn, 1971) is also recorded for the first time in Australian waters. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A new species of freshwater amphipod, Gammarus izmirensis sp. nov., belonging to the Gammarus pulex-group, is described. Specimens have been collected from a stream in the Kemalpaşa district, İzmir province, western Anatolia. A detailed morphological description and illustrations of the new species are given. Differences between the new species and related species are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Callianopsis anovalis sp. nov. is described from a specimen collected by a deep-sea commercial trawler off northeastern Taiwan at around 300 m deep. The new species is unique in the genus by lacking a dorsal oval on the carapace. The genus Callianopsis De Saint Laurent, 1973 is recorded hereby for the first time in the western Pacific. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Morphogenesis and variations in biochemical composition of the eggs of the prawn, Macrobrachium nipponense were studied during embryonic development. Eight morphological stages were defined. These are: the fertilized egg, cleavage, blastula, gastrula, egg-nauplius, egg-metanauplius, protozoea, and zoea. The whole embryogenesis lasts about 25 days at a water temperature of 18-22°C. Proteins, lipids, and carbohydrates were the main components of the embryos. During early embryonic development, protein content generally increased while the contents of lipid and carbohydrate decreased. It is suggested that the proteins in the yolk were used mainly in structural growth, whereas the lipids and carbohydrates were mainly used as energy sources. Lipid content increased while protein content decreased in the protozoea stage, showing that lipid is an important structural substance and protein can be utilized as an energy source, especially in late embryonic stages. Variations in biochemical composition were closely related to events in morphogenesis during embryonic development. The embryonic developmental stages used in the present study may be applied to other embryonic developmental studies of Macrobrachium, and be applicable in other palaemonids as well. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, cod end mesh selectivity of braided polyethylene for the deep-water rose shrimp, Parapenaeus longirostris was investigated in the Aegean Sea. Fishing trials were carried out on the commercial trawler, "Hapuloğlu" between 9 and 12 December 2006. Data were collected by a diamond mesh cod end of the 1200 mesh trawl net commercially used. The mean mesh size of the cod end meshes (nominal 46 mm) was measured near to 50 mm by using a calliper rule. Selectivity data were collected by the covered cod end method and analysed by means of a logistic equation with the Maximum Likelihood method. The mean selectivity curves were estimated from the individual hauls that were fitted taking into account the variation between hauls. The 50% retention length and the selection range of combined (male + female) P. longirostris were estimated as 19.6 mm (carapace length) and 6.2 mm, respectively, and there was no significant difference between the L50 values of the male and female sexes (p < 0.05). Consequently, the cod end showed relatively better selectivity considering the size at 50% sexual maturity of the species, and the effect of increased mesh size and of the material used are of great importance in enhancing the size selectivity and reducing the amount of undersized P. longirostris caught in this fishery. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A new genus of marine Ostracoda, Neocopytus gen. nov. (Cytheroidea, Neocytherideidae) with as type species Cytherideis cylindrica Brady, 1868 is described from the Mediterranean coast of Turkey. Neocopytus gen. nov. has some characters in common with other neocytherideid genera, like Neocytherideis Puri, 1952 and Copytus Skogsberg, 1939, but there are evident differences in both carapace and soft parts. Un nouveau genre d'ostracode marin, Neocopytus gen. nov. (Cytheroidea, Neocytherideidae) ayant comme espèce-type Cytherideis cylindrica Brady, 1868, est décrit à partir de matériel en provenance de la côte méditerranéenne de la Turquie. Neocopytus gen. nov. possède quelques caractères en commun avec les autres genres de Neocytherideidae, Neocytherideis Puri, 1952 et Copytus Skogsberg, 1939, mais il y a des différences évidentes en ce qui concerne à la fois la carapace et les appendices. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Most studies of the reproductive period of shrimps are based on the percentage of mature females (PMF). The objective of this work was to determine the reproductive period of penaeid shrimp by applying an egg production index (EPI), combining fecundity, size structure, and density of mature females. We also intended to make a comparison with the PMF method. The months of maximum maturity obtained with PMF did not match those of the actual maximum egg production period. This is because PMF does not take into account the abundance, but rather the proportion of mature females. It is concluded that, in order to define the period of maturity of penaeid shrimp, we need at least three indices (fecundity, size structure, and density of mature females) as proposed here, and as comprised in the EPI. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The pandalid shrimp, Heterocarpus ensifer occurs on continental slopes over the eastern and western Atlantic, and over some portions of the Indian and Pacific oceans. Despite its wide distribution, studies on the biology of this species are scant. In particular, there is no information on morphometric relationships or reproductive issues from any western Atlantic population. Although the general morphology of males and females of H. ensifer appears similar, we hypothesized that size at the onset of sexual maturity (SOM) and sexual dimorphism of H. ensifer could be examined with morphometric analyses, using those body dimensions most commonly measured in shrimp: carapace length (CL), body length (BL), rostral length (RL), and body weight (BW). We examined 754 H. ensifer from the southern Gulf of Mexico. SOM, determined through sequential reduced major axis regressions of BL, RL, relative rostral length (RRL= RL/CL), and BW against CL, was 23-24 mm CL in females and 21-22 mm CL in males. These sizes closely matched those of the smallest ovigerous females and the smallest males with appendices masculinae. Juveniles of both sexes showed similar morphometry and allometries, but ontogenetic allometry and morphometric sexual dimorphism occurred after maturity. In particular, the positive relationship (with negative allometry) between RL and CL shown in juveniles was lost after SOM in females and changed to enantiometry in males, despite a wide dispersion of data. The rostral polymorphism may be related to the protracted, year-round reproductive activities of this Gulf of Mexico population. Morphometric techniques may be useful to compare populations of H. ensifer from disparate locations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the present paper, six Glyphocrangon species are reported from the South and East China seas including five species newly recorded for the Chinese seas, viz., G. caeca Wood-Mason & Alcock, 1891, G. fimbriata Komai & Takeuchi, 1994, G. juxtaculeata Chace, 1984, G. megalophthalma De Man, 1918, and G. robusta Komai, 2004. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Species composition and abundance of decapod crustaceans were studied in the waters off Geoje Island, located off the southeastern coast of Korea, using a shrimp beam trawl from November 2000 to October 2001. Water temperature above the sea bottom was lowest (<13°C) in March and highest (>25°C) in August. A total of 196,149 individuals of 41 species from 17 families and 3 suborders was observed. Shrimps (Macrura Natantia) accounted for 23 species, hermit crabs (Anomura) and crabs (Brachyura) for 7 and 11 species, respectively. Crangon hakodatei was the most abundant species both in terms of overall number and biomass. Total biomass showed three peaks during the study period. The first peak in January was due to C. hakodatei and Charybdis bimaculata. The second and third peak were due to C. hakodatei and Palaemon gravieri. Cluster analysis, based on monthly abundance data of the 12 dominant species, showed that the species could be separated into three different groups: resident, seasonal, and temporary. The decapod community structure in the study area was predominantly affected by the resident group. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The decapod crustacean community of the Sado estuary was sampled monthly, between May 2001 and April 2002, using a 4 m beam trawl with 10 mm mesh size. The assemblage was composed of 33 species (9 Natantia and 24 species of Reptantia). Only 5 species (Crangon crangon, Macropodia rostrata, Pilumnus hirtellus, Carcinus maenas, and Liocarcinus navigator) were present in more than 40% of the samples. Few species dominated the community: C. crangon and C. maenas were the most important species in numbers (accounting for 63% and 17% of the total number of individuals, respectively), while C. maenas, Maja brachydactyla, and C. crangon dominated in biomass (73%, 9%, and 8%, respectively). A marked spatial and seasonal pattern was noticed: the inner areas, with shallower depth, less water transparency, and lower salinity, presented a high abundance of C. crangon, while in the outer areas a more diverse assemblage was found. In spring and summer, species richness increased, mainly in the lower estuary. The dominant species Crangon crangon and Carcinus maenas were more abundant in winter. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The bopyrid, Probopyrus pandalicola, infects grass shrimp, Palaemonetes pugio, and negatively affects shrimp respiration and metabolic activity, prevents reproductive output, and reduces shrimp activity. Our objective was to determine whether grass shrimp maintained tidal rhythmicity in the laboratory and whether the bopyrid parasite affected tide-related grass shrimp activity levels. Five bopyrid-parasitized and five unparasitized shrimp were selected, and examined for sex, length, and for number of trematode cysts (to exclude any effect of that parasite). The shrimp were randomly placed in individual static aquaria with sand substrate and filtered seawater, and tanks were separated by opaque dividers. Shrimp were maintained on an ambient photoperiod (14.5-h day) and observed for activity every three hours (corresponding with high, ebb, low, and flood water) for two tidal cycles. Tidal stage had a significant effect on shrimp activity with the maximum number of shrimp (71%) resting at flood and the minimum (16%) at ebb (n = 10 trials). There was a significant effect of light and tide-light interaction on shrimp activity with the greatest activity at night, particularly during nighttime-ebb. Because shrimp were most active during ebb, they may be more susceptible to predation by visual predators in the water column at that time. Bopyrid infection did not significantly influence shrimp activity, and thus was not the primary factor affecting shrimp activity in the first 30 h after collection. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Two new species of Synalpheus Bate, 1888 are described for the Gulf of California, Mexico, in the eastern Pacific. Synalpheus wickstenae new species, and S. stylopleuron new species, belong to the paulsoni group as defined by Coutière (1909) and are morphologically closest to S. sanjosei Coutière, 1909, and S. superus Abele & Kim, 1989. These new species are distinguished by a series of characters mostly related with the shape and position of rostrum and occular teeth, the relative length and length/width ratio of the rostrum, the proportion between cephalic appendages, the presence/absence of a dorsal spine on the palm of the minor cheliped, the proportion of dactylus and propodus of the third pereiopods, and the shape of the first abdominal pleura in males. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The distribution of decapod crustaceans on soft substrata was studied at two sites, Montalto di Castro and Gulf of Gaeta, in the central Mediterranean Sea (Tyrrhenian Sea). In the whole area, a total of 16 species of decapods (6 Natantia, Caridea; 4 Reptantia Macrura, Thalassinidea; 2 Anomura; and 4 Brachyura) were collected by a Van Veen grab. The decapod distribution seems to be influenced by granulometric composition rather than by depth. Some species demonstrated an affinity for a substratum that differs with respect to published literature records. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The pontoniine shrimp, Periclimenes adularans Bruce, 2003, previously known only by its type specimens from Australia, is recorded on the basis of some recently collected specimens from the East China Sea coast of Kyushu and the Ryukyu Islands, Japan as well as from the southwestern coast of Taiwan. The species' coloration in life is reported for the first time. Although the host species of P. adularans has not previously been recorded, the present study shows that this shrimp is associated with sea anemones, viz., Cerianthus filiformis Carlgren, 1922 and Megalactis hemprichii Ehrenberg, 1834. Supplementary morphological information on P. adularans is also given. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Studies the diet and feeding habits of the sand shrimp, Crangon uritai in the Japanese Central Seto Inland Sea. Indication of epibenthic crustaceans as the primary portion of dietary items consumed by C. uritai; Variation in dietary composition of Crangon uritai stomach contents among different size classes; Increase in feeding activity during daytime and shift in major food items depending on habitat and prey availability.

Two specimens of the caridean family Oplophoridae are reported from dredging activity on the recently discovered hydrothermal vent fields of the Arctic Ocean's ultra-slow-spreading Gakkel Ridge. This is the first report of any decapod crustacean from Arctic Ocean vents and the first record of this species (Hymenodora glacialis (Buchholz, 1874)) from the vicinity of marine hydrothermal vents. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The medium size Pacific lobsterette, Nephropsis occidentalis Faxon, 1893, is known from only a few records in the east Pacific (Gulf of California to Chile). A recent survey of deep-water benthic communities in the S.E. Gulf of California, Mexico, indicates that it is abundant at depths between 1050 and 1310 m and is tolerant to severe hypoxic conditions (0.38 to 1.4 ml O2/l, with six catches in less than 1 ml/l). Maximum individual size (135 mm, total length) and body weight (31.2 g) are relatively low compared to shallow water commercial shrimps fished in the region, but the species represents a potential by-catch fishery of the pandalid shrimps Heterocarpus affinis Faxon, 1893 and Pandalus amplus Bate, 1886. Sex ratio (n = 46) F : M was 0.6 : 1. The carapace/total length relationship was significantly different between sexes, while fresh weight/total length relationship was not (t-test on slope and Y intercepts; 0.95). The largest specimens (135 mm TL) barely reach 30 g (29.9 g for the largest male; 31.6 g for the largest female) of fresh weight (30-35 large size specimens per kg of fresh product). Tail weight with carapace is slightly lower than 9 g of fresh weight for the largest specimens (average of 36.5% of total fresh weight). Tail weight without carapace is in the range of 4.5 to 5.6 g for larger specimens. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Focuses on a study which documented the variation in adult size, fecundity, and egg size of three species of Macrobrachium within the Huitzilapan river, Veracruz, Mexico, according to several environmental and temporal factors. Materials and methods; Results; Discussion.

Presents abstracts of several studies which appeared in Vol. 52, 1987 issue of 'Crustaceana.' 'Reproductive Strategies and Comparative Fecundity of Crangon Septemspinosa Say (Decapoda, Caridea),' by Susan Corey; 'A New Species of the Genus Anisomysis from the Great Barrier Reef (Mysidacea),' by Masaaki Murano; 'Characteristics of Bacteria Isolated from Penaeid Shrimp,' by Amy Claire Dempsey.

Presents abstracts of several studies which appeared in Vol. 53, 1987 issue of 'Crustaceana.' 'On a New Species of a Freshwater Shrimp (Decapoda, Atyidae) From the Shatt Al-Arab River, Iraq,' by A.H.Y. Al-Adhub; 'Humidity Reactions and Aggregation in Woodlice (Isopoda, Oniscoidea),' by J.L. Cloudsley-Thompson, C. Constantinou; 'Dimorphism and the Life Cycle of Austropotamobius Pallipes (Lereboullet, 1858),' by W.J. Thomas and R.W. Ingle.