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The farming of Scylla paramamosain with specific flavors has a higher commercial value, and the flavors are related to the integrated farming environment and non-volatile flavor substances, while the survival environment is one of the important ways to source gut microorganisms in the organism. In this study, the levels of dominant taxa in the gut flora of S. paramamosain from Mong Cai, Vietnam (VN), Taishan City, Guangdong Province (TS) of China, and Ninghai County, Ningbo City (NB) Zhejiang Province of China converged with those of S. paramamosain from Sanmen County, Ningbo City (CK1, CK2, and CK3) at 28 d of domestication. The top 15 genera with the highest abundance of VN, TS, and NB gut flora were the same as CK1, CK2, and CK3, but with different percentages, and gradually converged to CK1, CK2, and CK3, respectively, at 28 d of domestication. Correlation between intestinal flora and non-volatile flavor substances in the hepatopancreas at the percentage level of relative abundance of bacterial genera found that above 28 d of domestication, Muribaculaceae, Psychrilyobacter, Clostridia_vadinBB60_group, Halarcobacter Carboxylicivirga, Sediminispirochaeta may be the most important genera affecting flavor amino acids of VN. Sediminispirochaeta, Carboxylicivirga, Halarcobacter, Photobacterium, ZOR0006, Psychrilyobacter, and Pseudomonas may be the most important genera affecting flavor amino acids of NB. Sediminispirochaeta, Carboxylicivirga, Halarcobacter, Photobacterium, ZOR0006, Vibrio, and Sphingomonas may be the most important genera affecting flavor amino acids of TS. These results show that the intestinal flora structure of crabs from different areas were domesticated in the same area for at least 28 d before they converged to that of the domesticated crab, and the most important genera affecting the flavor amino acids of TS, VN, and NB were also identified. The results of this study provide a reference and basis for the technique of directional cultivation of the flavor quality of the crab. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Two specimens of the genus Hippolyte were examined from the caridean collections of the Marine Biological Museum, Chinese Academy of Sciences. These specimens were captured in the South China Sea in 1987. Detailed inspection revealed that their morphological features closely match the (re)descriptions of Hippolyte australiensis, especially in the presence of a long, distinct lateral carina on the rostrum, a dorsally unarmed rostral border, and four prominent terminal spines on the dactylus of the last three pereiopods. New information: The discovery of Hippolyte australiensis in Chinese waters represents a significant expansion of its geographic distribution from the South Pacific to the North Pacific. Furthermore, an additional taxonomical report of H. australiensis is provided since its retrieval in 2001. [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]

Tortanus (Atortus) murrayi Scott A., 1909 is classified within the species group named murrayi, under the species complex of recticauda. The species was originally described by A. Scott based on five female and two male specimens from St.118 (Celebes Strait), St.85 (Manipa Strait), and St.213 (Selayar Island), Indonesia. Later, the species was described from Phillippine waters. Recent studies have provided new distributional records and detailed taxonomic descriptions based on female specimens from the Great Nicobar Subdivision, India. However, for accurate species identification, descriptions of both male and female specimens are essential. The species closely resembles T. (A.) scaphus Bowman, 1971, as well as T. (A.) sulawesiensis Mulyadi, Nishida and Ohtsuka, 2017. This study illustrates the distinguishing characteristics of the male specimens from its congeners. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Chinese Mitten Crab, a freshwater crab species originating from China, was accidentally introduced in Europe in the early 20th C when Western steamers, returning from China, emptied their ballast water tanks in German harbours. From there, in the course of the last century, the species gradually colonized the coastlines of the North Sea and the Atlantic southwards, but also much of the rest of the world. This visual essay is based upon material collected by Rotor for an installation at the 2018 Bruges Triennial. The narrative starts from the massive but scarcely known presence of the crab in the world-famed canals of the city of Bruges to tell the story of the species' amazing resilience and age-old adaptedness to anthropogenic environments. This is also a reconstruction of the Mitten Crab's unique travel patterns, partly the result of the species own migratory drive, but partly also following, unwittingly, the tendency of humans to travel ever further, ever faster. Like the exhibition, the essay explores the habits and motivations of an invasive species while deliberately suspending judgment. This is not to excuse the species of harming local biodiversity. But to recognize the fair share of responsibility we as humans bear in the present situation. [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]

To determine the Amphipoda (Crustacea) fauna of the inland waters of Western Anatolia, Marmara and the Turkish Thrace Region, field studies were conducted between May 2014 and March 2019. Seven field studies were conducted. Samplings were conducted at 291 localities and amphipod specimens were found at 127 of them. As a result, 11 amphipod species (Echinogammarus stocki G. Karaman, 1970, Gammarus aequicauda (G. Karaman, 1970), Gammarus anatoliensis Schellenberg, 1937, Gammarus arduus G. Karaman, 1975, Gammarus balcanicus Schäferna, 1923, Gammarus dorsosetosus Mateus & Mateus, 1990, Gammarus gonensis Özbek, 2016, Gammarus komareki Schäferna, 1923, Gammarus lacustris G.O. Sars, 1863, Gammarus pulex pulex (Linnaeus, 1758), Gammarus uludagi G.S. Karaman, 1975) were determined. The new records can be listed as: E. stocki for Ekinanbarı, G. anatoliensis for Uşak, G. arduus for Bolu and Düzce, G. balcanicus for Kocaeli and Sakarya, G. dorsosetosus for Bolu, G. gonensis for Istanbul and Manisa, G. komareki for Düzce and Kocaeli, G. lacustris for Istanbul, G. pulex pulex for Bolu, Kırklareli, Kocaeli, Sakarya and Uşak, and G. uludagi for Aydın, Bilecik, Sakarya and Yalova provinces. The observed morphological features and the detailed drawings of the determined taxa are presented. Additionally, a map showing the distribution of the obtained species is also given. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In order to understand the role of lower order tributaries in the population structuring of the freshwater anomuran crab Aegla parana Schmitt, 1942, a study on the distribution of demographic categories was carried out along Negro River and in its tributary Totó River that belong to Upper Iguaçu Basin, southern Brazil. Two collection points were established along the main channel of Negro River, in a 7.00 km long stretch, and three points in the entire creek Totó River with 6.61 km long. The animals were captured with Surber net and baited traps and had the carapace length (CL) measured. A total 146 crabs were obtained from Negro River and 361 from Totó River, performing 507 analyzed aeglids. From the point 1 of Negro River, males measured 27.68 ± 12.68 mm CL and females 18.98 ± 5.88 mm CL; from point 2 of the same river, the values were 24.45 ± 13.70 mm CL and 27 ± 8.50 mm CL, respectively. There was a positive and direct relationship between the mean CL of the aeglids from Totó River and the distance of the collection points from its source. Males: point 1 (source of the creek): 7.90 ± 1.23 mm CL; point 2: 9.55 ± 3.06 mm CL; point 3: 9.91 ± 2.62 mm CL. Females: point 1 (source): 6.68 ± 1.70 mm CL; point 2: 9.01 ± 1.94 mm CL; point 3: 10.49 ± 2.57 mm CL. The sexually immature aeglids are distributed mainly in the lower order tributary (= Totó River), and the mature ones in the main channel of Negro River, indicating that this population perform ontogenetic migrations from tributary to the main river. The spatial partition can be explained under three aspects that are quite contrasting between Negro River and Totó River: 1. substrate architecture; 2. depth of the water column and 3. quality of available food. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A new species of the genus Cyphocaris Boeck, 1871, is described. The material examined was collected during the "Acoustics along the Brazilian Coast" (Abraços 1) project, by micronektonic trawls at a targeted depth of 525 m, off the Rocas Atoll, Rio Grande do Norte state, Brazil. Cyphocaris boecki sp. nov. can be grouped with the eyed species in the genus but differs from them--except for C. faurei K. H. Barnard, 1916 and C. latirama, Hendrycks & Conlan, 2003--in presenting a dorsally smooth pereonite 1. However, the new species can be distinguished from both by its maxilliped inner plate with two robust apical setae, pereopod 7 basis with weakly produced posterodistal lobe, telson lobes without setae, spines or apical nails, and other characters that are individually discussed among them. The new species can be readily differentiated from C. pedroi Sorrentino, Alves, Johnsson & Senna, 2016, also described from Brazil, by presenting eyes, a rounded lateral cephalic lobe, very elongated antenna 2 almost reaching body length, and pereopod 5 basis, with apically acute spur reaching about two-thirds of the propodus. This is the second record of the genus for Brazilian waters. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Freshwater shrimp of the family Atyidae De Haan, 1849 have been studied in Vietnam for more than a century. A total of 24 species of atyid shrimps from the genera Caridina H. Milne Edwards, 1837, Neocaridina Kubo, 1938, Atyopsis Chace, 1983 have been recorded from Vietnam. With 22 species, the majority are from the genus Caridina. In 2013, Karge and Klotz mentioned the occurrence of four yet undescribed species belonging to Paracaridina Liang, Guo & Tang, 1999 in Vietnam without taxonomic details. In general, studies of freshwater atyids in Vietnam are limited and most Vietnamese taxa await a taxonomic revision. The available data do not fully reflect their estimated species diversity in the country and distribution data are deficient. Here, we focus on four species of atyid shrimps from two genera, viz. Caridina cantonensis Yu, 1938, C. lanceifrons Yu, 1936, C. serrata Stimpson, 1860 and Neocaridina palmata (Shen, 1948), all described from China and have been reported to occur in Vietnam. The previous reports on the occurrence of these species in Vietnam are largely unreliable due to taxonomic confusion. To contribute to the knowledge of these taxa, we provide the first verified distribution records of the four species in the country with some taxonomic remarks. New information: This study shows the first taxonomically-verified distribution data of four atyid shrimp species originally described from China, but also reported from Vietnam, albeit under various species names and, in some cases, erroneously. These data allow the first meaningful discussion of the distribution in light of the reproductive strategy of these four species and, in conjunction with the taxonomic remarks, will contribute to the knowledge of these taxa. As a result of this research and data from previous studies, we now consider all four species as widespread and non-endemic, but land-locked (with a complete freshwater life cycle). In Vietnam, all four species are confined to the northern half of the country. Beyond Vietnam, we provide the first records for Caridina lanceifrons from southern Thailand, which suggests a major sampling gap in Indochina. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Schnabel, Kou & Xu reported three new species of spongicolid shrimp from New Zealand. The present note, with ZooBank registrations, serve to validate the names Spongicoloides clarki, S. sonne and Spongiocaris antipodes by fulfilling Code conditions for nomenclatural availability. As such, the date and authorship of the species names take the date of publication of this note. Specimens are deposited at the National Institute of Water & Atmospheric Research, Wellington (NIWA) and the Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa, Wellington (NMNZ). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

John Robertson Henderson was born in Scotland and educated at the University of Edinburgh, where he qualified as a doctor. His interest in marine natural history was fostered at the Scottish Marine Station for Scientific Research at Granton (near Edinburgh) where his focus on anomuran crustaceans emerged, to the extent that he was eventually invited to compile the anomuran volume of the Challenger expedition reports. He left Scotland for India in autumn 1885 to take up the Chair of Zoology at Madras Christian College, shortly after its establishment. He continued working on crustacean taxonomy, producing substantial contributions to the field; returning to Scotland in retirement in 1919. The apparent absence of communication with Alfred William Alcock, a surgeon-naturalist with overlapping interests in India, is highlighted but not resolved. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present communication deals with an attempt to differentiate species of hermit crabs, collected from Maharashtra region, using morphometric features. A total of 16 morphometric measurements features were recorded from each specimen. The morphometric features like cheliped dactylus length, cheliped propodus length, carapace length, ocular peduncle length, antennular peduncle length and propodal length have been found to be important traits in the separation of the species. Among these first three, cheliped dactylus length, cheliped propodus length and carapace length, are most important in differentiation. The analysis also indicated 99.55 % correct discrimination of the species based on selected traits. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A survey was conducted to study the distribution of brachyuran crabs along the coast of south Andaman Island during 2015-2018. The investigation confirmed the occurrence of Atergatis ocyroe (Herbst, 1801) from the Port Blair Coast of Andaman & Nicobar Islands, India. From a comprehensive study of standard literature, it was evident that A. ocyroe was misidentified as A. floridus and these two species do not co-exist in the same geographical area. Hence, the existence of A. floridus in Andaman and Nicobar Islands is doubtful. The confirmed distributional record of A. ocyroe across the Indian Ocean is provided and discussed with its taxonomy, and detailed description along with photograph and line diagram is provided in this study. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present study reports the occurrence of the pistol shrimp, Alpheus euphrosyne from the South-Eastern Arabian Sea. Identification of the species was based on morphological and molecular examination. One male and two female specimens were collected from the experimental fishing vessel FV Sagar Harita, operating in the Arabian Sea off the south-west coast of India during May 2016. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The study analyzed the live colour pattern present on the carapace of Portunus pelagicus. Our results indicated that the occurrence of three major colour morphs in the population of P. pelagicus with an intraspecific variation among the female population in Mandapam (Palk Bay and Gulf of Mannar) region. The crab population was dominated by carapace colour morph Type 2 (51.27%) in Palk Bay and Type 3 (54.80%) in Gulf of Mannar. There was no evidence of a colour morph difference between ages in observed specimens. The colour morphotypes showed significant difference in the analysed population, among and between the sexes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A specific study has been carried out for the first time to investigate the homing capability and daily home range of the spiny lobster Palinurus elephas by means of ultrasonic telemetry. Nine lobsters collected in the Capo Gallo — Isola delle Femmine marine protected area (northwestern Sicily, central Mediterranean) were tagged with miniaturized transmitters and released at a single site inside the protected area. The lobsters were monitored with the purpose of calculating their horizontal and vertical positions, analysing their movement patterns to assess their homing capability, and calculating their daily home range. Five lobsters moved back close to the capture sites within the first 20 hours after release ('homed'). The remaining four lobsters 'relocated' to a different refuge. Homed lobsters had a larger home range than relocated lobsters. This study provides the first description of a homing pattern with high spatial resolution in the wild European spiny lobster as inferred by ultrasonic telemetry. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A collection of deepwater decapods systematically sampled from Australia's continental slope and abyssal plain (200-5000 m) is reported from the combined surveys of the Great Australian Bight (GAB) and south-east and central-east coast of Australia (ECA). This report documents 191 species (115 from the GAB and 108 from the ECA (with 33 shared species)) in 44 families: Dendrobranchiata (32 species), Caridea (57 species), Polychelida (10 species), Achelata (3 species), Astacidea (3 species), Axiidea (2 species), Anomura (52 species), Brachyura (32 species). Nineteen per cent (37) of all species are suspected to be undescribed, 11% (21) are recorded for the first time from Australia and a further 37% (70) are new to either the GAB or the south-east or central coast of Australia. Forty percent of species were known only from a single specimen. The GAB surveys comprise a simple comparison of depth, all sampled at similar latitudes, although targeting different topographical features and substrates. The east coast survey was designed to investigate latitudinal biodiversity patterns along the eastern Australian continental margin, comparing bathyal and abyssal communities at different latitudes from Tasmania (41°S) to Fraser Island, Queensland (24°S). A comparison of GAB and ECA bathyal (1000-3500 m) and abyssal (3500+ m) decapod communities showed a drop in diversity with depth of 75% and 77% respectively, although there was considerable overlap in bathyal and abyssal species with 19% of GAB and 15% of ECA bathyal species also recorded in the abyssal zone. There was a marked increase in species diversity with decreasing latitude along the ECA at the upper bathyal depths of 1000-1500 m (largely due to increasing numbers of crab species at the lower latitudes). Below 1500 m, however, there was no discernable trend of increasing diversity with decreasing latitudes -abyssal species numbers remained relatively stable between southern and northern stations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Animals exhibit behavioural patterns characterized by responses to information received from internal and external stimuli. The ultimate response or decision is based on physical, chemical, or biological factors and their analysis by the nervous system, and may be influenced by previous experiences, stressors, and limitations. This review summarizes behavioural patterns connected with decision making in crayfish, and includes similarities to vertebrates and other invertebrates that may be applied to freshwater crayfish. Concurrently, purpose of this review is introduce behavioural patterns from outside and inside of crustaceans taxa, in which might crayfish have potential exhibit them. Knowledge of patterns influencing behavioural responses and decisions in organisms is necessary for understanding basic biological relationships and for extraction of information applicable to crayfish. Information on sensory and nervous systems, communication, social behaviour, reproductive behaviour, and decision making within the context of species success and adaptations to changing environments will contribute to a model design for future studies of reproductive and social behaviour and behavioural ecology of crayfish. The study of crayfish behavioural patterns can extend knowledge of habitat and reproductive requirements of native crayfish as well as investigate success and impacts of non-native species in environment. Graphical abstract Image 1 Highlights • Crayfish, as suitable model organisms, are useful for experimental studies. • Possible application of behavioural patterns of higher taxa animals (vertebrates) to crayfish. • This review provides the overview of facts usable for research in this field. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Faxonius barrenensis (Rhoades, 1944) is endemic to the Green River system of Kentucky and Tennessee, USA and closely related to Faxonius mirus (Ortmann, 1931), which is restricted to Tennessee River tributaries in Tennessee and Alabama. A crayfish with morphological affinities to these species (Faxonius sp.) occurs in the Red River system (Cumberland River Drainage) of Kentucky and Tennessee. Whether the latter represents a disjunct population of F. barrenensis, F. mirus, or a distinct species, has not been tested. Whether the shared morphological traits reflect shared ancestry or convergence is unknown. We used molecular and morphological data, including two mitochondrial (COI and 16S) and two nuclear (28S and GAPDH) genes and a standard suite of phenotypic measurements to examine the phylogenetic relationships and the taxonomic status of Faxonius sp. relative to F. barrenensis, F. mirus, and other species of Faxonius Ortmann, 1905. All gene datasets recovered focal taxa as a clade, implying their morphological similarities likely reflect shared ancestry. In all mitochondrial and combined gene trees, Faxonius sp. was recovered as genetically divergent from F. barrenensis and F. mirus. Faxonius sp. is phenotypically distinguished from F. barrenensis and F. mirus based on several characteristics including shorter rostrum, longer abdomen, wider areola, and straight margins on both mandibles (toothed in F. mirus; toothed and straight in F. barrenensis); Form I males have a strong angular shoulder on the gonopod, in comparison to F. barrenensis. Given these findings, we describe Faxonius sp. as Faxonius bellator n. sp. Faxonius bellator n. sp. has been collected at only four localities, suggesting it has a small range and warrants conservation concern. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A new species of aorid amphipod, Bemlos seisuiae sp. nov. is described from deep muddy bottom off Tanabe Bay, Japan. The new species is characterized by its conspicuously slender and elongated pereopods 3–6. The aorids reported from deep water are reviewed, and their morphological adaptations to deep water are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Grooming behaviors that decrease fouling have been documented in various animals. The result of autogrooming has been frequently documented, with the behaviors and time spent grooming being highly variable in taxa. Setae are important in removing fouling as well as optimizing sensory reception and movement in crustaceans. Mantis shrimps (Stomatopoda) are marine crustaceans that are divided into two groups (smashers and spearers) based on the morphology of their foraging appendages. While other behaviors and structures in mantis shrimps have been intensely studied (foraging, agonistic, reproduction), grooming has been studied in detail in only a few species. We studied grooming behaviors in both groups and describe the morphologies of the grooming appendages and body regions frequently groomed. Smasher and spearer mantis shrimps were predicted to have distinct grooming behaviors and morphologies of their grooming appendages because they inhabit different environments. The grooming behaviors of smasher and spearer species were recorded and described by grooming frequency and duration, grooming mechanism, and the groomed body regions being documented. The first maxillipeds, the only grooming appendage, and frequently groomed body regions (eyes, antennae, and antennules) were observed using a scanning electron microscope. Compared to spearers, smashers groom their bodies more frequently, for longer durations, have a higher density of grooming setae, and are more fouled even though they may live in habitats with less free-suspended sedimentation. Spearers could therefore be structurally better adapted with their first maxillipeds and remove environmental fouling more efficiently for their specific habitats. Compared to various other crustaceans, mantis shrimps have relatively little fouling on their appendages and have low grooming-time budgets. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Four species of freshwater crabs from three genera and two families (Cantopotamon hengqinense Huang, Ahyong & Shih, 2017, Nanhaipotamon guangdongense Dai, 1997, Nanhaipotamon macau sp. n., and Somanniathelphusa zanklon Ng & Dudgeon, 1992) are documented from Macau for the first time. One new species, Nanhaipotamon macau sp. n., is described. The large flap on the male first gonopod terminal segment sets it apart from all other known congeners except N. wupingense Cheng, Yang, Zhong & Li, 2003, from Fujian. Characters of the carapace, male first gonopod and size, however, clearly differentiate these two species. Preliminary genetic studies also suggest that the two are not closely related. A neotype is designated for N. wupingense. The taxonomic status of Nanhaipotamon guangdongense is also discussed. Notes on the general biology and conservation status of these crabs are also included. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

During a scientific survey, a new genus of the dogielinotid amphipoda was found in the Nipa palm (Nypa fruticans) in Bang Krachao Urban Oasis, Samut Prakan Province, Thailand. We placed this new genus, Allorchestoides gen. nov., within the family Dogielinotidae. The new taxa can be easily distinguished from the remaining genera by differences in the incisor of the left and right mandibles, apical robust setae of the maxilla 1, and the large coxa and strong obtuse palm in the female gnathopod 1. The type species of Allorchestoides gen. nov., Allorchestoides rosea n. sp., is described here in, with an updated key to the genera of the family Dogielinotidae. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Subterranean habitats include mainly aerated ("dry") and flooded-karst or volcano-karst caves as well as interstitial waters; the term "cave" also includes narrow fissures. Such habitats can be classified as terrestrial cave and fissure habitats, cave and fissure waters, and interstitial waters. Only woodlice (Isopoda) can be present in terrestrial subterranean habitats, but all orders of Crustacea are represented in aquatic habitats. Springs are also a source of subterranean aquatic fauna. Most subterranean crustaceans are members of Copepoda, Amphipoda, and Isopoda. Sampling tools include hand nets, mini hand nets, nets for wells, filter bottles, the Bou-Rouch pump, traps, and the use of artificial substrates. Preservation of the material depends on the final use of the specimens for morphological or molecular analyses, or for some special purposes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Anchialine caves are inland, salinity stratified, submerged caves in limestone or volcanic basalt, whereas marine caves are located offshore, completely beneath the seafloor. These caves contain a remarkable biodiversity, with numerous, new higher taxa being recorded in recent decades. While some faunas are Tethyan relicts with highly anomalous distributions, others have relatives inhabiting the deep sea. Cave diving is an essential tool for investigating these wholly submerged environments. As an option to standard open circuit scuba, closed circuit rebreathers provide extended dive time and minimize disturbances to the animal life. Collection techniques involve the use of plankton nets, individual vials, suction bottles, and baited traps. Preservatives include ethanol, RNA-later or special fixatives, depending upon their ultimate purpose. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A new genus and new species of highland gecarcinucid crab, Occulthusa halimun, is described from Mount Halimun Salak National Park, West Java, Indonesia. The species can be distinguished from the allied Terrathelphusa kuhlii (De Man, 1883) from West Java by a subquadrate carapace that is not prominently inflated, the entire anterolateral margins and subparallel posterolateral margins of the carapace, prominent epigastric and postorbital cristae composed of strong striae, a frontal median triangle that is almost complete, with the dorsal ridge wide and distinct, and a distinctive male first gonopod with a stout subterminal segment and short and strongly bent terminal segment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Palaeopalaemon newberryi Whitfield, 1880 is redescribed based upon a large collection of specimens including those collected in the nearly 40 years since P. newberryi was last evaluated. Previously undescribed aspects of its morphology include a large, pectinate maxilliped; the dactylus of pereiopod I; a triangular sternal field; well-preserved antennae, including an endopod with an antennulate flagellum; and a broad, roughly triangular scaphocerite. Phylogenetic analysis supports the position of P. newberryi as a lobster and suggests that Palaeopalaemonoidea is the sister taxon of Polychelida. Palaeopalaemon newberryi is distinct from Angustidontus, and pectinate claws shared by the two taxa may be a convergent morphology and not phylogenetically informative. Palaeopalaemon newberryi probably exhibited a benthic habit. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Niphargus sarii sp. n. was collected from Jo-Khanem Spring in Ilam Province. This species hypothesis is based on the analysis of morphological characters and 28S ribosomal DNA sequences. In this paper, we describe the morphological traits of this new species. Then, its taxonomic status within the genus is discussed in comparison to the 15 known Iranian species. Results revealed that N. sarii sp. n. is phylogenetically close to N. sohrevardensis. This species is easily distinguished from other Iranian species by some characters, in particular the equal length of rami in uropod I, lack of lateral robust setae on telson and the situation of dactylus to posterior margin of propodus in gnathopod II. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The fossil record of the clawed lobster genus, Homarus, is appraised. The taxonomic history of Homarus and Hoploparia is summarized, and a list of species recognized for each is provided. A tabulation of all fossil species of the family Nephropidae permits assessment of nephropid species diversity through time. A new species of Homarus, H. hungaricus, is recorded from the upper Oligocene (Chattian) Mány Formation at Mány, northern Hungary. The species is known by a single specimen consisting of a partial cephalothorax, a pleon minus telson, and partial chelipeds. Homarus is now known by two extant species (H. americanus and H. gammarus) and six fossil taxa, one of Early Cretaceous (Albian; H. benedeni) and five of Cenozoic age (H. hungaricus n. sp., H. klebsi, H. lehmanni, H. morrisi, and H. percyi). The new fossil Homarus differs from modern congeners in aspects of carapace and pleon ornamentation and, especially, cutter claw shape. This is the fourth Oligocene occurrence of a nephropid species; all are Homarus and all are from Western Europe. Homarus makes its appearance in the fossil record in the Early Cretaceous (Albian) and then is not known again until the Paleogene, despite the fact that nephropid lobsters in general are well known from the Late Cretaceous. Nephropid lobsters are better known from the Cretaceous than from the Cenozoic. Both raw species numbers and numbers corrected (normalized) for epicontinental sea coverage show that shelf-dwelling nephropid lobsters were most diverse during the Late Cretaceous. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

The crab genus Perisesarma De Man, 1895 has been shown to be a polyphyletic taxon comprising morphologically heterogeneous species. Some members of the genus have a close phylogenetic relationship with the sister genus Parasesarma De Man, 1895, with which it shares many morphological similarities, except for the existence of an epibranchial tooth in Perisesarma. This study uses morphological and molecular approaches to reconstruct phylogenetic relationships of Perisesarma and related genera and to evaluate the phylogenetic importance and taxonomic usefulness of the epibranchial tooth. As genetic markers we use two mitochondrial and one nuclear gene. A comparative morphological analysis reveals that a clean separation between species of Parasesarma and Perisesarma is not possible, because of intermediate conformations of the epibranchial tooth. In our molecular analysis, most species of Perisesarma cluster solidly together with species of Parasesarma, but without being reciprocally monophyletic. Morphology and genetics also indicate that the West African species of Perisesarma and the Indo-Pacific P. fasciatum are markedly different from all other species of the genus. Therefore, we here suggest with robust double support a new classification, transferring most species of Perisesarma to Parasesarma and the three West African representatives and P. fasciatum into new genera, thereby restricting the genus Perisesarma to the type species P. dusumieri. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Henri de Saussure and Jean Carl were both prolific taxonomists who worked on many groups. Both paid some attention to the terrestrial isopods, although neither was mainly concerned with the order Isopoda. The Muséum d'histoire naturelle de Genéve contains type specimens of nine species described by Saussure and eleven species or subspecies described by Carl. All of the species described by the two are enumerated, the presence of type specimens is noted and the current nomenclatural combination for each species is given. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Indo-West Pacific pinnotherid crab genus, Ostracotheres H. Milne Edwards, 1853, was recognised for species with a simple, unadorned carapace without marginal lamellae, and a spatulate maxilliped 3 propodus with a rounded or subtruncate apex. Prior to the present study, the genus included: O. tridacnae (Red Sea; type species), O. affinis (Mauritius, Djibouti), O. cynthiae Nobili, 1906a (Red Sea); O. spondyli Nobili, 1905 (Persian Gulf); O. subglobosus (Baker, 1907) (southern Australia); O. holothuriensis Baker, 1907 (southern Australia); O. subquadratus Sakai, 1939 (Japan); and O. tomentipes Takeda & Konishi, 1994 (Japan). Reconsideration of species assigned to Ostracotheres shows they differ considerably in other aspects such as carapace physiognomy, pereopod article proportions, and gonopod structure (where known), suggesting the genus is not monophyletic. Thus, Ostracotheres is revised based on type and other material. Ostracotheres sensu stricto is restricted to O. tridacnae and O. cynthiae. Ostracotheres tridacnae is confirmed as a senior synonym of O. savignyi H. Milne Edwards, 1853, and appears to be restricted to the Red Sea as a commensal of tridacnine clams; records of O. tridacnae from southeast Africa are referred to Afropinnotheres dofleini (Lenz in Lenz & Strunck, 1914). Similarly, O. cynthiae appears to be restricted to the Red Sea as a commensal of ascidians; the single record of O. cynthiae from Indonesia requires confirmation but its published account is not consistent with O. cynthiae sensu stricto. A new genus, Austrotheres, is proposed for O. holothuriensis and a new species from eastern Australia. Ostracotheres subglobosus and O. subquadratus, considered by some to be conspecific, are shown to be separate valid species, with the identity of the latter fixed by a neotype selection; both are transferred to a new genus, Discorsotheres, together with O. spondyli and a new species from the tropical western Pacific. Ostracotheres affinis and O. tomentipes are referred to a new genus Latatheres, with the identity of the former fixed by a neotype selection. Keys to the species of the genera studied herein and to pinnotherid genera with a 2-segmented maxilliped 3 palp are provided. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A colourful crab currently referred to as Parasesarma indiarum (Tweedie, 1940) is a relatively common species in Southeast Asian mangroves and has been recorded from Singapore, Malaysia, and Indonesia. The present study compares the material from Singapore and Peninsular Malaysia to the type specimens from Ambon, and recognises two species based on their morphology and genetic distances. The structure of the chelar dactylar tubercles and molecular data support the distinction of specimens originating from Peninsular Malaysia and Singapore from those of Ambon corresponding to P. indiarum sensu stricto. We here describe them as a separate species, Parasesarma peninsulare new species, and compare it with allied congeners. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A new species of pea crab Arcotheres Manning, 1993 (Pinnotheridae), is described from the windowpane shell, Placuna ephippium (Philipsson, 1788) (Placunidae) in Singapore. The species had previously been incorrectly identified as Arcotheres similis (Bürger, 1895) but with the redescription of the types by Ahyong & Ng (2007), this is now known to be a very different taxon. Arcotheres placunicola n. sp. is superficially similar to A. palaensis (Bürger, 1895) and A. guinotae Campos, 2001, but can easily be distinguished by the structures of the third maxilliped, as well as proportions of the chelae and ambulatory legs. The only other species known to live exclusively in placunid shells, A. placunae (Hornell & Southwell, 1909) from India, is markedly different in the form of the carapace and ambulatory leg structures. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The taxonomy of the Indo-West Pacific leucosiid crabs of the genus Parilia Wood-Mason, in Wood-Mason & Alcock, 1891, is revised. The genus is redefined and four species are here recognised: P. alcocki Wood-Mason, in Wood-Mason & Alcock, 1891 (type species); P. major Sakai, 1961; P. ovata Chen, 1984; and P. pattersoni, new species. Parilia pattersoni from the eastern Indian Ocean is morphologically similar to P. major but can easily be distinguished by its more granulate carapace, chelipeds and ambulatory legs. Parilia tuberculata Sakai, 1961, is referred to its own genus, Neparilia, new genus, as the structure of its carapace, third maxillipeds, chelipeds, male pleon and male first gonopods are markedly different from Parilia s. str. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The identities of what have been referred to as Epigrapsus notatus (Heller, 1865) and E. villosus Ng, 2003, are evaluated using morphological and molecular methods. Morphological comparisons showed that the main characters used to diagnose E. villosus (viz. the setation of the carapace, the condition of the epigastric cristae, the granulation on the branchial region, and proportions of the ambulatory legs) can be attributed to the small size of the type specimen; and the extreme condition of these structures can be connected to adult forms of E. notatus through transitional phases. One morphological feature (the laterally expanded first epibranchial tooth) is seen only in the holotype of E. villosus, but it can also be regarded as a character state specific to small individuals of E. notatus, and signifying the extreme end of possible variation in that species. The analysis of mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase subunit I (COI) reveals three haplotypes in the E. notatus/E. villosus complex, but with only as much as 0.61% of nucleotide divergence between them. In conclusion, it is clear that E. notatus undergoes dramatic morphological change during its growth, and that E. villosus should be considered a junior synonym of E. notatus. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The PANGLAO 2004 expedition in the central Visayas region of the Philippines revealed the occurrence of 43 species of diogenid hermit crabs of the genera Calcinus, Clibanarius, and Dardanus in the Philippines. Using morphological, colour pattern, and mitochondrial DNA evidence, the Dardanus lagopodes (Forskål, 1775) complex is revised with the validation of D. sanguinolentus (Quoy & Gaimard, 1824) and the addition of one new species, Dardanus balhibuon. Eight species represent new records for the Philippine Archipelago. For each reported species, a list of the total number of specimens collected during the expedition is presented, and the geographic range and habitat are discussed. Colour photographs are provided for most species. A checklist of all hermit crab species recorded from the Philippines is presented, and species of these three genera previously reported from the Philippines but not found during the PANGLAO 2004 expedition are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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Male sexual differentiation in crustaceans is controlled by the androgenic gland (AG), a unique male endocrine organ that, in decapods, is located at the base of the 5th pereiopod. In these animals, the insulin-like androgenic gland hormone (IAG) is the major factor secreted from the AG to induce masculinization and maintain male characteristics. It has, however, recently been proposed that this hormone also plays a role in growth and ovarian development in females. In this study, we tested such a possibility by searching for the IAG gene in the marbled crayfish, a parthenogenetic animal that reproduces asexually to form an all-female genetic clone. Based on the phylogenetic relationship between the marbled crayfish and Procambarus fallax, a gonochoristic species of the same North American Cambaridae family, we searched for the IAG gene in the marbled crayfish and then fully sequenced it. The open reading frame of the gene was found to be completely identical in the two species, and their introns shared over 94% identity. It was also found that, in addition to its expression at the base of the 5th pereiopod and in the testes of male P. fallax crayfish, IAG was expressed in the muscle tissue of P. fallax males and females and even of the parthenogenetic marbled crayfish. These findings provide new insight into possible functions of IAG, in addition to its role as a masculinization-inducing factor, and also constitute the basis for a discussion of the evolutionary relationship between the above two species. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A new species of the harpacticoid copepod genus Echinolaophonte is described here from specimens obtained during a biological survey of Rodadero Bay, a coastal system in the Colombian Caribbean. This species has been previously recorded as E. armiger Gurney, 1927 in different geographic areas (Indian and Pacific Oceans). The Colombian specimens recognized as E. villabonae sp. n. and true E. armiger are deemed as distinct species based on differences in several features of which the shape of the rostrum and the dorsal spinous process on the prosome are among the most distinctive. These and other characters are shared by specimens recorded as E. armiger from Caroline Islands and Australia that are now incorporated to the new species. The finding of the true E. armiger, previously known only from Egypt, the Texan coast, Brazil, and possibly Bermuda, constitutes the first record of this species in the western Caribbean and a regional range extension. A key to the identification of the 13 known species of the genus is also provided. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of the present study was to test the hypothesis that size variation among individuals of one particular age affects the precise assessment of anticipated growth curve trajectories and their parameters for the marine shrimp, Penaeus vannamei Boone, 1931. The data came from shrimp farmed in earthen ponds of an aquaculture farm located in the Gulf of California. Five asymptotic models were applied to averaged length-at-age data: specialized Von Bertalanffy, generalized Von Bertalanffy, Gompertz, Logistic and Johnson. These models were parametrized considering two criteria: (1) variability in length-at-age (σ²I) decreases with age (growth compensation approach), (2) constant variance ("normal" and "fat tail"). The model parameters were computed with the maximum likelihood criterion. The corrected version of Akaike's information criterion AICc, selected the Gompertz model and the growth compensation approach as those who fitted the data best.We conclude that the growth compensation approach allows the application of a very high performance objective function to analyse individual length-at-age variability without underestimation of the parameters, and also that the best model to describe the growth trajectory of P. vannamei in a farmed environment is a sigmoid curve with an inflection point at 34% of the life period analysed (the Gompertz model). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The zooplankton communities in Chilean Patagonian lakes (39-51°S) are characterized by the low presence of daphniid cladocerans, i.e., under conditions of the usual native oligotrophy and, thus, low mineral concentrations. Nevertheless, from some northern Patagonian lakes (39-41°S) a marked abundance of daphniids has been reported. According to the literature, as well as evidence from field observations, the main causes of such marked changes in the local zooplankton assemblages would be changes in phytoplankton quantity and quality, providing increased energetic resources for the zooplankton communities. Such energetic resources might decrease the stress effects of low calcium concentrations, as calcium constitutes an essential nutrient for caparace formation in Daphniidae; in addition, energetic expenses needed to perform vertical migrations due to fish predation and exposure to natural ultraviolet radiation can better be provided for. This is a markedly different situation compared to North Patagonian lakes, where daphniid abundance and number of species are related only to phytoplankton quantity and quality in term of phosphorus/nitrogen molar ratio. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Estimates of population dynamics and secondary production are important to understand the role of species in ecosystems and the mechanisms that drive life-history trade-offs, contributing to system preservation and monitoring. Population dynamics (growth rate, instantaneous mortality rates and longevity) and secondary production (biomass, production and P/B ratio) of the key marine benthic species Monokalliapseudes schubarti (Mañé-Garzón, 1949) were investigated monthly in a tropical coastal lagoon over 18 months and compared with data from other subtropical and temperate populations. A growth curve was estimated by fitting the Von Bertalanffy growth model. M. schubarti showed latitudinal variation in growth parameters. In tropical areas, M. schubarti generated consecutive cohorts and the growth curve parameters were: L∞ = 11.74 mm, k = 2.91, t0 = -0.036. A smaller asymptotic length was found for tropical and subtropical areas compared with data from temperate areas, and a lower growth rate was found at the tropical site. The annual mortality rate for the finite population was 0.999 year-1. Longevity, estimated at 10 months, was lower at the tropical site. The secondary production rate of M. schubarti at the tropical coastal lagoon was 10.60 g AFDW m-22 year-1, with a P/B ratio = 5.44. Brief longevity, a high P/B ratio, and high mortality may indicate M. schubarti as an opportunistic species in tropical areas. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We observed the outcomes of fights of smaller contestants against larger opponents during malemale contests in Uca annulipes (H. Milne Edwards, 1837), Uca bengali Crane, 1975, and Uca rosea (Tweedie, 1937). Smaller contestants won 30, 31 and 37% of the contests in U. annulipes, U. bengali and U. rosea, respectively, regardless of body size disadvantages. Smaller contestants won when body size asymmetries were lesser, but took a longer time to win the contests, while with greater size-asymmetries, smaller ones lost the contests in a short time. In U. bengali and U. rosea, most of the smaller winners were residents (burrow owners), but not in U. annulipes. This study shows that longer fighting duration or high motivation enables the smaller contestants, especially the residents, to overcome their inferior fighting ability and win contests against larger opponents. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A new candonid genus, Schornikovdona gen. nov., with its type species Schornikovdona bellensis sp. nov., is described from rheocrene springs of Bell County, Texas. It is designated to the tribe Candonini due to the smooth carapace surface, normal pore openings with sensory seta, the presence of a 5-segmented first antenna, two long sexual bristles on the second antenna in males, the narrowly fused terminal segment of the Md palp, a long penultimate segment of the Mxl palp, two long and one short setae on the terminal segment of T3, the absence of an "e" seta on T3, the presence of a posterior seta on the uropod, the presence of 5 + 2 rows of spines on Zenker's organ, and other characteristics found in the tribe. The main diagnostic characteristics separating the new genus from the other genera in the tribe are the shape of the carapace, the reduced numbers of segments in the first antenna, reduction or absence of exopodial setae in the second antenna, asymmetrical clasping organs, the uropod with one rod-shaped claw, the different shape of the hemipenis, and differences in parts of the chaetotaxy. Based on these differences, we propose Schornikovdona gen. nov. as a new genus, with the new species S. bellensis sp. nov., in the subfamily Candoninae in the family Candonidae. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The p38 mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPK) are a kind of Ser/Thr protein kinases that convert extracellular stimuli into a wide range of cellular response, appearing to function not only in stress stimuli but also in development. To explore the function of p38 MAPK in Palaemon carinicauda Holthuis, 1950, we cloned and characterized the full-length cDNA sequence (GenBank accession number KX893515) (designated as Pc-p38). The results showed that the open reading frame (ORF) of Pc-p38 was 1098 bp and it encoded a protein of 365 amino acids. Pc-p38 contained the conserved structures of a Thr-Gly-Tyr (TGY) motif and a substrate-binding site, Ala-Thr-Arg-Trp (ATRW), and was shown to have a close phylogenetic relationship to other p38 MAPKs in crustaceans. The tissue distribution patterns showed that Pc-p38 was widely expressed in all tissues, with highest expression in the hepatopancreas and ovary. Quantitative real-time PCR revealed that Pc-p38 was upregulated during ecdysis, reaching a peak at 5 min post-moult, suggesting that Pcp38 may be involved in muscle remodeling after moulting. In addition, the expression of Pc-p38 increased following exposure to different concentrations of mercury, in a dose- and time-dependent manner. In conclusion, an Pc-p38 gene was cloned and its role determined at different times postmoult and after stress from different concentrations of mercury, to further reveal the possible functions of p38 MAPK in P. carinicauda. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A new species of the family Niphargidae, Niphargus zarosiensis sp. nov., is described from samples collected in 2016 from a spring draining into Lake Zaros on Crete Island, Greece. This is the first record of the genus Niphargus from a spring on Crete south of the Ida Mountains. Two other Niphargus-species on Crete are known: Niphargus impexus Karaman, 2016 and Niphargus lakusici Karaman, 2017. N. zarosiensis sp. nov. is closely related to N. impexus described from northern Crete. The differences to N. lakusici are more obvious. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A new species of the corophiid gammaridean amphipods belonging to the rare genus Eocorophium Bousfield & Hoover, 1997 was collected from Korean waters. The new species is fully illustrated and compared with related species. This is the first record of the genus Eocorophium from Korea. A key to the species of Eocorophium is also provided. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]