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In this study, we report the first occurrence of Callinectes sapidus in the rivers of 'Oued Tani' (Martil) and 'Oued Negro' (Fnideq), based on 127 individuals of the blue crab caught from November 2022 to August 2023. Additionally, we were able to determine the potential consequences of C. sapidus on the indigenous species as well as the socioeconomic implications on artisanal fisheries activities. This research highlights further data that reinforces recent findings on recorded blue crab from various locations along the Moroccan coastline. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The mantis shrimp Rissoides pallidus (Giesbrecht, 1910) is a rarely reported crustacean species in the central Mediterranean Sea. In December 2020, during a trawl survey off Mazara del Vallo harbor (Strait of Sicily), two specimens of R. pallidus were captured on coastal detritus and coastal terrigenous mud bottoms at about 132 and 152 m depths. Additional information specific to biometrics, bottom types, depth preference, habitats, and geographic distribution of this crustacean species are provided. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Niphargus carolinensis sp. nov. was sampled from the Carolina Mine located in North Rhine–Westphalia, Germany. The new species is described and compared to phylogenetically related species and species identified in nearby locations. The three phylogenetic markers (i.e., COI, 28S rRNA and ITS2) studied in the examined specimens had different sequences compared to those belonging to species present in locations neighboring the Carolina Mine, i.e., in a radius of 40 km. N. carolinensis sp. nov. is a small-to-medium-sized species that is poorly setose; has a relatively short antenna I, trapezoidal gnathopod propodites, long pereopod VI, and short uropod III; and is not differentiated sexually. The new species described herein is a case of narrow endemism and adds to the diversity of the genus Niphargus in Germany. This work is a contribution to knowledge on groundwater amphipod diversity and the systematics of the genus Niphargus close to the northern border of the distribution of this genus. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Twenty-one specimens of Portunus sp. first crab were obtained from plankton samples collected from the Obhur Creek, Central Red Sea, Saudi Arabia. These specimens have been morphologically described herein. The setal patterns of the first crabs of the present specimens were compared with those of the first crabs of P. sanguinolentus. Presence of two to three rows of setae on the coxa of maxillule and coxa and basial of the first maxilliped are found in both the species of Portunus first crabs compared herein. These features seem to be taxonomically significant as these features are found in one of the other genera of Portunidae – Thalamita. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Graphical abstract Highlights • We explored lineage diversity and regional distribution of Moina in China. • Four Moina species complexes with eleven mtDNA lineages occurred across China. • Discordance between mtDNA and nuclear ITS-1 phylogenies of Moina was detected. • An mtDNA phylogeny showed apparent paraphyly in two Moina taxa. Abstract The distribution and genetic diversity of freshwater zooplankton is understudied in the Eastern Palearctic. Here, we explored the lineage diversity and regional distribution of the genus Moina in China. Members of this genus are often keystone components of freshwater ecosystems and have been frequently subjected to toxicological and physiological studies. Four species of Moina were identified, based on morphology, in 50 of 113 Chinese water bodies examined, and their phylogenetic position was analyzed using both a mitochondrial (mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase subunit I; COI) and a nuclear marker (the nuclear internal transcribed spacer; ITS-1). Both molecular markers identified four clades corresponding broadly to the morphological species. Mitochondrial DNA analysis showed the presence of four species complexes with eleven lineages across China, five of which were new. However, some lineages (and even individual haplotypes) were widespread in Eurasia, suggesting an ability to disperse over long distances. In contrast, a few lineages exhibited restricted distributions. The nuclear phylogeny also recognized four species of Moina within China and seven very distinct clades. Interestingly, one specimen possessing Moina cf. micrura mtDNA had ITS-1 alleles of the M. cf. brachiata clade. This discordance between mtDNA and nuclear ITS-1 phylogenies is indicative of interspecific introgression and hybridization. Additionally, our COI phylogeny showed apparent paraphyly in two Moina species groups, suggesting introgression of their mitochondrial genomes. Our data shows the regional distribution/diversity of the Moina species complex in a Eurasian context. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article presents a study regarding the occurrence of the pea crab (Pinnotheres pisum) in the Canary Islands. Topics include an ovigerous female pea crab inside a cardiid bivalve, DNA sequence of bivalve Fulvia fragilis identified through DNA barcoding, and geographic distribution of Pinnotheres pisum.

Temporal patterns of interspecific interactions and their correspondence with life history events are of key significance for community dynamics, but often overlooked in characterising the mechanisms of species invasions and predicting competitive outcomes. Here, we examine the role of seasonality in moderating interactions between a globally important invasive mysid shrimp (Hemimysis anomala) and an ecologically similar native species (Mysis salemaai) by combining distribution and diet surveys with experimental quantification of comparative resource exploitation rates and mutual aggressive interactions. We found partial overlap in winter, but not summer horizontal distributions of the two species. Diets were highly similar in the seasonally overlapping range, potentially resulting in competition for the high-quality, but seasonally scarce, zooplankton prey in invaded lakes. Despite its smaller size, H. anomala had similar feeding rates to M. salemaai on three key zooplankton prey species. H. anomala was more aggressive toward M. salemaai than M. salemaai was toward H. anomala, although there was no evidence for intraguild predation. Our findings indicate that spatio-temporal niche partitioning permitted invasion by H. anomala and coexistence with M. salemaai, in spite of their high trophic similarity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Caridina pseudodenticulata is a land-locked freshwater shrimp, which is endemic to North and West Taiwan. It is listed as Vulnerable under criteria A1ce in the IUCN Red List. Our study used mitochondrial DNA fragment sequences of the cytochrome oxidase subunit I (COI) gene to examine its genetic structure. In total, 204 sequences were analyzed from 22 populations, and all 39 haplotypes were identified. Our study (1) found that the genetic diversity within population of this species was similar to that of other land-locked freshwater prawn in Taiwan; (2) displayed that during glaciation, the Taiwan Strait was largely above water, an event which created opportunities for colonization Taiwan and dispersal widely; (3) showed that although the phylogenetic analysis showed the lack of a population genetic structure, the AMOVA and haplotypes distribution pattern revealed geographically divided; (4) indicated that C. pseudodenticulata could across to neighbor rivers through the mouths of rivers, which confluent with each other during floods. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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This work presents a detailed taxonomic study on the marine ostracods from the Paraíba Basin, northeastern Brazil, in wells from the wells Itamaracá-1IT-03-PE and Poty-1PO-01-PE, which record the Maastrichtian–Danian boundary. Besides the taxonomic data, this paper contributes to the paleoenvironmental knowledge of Cretaceous–Paleogene ostracods from the Paraíba Basin. The analysis of 98 samples of the well Itamaracá-1IT-03-PE and 59 samples of the Poty-1PO-01-PE resulted in the record of 34 ostracode species, all representative of a marine environment with normal salinity. Seven new species are proposed: Cytherella centrocompressa sp. nov.; Cytherella paraibensis sp. nov.; Neonesidea potyensis sp. nov.; Bythoceratina spinosa sp. nov.; Eucytherura ventrotuberculata sp. nov.; Langiella fauthi sp. nov. and Protobuntonia punctatum sp. nov. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Squat lobsters are prevalent in chemosynthetic environments but have been insufficiently studied in mud volcano habitats. An abyssal species, Munidopsis taiwanica Osawa, Lin & Chan, 2008 was recently collected in a mud volcano field in the Mariana Trench at a depth greater than 5000 m, which represents a new distributional record. Its diagnostic characters are presented in this study. In-situ observation suggested that M. taiwanica was closely associated with this chemosynthetic environment and probably exhibited camouflage behaviour by attaching seafloor sediments onto its body. Munidopsis taiwanica is the first confirmed species of squat lobster found in the mud volcano environment, and currently represents the deepest record (5491 m) of squat lobsters in the world. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The marine fauna of decapod Crustacea, in all its diversity, can be negatively affected as a result of environmental changes, both on a local or a global scale. The present study aims to report the existence of Cyrtograpsus angulatus Dana, 1851, on the northern Patagonian coast, while concurrently describing some other decapod species associated with the various habitats. C. angulatus was originally described from the Chilean coast north of 36°43′S, and the present study revealed its presence down to 44°S. In the estuaries investigated, C. angulatus is the exclusive decapod species, whereas in coastal zones it can coexist with other species of marine decapods. Nevertheless, according to the null model of the co-occurrence of species, the species associations tested did not show any structured pattern. Some ecological and biogeographical patterns in relation to this species and its biocoenoses are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We present an updated checklist of the Diaptomidae of China, based on a literature review and on original field data from all over China during 2012-2016. A total of 19 genera and 56 species have been recorded. Neutrodiaptomus has the highest species richness (10 species), followed by Arctodiaptomus (9 species). Only one species each of Eudiaptomus, Mixodiaptomus, Eodiaptomus, Dentodiaptomus, Dolodiaptomus, Allodiaptomus, Karstodiaptomus, Metadiaptomus and Paradiaptomus was found. The taxonomic status of 16 species was revised: one wrongly attributed genus, Argyrodiaptomus, was corrected to Sinodiaptomus. First records for China include Arctodiaptomus parvispineus and one new cave-dwelling genus, Karstodiaptomus, is added. One Latin name from Shen & Sung’s book (1979) is corrected. Remarks on nomenclature and taxonomic issues are supplemented with information on the geographical distribution of the various species within China. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Information concerning Neastacilla californica is currently scarce. In fact, its distribution range is not yet well defined; this species is currently reported from Point Conception to Point Loma along the California coast, USA, and also in the Gulf of California, Mexico. In this note, we present a new zoogeographical record of N. californica with information derived from a sample of taken in July 2012 during a monitoring expedition in the area inside of the Guerrero Negro Lagoon, at Peninsula de Baja California, Mexico, at 4.3 latitudinal degrees from the southernmost point reported on the Pacific coast. Additionally, we present a comparative summary of the main diagnostic features of this species and a series of photographs that allow observing characteristics of N. californica, contributing to the knowledge of the species. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, the population genetic structure and historical demography of the blue swimming crab,Portunus pelagicus, from southeastern sea of China were investigated using cytochromecoxidase subunit I (COI) gene of mitochondrion. A total of 889 bp segment of COI gene was sequenced, which showed a high haplotype diversity (0.6833–0.8142) and low nucleotide diversity (0.0021–0.0034). Among 30 haplotypes defined in this study, one (H1) was the most dominant (47.7%) and shared by each locality, while the majority (23) were rare and only existed in one individual. The AMOVA analysis revealed a limited population genetic structure, which suggested a high level of gene flow along the distribution areas of China. This conclusion was supported by the pairwiseFSTcomparison values. The topology of the neighbour-joining tree constructed using 30 haplotypes from four localities presented two distinct clades (clade A and clade B). Meanwhile, three sequences ofP. pelagicusdownloaded from NCBI database showed a high-level divergence with the individuals collected in our study, which might form a new cryptical species. The individuals of clade B were cryptically embedded in the whole population, with a low frequency (7.7–24.2%), while clade A accounted for 75.8–92.3%. Neutrality tests and mismatch analyses suggested a late Pleistocene population expansion for both clade A (47,000–66,000 years ago) and clade B (74,000–100,000 years ago). This study should provide insight into phylogeny, population genetic structure, conservation genetics, and sustainable management ofP. pelagicus. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The signal crayfish Pacifastacus leniusculus, native to northwestern North America, has become the most widespread invasive crayfish species in Europe. It has been introduced repeatedly since 1959, and altogether >60,000 individuals were imported. Secondary introductions across the continent followed, resulting in its current presence in =26 European countries. Recent studies indicate that multiple highly divergent lineages of signal crayfish exist in its North American range, and previous investigators have suggested that >1 signal crayfish subspecies are present in Europe. We investigated its genetic variation by sequencing a fragment of the mitochondrial gene for cytochrome c oxidase subunit I (COI) to clarify the diversity of this invasive species in its European range. We analyzed 348 signal crayfish from 68 European populations and compared the resulting patterns with reference sequences from North America. All European individuals studied fell within 1 clade of P. leniusculus, but we observed substantial variation at the analyzed marker. Altogether, we recorded 27 COI haplotypes (4 very widespread) in Europe, but no clear distributional pattern of these haplotypes corresponds to numerous secondary introductions across Europe. Maximum pairwise divergence at COI among haplotypes detected in Europe was up to 4%. Such extent of genetic variation should be considered when developing and validating species-specific DNAbased probes for environmental detection of this invasive species because mitochondrial genes (and COI in particular) are often the markers of choice for this purpose. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Outbreaks of diseases have been reported from a number of ecologically or commercially important crustaceans in tropical, temperature, and boreal waters. The etiology of a disease is often unknown prior to these outbreaks and the effect of the pathogen on the host population is poorly understood. Various techniques can be used to collect, identify, and monitor host populations for pathogens. These include classical methods, such as visual or histological assessment, to more refined techniques, such as simple and quantitative polymerase chain reaction assays. The strengths and weaknesses of the different methods are presented as well as some general guidelines for managing data associated with disease surveys in conjunction with field collections. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Ponto-Caspian amphipod Chelicorophium curvispinum (G.O. Sars, 1895) was first recorded in the Baltic Sea catchment area in the early 20th century. Since then the species has considerably extended its distribution. Here, we present the first record of the invasive amphipod in Sweden (Drottingholm, Lake Mälaren, SE Sweden). It is plausible that C. curvispinum was initially introduced via shipping to the brackish waters of the Stockholm Archipelago. National ferry traffic may have provided a subsequent means of transport for this species from Stockholm centrum to Lake Mälaren. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The invasive blue crab Callinectes sapidus has been largely distributed along the Adriatic coast of Albania during the recent years. The aim of the present study is to provide data on the distribution, assessment of the abundance, the structure and biometric characteristics of the 'blue crab population in Viluni Lagoon. The data presented in this paper has been collected during 2014 - 2015. Besides direct observation and samples, collection in the studied area, questionnaires have also been distributed to the local fishermen with the purpose of gathering information about the presence of the blue crab, assessment of its state and its possible impact on the other populations in the Viluni Lagoon, as this species seems to be already established in this lagoon. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Biological invasions are worldwide phenomena that have reached alarming levels among aquatic species. There are key challenges to understand the factors behind invasion propensity of non-native populations in invasion biology. Interestingly, interpretations cannot be expanded to higher taxonomic levels due to the fact that in the same genus, there are species that are notorious invaders and those that never spread outside their native range. Such variation in invasion propensity offers the possibility to explore, at fine-scale taxonomic level, the existence of specific characteristics that might predict the variability in invasion success. In this work, we explored this possibility from a molecular perspective. The objective was to provide a better understanding of the genetic diversity distribution in the native range of species that exhibit contrasting invasive propensities. For this purpose, we used a total of 784 sequences of the cytochrome c oxidase subunit I of mitochondrial DNA (mt DNA- COI) collected from seven Gammaroidea, a superfamily of Amphipoda that includes species that are both successful invaders ( Gammarus tigrinus, Pontogammarus maeoticus, and Obesogammarus crassus) and strictly restricted to their native regions ( Gammarus locusta, Gammarus salinus, Gammarus zaddachi, and Gammarus oceanicus). Despite that genetic diversity did not differ between invasive and non-invasive species, we observed that populations of non-invasive species showed a higher degree of genetic differentiation. Furthermore, we found that both geographic and evolutionary distances might explain genetic differentiation in both non-native and native ranges. This suggests that the lack of population genetic structure may facilitate the distribution of mutations that despite arising in the native range may be beneficial in invasive ranges. The fact that evolutionary distances explained genetic differentiation more often than geographic distances points toward that deep lineage divergence holds an important role in the distribution of neutral genetic diversity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Quantitative sampling during the POS397 GroMet expedition in 2010 allowed analysis of the community structure of Zosimeidae on the Great Meteor Seamount (GMS) plateau. Twelve species ofZosimeBoeck, 1873 were identified; 11 were recorded in the middle, nine in the northern, and 10 in the southern region. Similarity and diversity analyses showed no differences in community structure between these regions. The community seemed unaffected by geographical features; similarities between regions could reflect the uniform sediment structure and the complex water current system.Zosimecan be characterised as monophyletic, due to the apomorphic one-segmented endopod of the mandible, armed with at most four setae. Two new species are described.Zosime carstenisp. nov. (incrassatagroup) is defined by blunt spinules on the outer spines of exopods 1–3 of pereiopods 2–4 and the spinose nature of the innermost distal element of endopod 3 of pereiopods 1–4.Zosime eliasisp. nov. (typicagroup) is defined by a flexible outer seta on the maxillipedal endopod. As both species bear an eight-segmented antennule (most plesiomorphic condition known so far), the recently erectedanneaegroup is included into thetypicagroup. An updated key ofZosimeat the species level is given. www.zoobank.org/urn:lsid:zoobank.org:pub:0BA28922-C575-4AAD-AD64-FDDBA22C34CC [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Since its first sighting in 2012 in Haifa Bay, Israel, the population of the Indo-Pacific moon crab,Matuta victor, has increased greatly along the Israeli littoral and spread to Lebanon and the Mediterranean coast of Turkey. To examine possible interactions with the Levantine nearshore psammophilic community, the crab’s feeding behaviour was observedin situand the foregut contents of 69 specimens collected in December 2015 and June 2016 were analysed. Its omnivorous diet was confirmed and previously unknown intraspecific competitive feeding behaviour is reported. The agonistic behaviour may denote behavioural flexibility that enables the crabs to colonize and persist in a depauperate novel habitat. Site-specific disturbance regimen related to human activities seems to have had a critical role in driving the rapid population increase. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A nonlinear thermodynamic Sharpe-Schoolfield-Ikemoto (SSI) model has been applied to temperature-dependent development of some arthropods and other ectotherms. The most important parameter estimated by the SSI model is the intrinsic optimum temperature (Φ), which is the temperature at which the probability of an enzyme being in its active state is maximal. It has been also suggested that Φ authentically represents the optimal ambient temperature for fitness in ectotherms. We applied the SSI model to larvae of four aquatic decapod crustacean species distributed in cold, temperate, and tropical waters for understanding thermal adaptation in decapods. As a result, TΦ's estimates for the larvae corresponded to the optimum temperatures for larval survival/growth. The estimates also changed in accordance with the geographical distribution of the stages, species, and populations studied, i.e., 6.91-9.06 °C for cold-water species and 19.68-27.00 °C for temperate and tropical species. It would be useful to examine the relationship between changes in geographical distribution with temperature Φ and population size for a better understanding of population fluctuations under global climate change. Additionally, stable aquaculture production could be enhanced if the temperature conditions of each life history stage were controlled at Φ. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Parasitic plants growing on tree branches may be a novel niche and phytoresource for arthropods. The spatial continuity between hosts and their parasites in canopies might provide a homogeneous environment for arthropod communities, but differences in mistletoe leaves and host needles could be exploited by different species of arthropods. Therefore, it is important to determine insect-community assemblages in order to discover the role of parasitic plants as a different habitat for arthropods. Thus, we aim to evaluate the level of similarity between the arthropod community on mistletoe (Viscum album) and that on its two principal pine hosts, Black pine (Pinus nigra) and Scots pine (P. sylvestris), on a Mediterranean mountain. Our results reveal that, irrespective of the species of pine host, V. album has a stable, independent and simple arthropod trophic web, composed mainly of two specialist hemipteran herbivores, Cacopsylla visci (Psyllidae) and Pinalitus viscicola (Miridae), and a hemipteran predator, Anthocoris visci (Anthocoridae). Despite this, the composition of the arthropod communities differed significantly on both host species, with a greater richness and diversity on Scots than Black pine and these differences are not reflected in the community on mistletoe. Overall, we conclude that, although Viscum album is considered to be a pest of pine, its presence increases the heterogeneity of the forest canopy by providing a novel habitat for a new and specific community of arthropods. In addition, this is a new record for and most probably an extension of the southernmost limit of the known geographical distribution of the arthropod community inhabiting V. album. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Increasing colonization of non-native amphipod species in the River Thames, United Kingdom, has altered aquatic ecology and called existing management practices into question. We studied the distribution patterns of recent non-native (Dikerogammarus haemobaphes (Eichwald, 1841)), established non-native (Crangonyx pseudogracilis (Bousfield, 1958)), and native amphipod (Gammarus pulex (Linnaeus, 1758)) species, as well as habitat and human influences across 84 sites in the upper Thames catchment. Our findings showed widespread distribution and density of G. pulex relative to D. haemobaphes, suggesting that the full impact of the current spread has yet to be felt since its 2012 introduction. Different habitat utilization patterns are explained through habitat partitioning: both D. haemobaphes and C. pseudogracilis occupied vegetative habitats, not pebble/gravel habitats where the native G. pulex was most often found. The association between D. haemobaphes and boating presence implies that effective biosecurity would be best focused on boat traffic in the Thames and Cherwell rivers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The genusAndrodelosciaincludes 24 Neotropical species distributed in Central and South America. This study describes the new speciesAndrodeloscia colombianasp. nov. from El Chorro, Soplaviento, and from the Botanical Garden Guillermo Piñeres, Turbaco, Bolívar, Colombia. This is the first record of the genus in Colombia. http://zoobank.org/urn:lsid:zoobank.org:pub:AEA56E26-1F6D-4DDA-BA02-D73DE9FAD198 [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The morphometric variation among several populations of Astacus astacus from different regions of the Balkan Peninsula was studied based on a large set of morphometric parameters per crayfish. Differences in morphometry among populations from ten water bodies in Serbia, Slovenia and Albania were tested using a multiple discriminant analysis. Analyses included twenty-two morphometric parameters per crayfish. The most discriminant characteristics for separating males among populations were weight, head width (HEW), width of the carapace at the hind edges (CEW) and claw length (CLL), and for female populations those were abdomen length (ABL), rostrum width (ROW), total length (TL), claw length (CLL) and claw width (CLW). Our results improve the existing knowledge about the noble crayfish morphology, show clear differentiation between populations from various aquatic ecosystems and reflect geographical separation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The taxonomy of the freshwater shrimps Caridina (Atyidae) is very complex and confused mostly because the morphological characters that have traditionally been used for species delimitation and identification are highly plastic. There is thus a need for an integrative approach to their taxonomy. In total, 42 specimens belonging to either Caridina buehleri Roux, 1934 or Caridina gueryi Marquet, Keith&Kalfatak, 2009 were examined.Wecombined here morphological data from 12 specimens from the whole distributional range of the species, including type specimens with 16S mtDNA analyses from seven freshly sampled specimens, to verify the specific status of Caridina buehleri from Papua New-Guinea, Central Sulawesi, Western Samoa and the Solomon Islands, and C. gueryi from Vanuatu. The comparison of 24 morphological characters showed that morphological variations of character traits between C. gueryi and C. buehleri are widely overlapping and that no morphological feature can effectively split specimens into two clear groups. Molecular characters corroborated these results, as specimens from both groups were only separated by a 2% p-distance, a genetic distance that is coherent with their potentially high dispersal abilities. We thus consider C. gueryi as a junior synonym of C. buehleri. Finally, C. buehleri is characterised mainly by a styliform and characteristically indented rostrum and a long stylocerite. Detailed re-descriptions of the type specimens of C. buehleri and C. gueryi are given, as well as their geographical and ecological distribution. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Uncatalogued fossil crabs from Antigua and Bermuda deposited in the Department of Paleobiology, Smithsonian Institution, National Museum of Natural History (USNM) includes the remains of the hermit crab Coenobita Latreille, 1829 and the land crabs Gecarcinus Leach, 1814 and Cardisoma Latreille, in Latreille, Le Peletier, Serville & Guérin, 1828. Fossil remains of terrestrial crabs are uncommon in the fossil record due to a number of preservation biases, thus, even isolated or fragmentary, their fossils aid in our understanding of the evolution and geographic distribution of these taxa through time. The remains of Cardisoma and presumably Gecarcinus from the late Pleistocene of Bermuda represent the first record of fossil crustaceans from the island, and one of the only fossil records of the genera known to date, whereas the fossil hermit crab remains from the Holocene of Antigua represent the second record of fossil Coenobita worldwide. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Hermit crabs of the family Coenobitidae comprise the land hermit crabs, with 16 Coenobita species, and the coconut crab Birgus latro. They are terrestrial but spend their marine life as planktonic larvae. Some coenobitid crabs are widely distributed in the Indo-West Pacific region, and some species occupy narrower ranges. To improve our knowledge of coenobitid crab speciation and geographical distribution patterns, we examined the phylogenetic relationship between Coenobita purpureus, which has a narrow distribution in the Northwestern Pacific, and its more widely distributed coenobitids including B. latro, Coenobita brevimanus, Coenobita cavipes, Coenobita perlatus, Coenobita rugosus and Coenobita violascens based on the mtDNA cytochrome c oxidase subunit I (COI) and 16S rDNA genes. We also assessed the phylogeography of Co. purpureus populations based on the COI gene. Our phylogenetic and phylogeographical analyses revealed that (i) Co. purpureus clustered with Co. rugosus and (ii) the Co. purpureus population in the Ogasawara Islands was genetically distinct from those in other regions, which showed genetic panmixia. It has been hypothesized that Co. purpureus evolved in the isolated landmasses of the Ryukyu region during the Pliocene, and that its population expanded and colonized the Ogasawara Islands in the late Pleistocene. Further phylogeographical studies on Coenobita species with relatively narrow distributions coupled with characterization of their phylogenetic relationships with widely distributed congeners will advance our knowledge of the speciation and geographical distribution history of coenobitid crabs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The acorn barnacle is a sessile crustacean, inhabiting the intertidal areas of tropical and temperate regions worldwide. According to current practices on Cirripedia morphology, shell, opercular valves, and arthropodal characters including cirri and mouthparts are used as a tool for taxonomic classification, and using these characteristics the present study aimed to provide better resolution for the barnacle diversity and geographical distribution within coastlines of Thailand: the Andaman Sea and the Gulf of Thailand. A total of ten species belonging to three families (Chthamalidae, Tetraclitidae, and Balanidae) were identified in this study. Subsequently, five species were newly recorded for the first time from Thailand's coasts: Newmanella spinosus Chan & Cheang, 2016, Euraphia hembeli Conrad, 1837, Euraphia depressa (Poli, 1795), Tetraclita kuroshioensis Chan, Tsang & Chu, 2007, and Tetraclita singaporensis Chan, Tsang & Chu, 2007. The others, already mentioned in previous records, include: Tetraclita squamosa (Bruguière, 1789), Chthamalus malayensis Pilsbry, 1916, Amphibalanus amphitrite (Darwin, 1854), Amphibalanus reticulatus (Utinomi, 1967), and Megabalanus tintinnabulum (Linnaeus, 1758). Interestingly, acorn barnacles along the Andaman Sea occur abundantly, and are much higher in number of species (up to 8 species) than those found in the Gulf of Thailand's coast (up to 6 species). This biased trend of species' preferences is possibly due to the differences in oceanographic nature between two coastlines and the history of barnacle colonization. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cladocera (Crustacea: Branchiopoda) biodiversity was examined in sediment assemblages in La Tembladera Lake, on the southern coast of Ecuador. We found remains from 14 Cladocera taxa belonging to three families: Sididae, Daphnidae and Chydoridae. One taxon is planktonic (Ceriodaphnia spp.) and 13 taxa are littoral (Sarsilatona serricauda, Chydorus sp., Dunhevenia sp., Leberis sp., Alona sp., Magnospina dentifera, Kurzia sp., Acroperus tupinamba, Camptocercus sp., Oxyurella longicaudis, Leydigiopsis sp., Euryalona sp. and Notoalona cf. sculpta). Descriptions and pictures of the remains were included in this article to help palaeolimnologists identify tropical cladoceran remains in the sediment. These results enlarge the crustacean biodiversity data for dry tropical forests in South America and help to constrain our understanding of their geographical distribution. Further studies should focus on capturing living cladocerans to make identifications at the species level and to help interpret the sedimentary signal using ecological data. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This is a compendium of current knowledge about the crustacean subclass Branchiura Thorell, 1864. An overview of the group is presented, starting from the first species description, and reports of taxonomic changes. It also provides a condensed retrospect of each genus and includes the characteristics of each genus, the geographical distribution of each species arranged according to occurrence per continent; and aspects of the anatomy, physiology, host-parasite interactions and phylogeny are discussed. In order to condense the information available on members of the subclass, additional literature sources on each aspect are tabulated. The species lists provided by the World Register of Marine Species (WoRMS) were used as a starting point as these were the most comprehensive currently available. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study analyzed the crustacean diversity, distribution and relationship with environmental factors in the western and the southern Portuguese continental shelf, between 10 and 200 m depth. A total of 10,639 specimens belonging to 242 taxa from 90 families were identified, mostly amphipods (55.8% of the total taxa). The mysid Gastrosaccus spinifer and the amphipods Socarnes erythrophthalmus and Cheirocratus sundevallii were the most abundant and the amphipods Ampelisca brevicornis , Leucothoe incisa and Autonoe spiniventris were the most frequent species. The highest abundance and diversity was found in coarser sediments with up to 306 individuals per 0.1 m 2 . Alpha diversity ranged from 1 to 28 sp./0.1 m 2 . Moreover, this study confirmed six previously doubtful first records and added an additional 19 new records to the Portuguese fauna. The results also confirmed the Portuguese coast as a transition zone of mixed Atlantic and Mediterranean faunas and exposed a noticeable North African and Macaronesian influence. A multivariate analysis based on the abundance of crustaceans revealed six affinity groups characterized by: (a) C . sundevallii , Guernea ( Guernea ) coalita and Sarsinebalia cristoboi on very coarse sands; (b) G . spinifer , Nototropis falcatus and Pontocrates arenarius on coarse sands; (c) Othomaera othonis , Processa modica modica and Animoceradocus semiserratus on heterogeneous medium sands; (d) A . brevicornis , Urothoe pulchella and Necalianassa truncata on fine sands; (e) Ampelisca pectenata , Bodotria scorpioides and Astacilla dilatata on heterogeneous fine sands and (f) Callianassa subterranea , Ampelisca tenuicornis and Ampelisca typica on muddy fine sands. Sediment grain-size and depth were the variables best related to the benthic crustacean spatial distribution patterns along the Portuguese continental shelf. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The deep-sea crab Chaceon notialis is distributed along the continental shelf and slope of the SW Atlantic Ocean, mainly in Uruguayan waters, supporting a male-only fishery of high commercial value since 1993. A long-term study of catch per unit of effort (CPUE), population structure and individual weight was carried out before and after the onset of exploitation. Some 23,000 individuals were collected at 300–900 m depth and between latitudes 35°00′ and 36°40′S during seven fishery-independent trap surveys. Additional data on weight and individuals with signs of molting were gathered from 1000 to 1600 m south to 37°00′S after the start of the fishery. Individual weight decreased markedly over time, particularly after the start of the fishery, and decreased with depth for both sexes, with opposite patterns with latitude. CPUE peaked at 900 m and 35°40′S and remained stable over time, suggesting that it does not reflect the condition of the stock. Ovigerous females were found between 300 and 500 m and in the northernmost edge of the distribution range (35°00′S–35°40′S). The number of females decreased exponentially with depth and linearly with latitude. Molting males and females followed opposite latitudinal patterns, with highest percentages of molting individuals found between 600 and 900 m depth. A spatial management framework is proposed, which includes closing areas to fishing where ovigerous females, juvenile crabs and largest males are concentrated. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Global environmental changes threaten the sustainable use of resources and raise uncertainties regarding marine populations' responses in a changing Ocean. The pelagic copepods of the genus Calanus play a central role in shelf ecosystems transferring phytoplankton carbon to harvested populations, from boreal to temperate regions. Here we examined a 15-yr time series of Calanus sinicus abundance in regards to climate forcing in the East China Sea. We identified a compound effect of the Pacific Decadal Oscillation ( PDO) and the East Asian Winter Monsoon ( EAWM) on environmental conditions in the East China Sea. Such climate influences not only a southward transport of C. sinicus from its population centres into the Taiwan area, but favours advantageous thermal conditions for the species as well. On the interannual scale, our results show that the population size of C. sinicus echoes climate-driven temperature changes. Hence, the possibility of using the PDO and EAWM variability for assessing and predicting interannual abundance changes of C. sinicus in the East China Sea is considered. The observed close relationship between climate and C. sinicus may promote bottom-up controls in the pelagic food web, further influencing the southern edge of the species' geographic distribution. Owing to the prominent role this species plays in food web dynamics these results might help integrative fisheries management policies in the heavily exploited East China Sea. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the present account three brachyuran decapods, Macropodia linaresi Forest & Zariquiey Álvarez, 1964 (Inachidae), Liocarcinus navigator (Herbst, 1794) (Polybiidae) and Thia scutellata (Fabricius, 1793) (Thiidae), are recorded for the first time from the Canary Islands. This is the southernmost record of M. linaresi. Crabs were caught in the frame of a dredging survey. Characteristics of the dredge stations are given, including the identification of 11 accompanying decapod species and 6 marine algae and plants characterizing their habitats. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, the evolutionary history of the white-clawed crayfish (WCC) was evaluated using large-scale datasets comprising >1350 specimens from the entire distribution range. Using species delimitation methods on mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) sequences, we propose four primary species hypotheses for WCC. Sequences for several nuclear regions were screened but none showed significant variation within WCC. This result favours a single secondary species hypothesis and indicates the existence of a mito-nuclear discordance in WCC. Therefore, mtDNA groups were considered only as genetic units that carry information about ancient divergences within WCC and not as taxonomic units. The reconstruction of ancestral ranges and divergence time estimates were used to link the current genetic structure with paleogeographic processes. These results showed that the emergence of mtDNA groups in WCC could be related to the Messinian Salinity Crisis, the climate cooling during the Pliocene and Pleistocene, and (paleo)shifting of the Adriatic Sea coastline in the Padanovenezian Plain. The most recent common ancestor of the mtDNA groups most likely originated from Dalmatia (eastern Adriatic coast) as indicated by the reconstruction of ancestral ranges. This ecoregion, along with the Gulf of Venice Drainages, harbours a high genetic diversity and should be emphasised as an area of the highest conservation priority. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ostracods of the family Entocytheridae are obligate ectosymbionts, primarily of crayfishes. Although the distribution and diversity of crayfishes is well known in the northeastern US, little is known about entocytherids in this region. In this study, we examined 5 species of crayfishes- Procambarus acutus (White River Crayfish), Orconectes limosus (Spinycheek Crayfish), Orconectes propinquus (Northern Clearwater Crayfish) , Cambarus bartonii (Common Crayfish), and Cambarus robustus (Big Water Crayfish) -from 3 counties in New York (Saratoga, Orange, and Tompkins) and 8 counties in New Jersey (Essex, Sussex, Atlantic, Burlington, Camden, Cumberland, Gloucester, and Ocean). We recovered 2 species of entocytherid ostracods: Donnaldsoncythere cayugaensis and Donnaldsoncythere donnaldsonensis. Records from our study expand the known range of D. cayuagensis and fill in gaps in the known range of D. donnaldsonensis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present research, undertaken in a mangrove swamp in northeastern Brazil (Mamanguape River Estuary), examined the factors that led to the overwhelming acceptance of the tangle-netting technique by crab harvesters in detriment to the now illegal tamping technique. Both techniques are the only ones currently used at our study site and in many other areas in Brazil, despite being prohibited by law. Data were collected through direct observations to determine capture efficiency, productivity, daily production, selectivity, and harvesting effort, and through interviews with crab harvesters, focusing on their perceptions of the capture techniques, the conditions of crab stocks and the sales price of a dozen crabs. Our results indicated that the two capture techniques did not significantly differ in terms of their efficiency or productivity, but daily production rates differed significantly, being greater using tangle-netting. The tangle-netting permits a greater harvesting effort (6 h and 34 min) compared to tamping (4 h and 19 min). Tangle-netting is also less selective than tamping indicated by the larger number of captured smaller specimens, including females. This results in a lower average sales price for a dozen crabs caught by tangle-netting (US$ 0.95) compared to tamping (US$ 1.02). The greater daily production of crab harvesters using the tangle-netting technique nevertheless increased their net gain, explaining their preference for this method, Given that tangle-netting results in greater harvesting pressure but lower selectivity compared to tamping, it may potentially be less sustainable. All of the crab harvesters interviewed having more than 20 years of experience (n = 34) stated they perceived that stocks of U. cordatus had become reduced over the last 20 years, together with average crab sizes. It is now important to examine the structure of the local U. cordatus population and to assess its fishery to allow evaluating whether the illegal, but prominent tangle-netting and tamping mangrove crab capture techniques are sustainable or not. We further suggest improving the dialogue between decision makers and fishermen, which barely exists to date, to initiate a discussion about possible ways of resolving the current situation of illegality of the fishermen. This will be key to achieving effective sustainable co-management of this important natural mangrove forest resource. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study tries to unveil the contribution of climatic shift in shaping the extreme body size diversity in terrestrial isopods (Oniscidea). Trying to explain size variation at an interspecific level, we test five hypotheses: (1) Bergmann's Rule and the temperature-size rule postulate large size in cold areas; (2) The metabolic cold adaptation theory postulates small animal sizes in cold environments; (3) The primary productivity hypothesis predicts size increase in resource-rich areas; (4) The aridity resistance hypothesis predicts large size in arid regions; and (5). The acidosis hypothesis predicts smaller size with decreasing soil pH. Globally, Bergmann's rule and the aridity hypothesis are weakly supported. Among families and genera, results are variable and idiosyncratic. Conglobating species sizes provide weak support for the acidosis hypothesis. Overall, size is strongly affected by familial affiliation. Isopod size evolution seems to be mainly affected by phylogenetically constrained life-history traits. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The occurrence of gnathiid isopods, a group of parasitic crustaceans on fish, is reported from low-salinity habitats in Miyako-jima Island, Ryukyu Islands, southwestern Japan. In total, 1,096 gnathiid larvae were collected from four of ten surveyed sites, but mostly at two subterranean water sites connected with anchialine waters and/or the sea. Three stages of parasitic zuphea larvae were collected, but no free-living adults. Morphological observations and DNA barcoding show that these larvae are closely related to, and most likely conspecific with, Gnathia limicola a dweller of mud burrows in brackish-water habitats. Our study suggests that G. limicola actively enters into low-salinity subterranean habitats, presumably to search for euryhaline fishes to use as temporary hosts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A new species of Leptostraca, Nebalia terazakii sp. n. is described and figured. The species was sampled from the coral reefs of Pulau Payar Marine Park, Langkawi, Malaysia. There are 32 existing species of Nebalia but Nebalia terazakii sp. n. can be distinguished from the other known species of Nebalia by the following combination of characters: the rostrum is 1.89 times as long as wide and the eyes have no dorsal papilla or lobes. Article 4 of the antennular peduncle has one short thick distal spine. The proximal article of the endopod of maxilla 2 is shorter than the distal, a feature peculiar to Nebalia terazakii sp. n., the exopod of maxilla 2 is longer than article 1 of the endopod, the posterior dorsal borders of the pleonites 6 to 7 are provided with distally sharp denticles, anal plate with prominent lateral shoulder and finally, the terminal seta of the caudal rami is 1.17 times the length of the entire rami. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Description and meristic analysis of eleven species of Microcyclops recorded in America were performed based on the examination of type specimens and fresh material. Microscopic analysis of oral appendages, such as the shape and armature of the distal coxal endite of the maxilla, the ornamentation on the caudal surface of the antenna, and the intercoxal sclerites and armament of the inner basis of all swimming appendages, were characteristics that allowed the differentiation between species. Among these species, our study confirmed the synonymy of M. diversus Kiefer, 1935 with M. ceibaensis (Marsh, 1919). The results of our observations showed that M. alius (Kiefer, 1935) is a junior synonym of M. dubitabilis Kiefer, 1934; the latter being confirmed as a valid species. Also, it is proposed that the records of M. rubellus (Lilljeborg, 1901) and M. varicans (Sars, 1863) in America should be revised as there are serious doubts about their distribution in America. The analysis suggested that M. anceps pauxensis Herbst, 1962 is distinct from M. anceps var. minor Dussart, 1984 and that both are likely different from M. anceps anceps (Richard, 1897). Finally a full morphological description of adult females of Microcyclops inarmatus sp. n. is presented. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the present study, the terrestrial isopods of the family Cylisticidae in Iran are investigated. Geographical distributions of two formerly reported species from Iran, namely Cylisticoides angulatus Schmalfuss, 2003 and C. rotundifrons (Schmalfuss, 1986), are expanded. Cylisticus masalicus sp. n. is described and its diagnostic characters are figured. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A new amphilochid amphipod, Apolochus cresti sp. n. is described from specimens collected in the shallow waters of Maryland coastal bays, Mid-Atlantic region, at depths from 1.7 to 2.1 m. The new species appears to be most closely related to the northeastern Atlantic species, A. neapolitanus sensu Krapp-Schickel, 1982. Apolochus cresti sp. n. can be distinguished from A. neapolitanus by a combination of characters, including the shape of the lateral cephalic lobe, shape of the mandible molar process, relative length of mandible palp article 3, the carpal lobe length of gnathopod 2, and the lack of sub-marginal spines on antero-lateral surface of gnathopod 2. Spearman's rank correlation analysis indicated a positive correlation between the abundance of A. cresti and the amount of macroalgae collected per station, bay, and month. Ovigerous females carrying eggs were present from March to May and in October, reaching their peak in May, although only ovigerous females carrying juveniles were found in May. Males were abundant in March and were collected also in May and October. A key for the separation of Apolochus species is presented. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper describes a new species, Bryozobia rossi sp. n., collected by scuba diving in both Taiwan and Japan. B. rossi sp. n., a member of the subfamily Bryozobiinae (Ross and Newman 1996), has atria and open end portals and a single irregular basal whorl of portals at the same level as basal hemiportals; this morphology varies from all previously described bryozobiines. According to our review of relevant literature, this is the first reported Bryozobia in the Pacific, and this study is the first to describe the morphology of oral cone, cirri, and penis for the genus Bryozobia. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Chinese mitten crab ( Eriocheir sinensis) is an invasive crustacean with a widespread distribution, sometimes overlapping with the red swamp crayfish ( Procambarus clarkii). E. sinensis performs long river migrations, often moving overland to cross obstacles, but the factors affecting its movement are not well known. We studied its movement speed in and out of water, the survival time out of water and also its interaction with the red swamp crayfish during dispersal. At 16°C the LT (time to death of 50% of the individuals) was 70 h, with a mean weight loss of 20%, and at 24°C the LT was 31 h, with a mean 22% weight loss. In and out of the water, these crabs moved with mean velocities of 0.074 and 0.016 m s, respectively. P. clarkii did not affect the dispersion of E. sinensis. This crab was able to disperse under various environmental conditions and its speed was affected by density, temperature, relative humidity, carapace length, and condition of the individuals (Fulton index). Moreover, we found that this species has a great capacity to resist desiccation. These characteristics give them all the requirements to successfully invade and adapt to new areas. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Empirical examples of natural metacommunities lag behind theoretical developments and therefore are needed to understand how the relative contributions of dispersal and environmental filtering varies taxonomically and in different environments. Here, we use the geographic distributions of ostracode species and their morphological traits in lakes on San Salvador Island, Bahamas to test the hypothesis that their metacommunity dynamics are dominated by species sorting. We sampled thirty-two lakes for ostracode abundance, morphological traits, and limnological variables. The abiotic environment of lakes was found to vary mostly independently of space, allowing for the evaluation of the distinct roles of spatial and environmental variables. Differences between assemblages were not found to be spatially auto-correlated, indicating that dispersal limitation of species is not an important factor influencing community assembly. Ostracode assemblages and community-weighted aggregated species' traits were found to vary systematically with conductivity, alkalinity, and dissolved oxygen, showing that the abiotic environment is a strong filter. While conductivity did display low, but significant, spatial structure, halophilic species followed this spatial pattern. This environmental filter combined with no effects of dispersal is consistent with only a species sorting model. This study thus provides a valuable example of metacommunity models applied to a natural system by specifying the relevant ecological factors that govern community assembly. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We studied the spatial and temporal distribution pattern of three marine mysids (Chlamydopleon dissimile, Metamysidopsis elongata atlantica and Mysidopsis coelhoi) from the Cananeia-Iguape Coastal System, southeast Brazil, in relation to environmental variables and zooplankton abundance. We also analysed mysid reproductive traits, and tested their tolerance to salinity gradients in laboratory experiments. Salinity was identified as a major factor influencing mysid spatial and temporal distribution, selectively limiting their distribution within the estuary. Chlamydopleon dissimile and M. coelhoi were common, but occurred at low abundances throughout the year, whereas the numerically dominant M. elongata atlantica had abundance peaks in spring, when thermohaline conditions were more favourable. Mysid brood size varied interspecifically; the occurrence of juveniles throughout the year indicated that mysids breed continuously in the region. The high biomass of M. elongata atlantica observed in spring confirms the importance of mysids in coastal regions' food webs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]