Search

Macpherson, Enrique (2023): G.C.B. Poore and S.T. Ahyong. Marine Decapod Crustacea. A Guide to Families and Genera of the World. CSIRO Publishing, CRC Press, 916 pp. Zootaxa 5271 (1): 188-190, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5271.1.12, URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5271.1.12

Unravelling the evolutionary history of taxa requires solid delimitation of the traits characterising these. This can be challenging especially in groups with a highly complex taxonomy. The squat lobster family Munididae contains more than 450 species distributed among 21 genera, Munida being the most speciose (~300 species). Previous phylogenetic studies, based on a small part of the diversity of the group, have suggested polyphyletic origins for Munida and the paraphyly of Munididae. Here, we use an integrative approach based on multi-locus phylogenies (two mitochondrial and three nuclear markers) paired with 120 morphological characters, to resolve taxonomic and evolutionary relationships within Munididae. Our study covers ~60% of the family’s known diversity (over 800 specimens of 291 species belonging to 19 of the 21 genera collected from the Atlantic, Indian and Pacific oceans). Using this information, we confirm the validity of most genera, proposing new ones in cases where the genetic analyses are compatible with morphological characters. Four well-defined munidid clades were recovered, suggesting that new genera should be erected in the currently recognised Munididae (three for the genus Agononida and eleven in Munida), and the genus Grimothea is resurrected. A key to all genera of the family is presented. Molecular clock estimates and ancestral biogeographic area reconstructions complement the taxonomic profiles and suggest some explosive diversification within Munididae during the Cretaceous and the Palaeogene. Further anagenetic events and narrow sympatry accounting for changes in distribution indicate a more limited dispersal capacity than previously considered. Our study unravels how diversification may occur in deep waters and further highlights the importance of the integrative approach in accurately delineating species in understanding the history of a family and the factors driving the evolution. ZooBank LSID: urn:lsid:zoobank.org:pub:16A61C4A-8D96-4372-820F-8EBDF179B43C

Este artículo contiene 35 páginas, 6 figuras, 5 tablas., The history of colonization and dispersal of fauna among deep-sea chemosynthetic ecosystems remains enigmatic and poorly understood. The distribution of squat lobsters of the genus Munidopsis Whiteaves, 1874 can be influenced by the rich organic matter and associated organism communities of chemosynthetic ecosystems. The present work analyzed the molecular relationships and morphology of individuals from different populations of Munidopsis exuta Macpherson & Segonzac, 2005 and M. geyeri Pequegnat & Pequegnat, 1970 in such ecosystems along the Atlantic Equatorial Belt, including the Chapopote Knoll, in the southern Gulf of Mexico. Munidopsis geyeri is re-described based on the present findings and reference to the literature. This analysis documented the genetic distances, as well as range of variation in the diagnostic characters that support the separation of M. exuta and M. geyeri. Our results confirm that the two species coexist in seep ecosystems and have an amphi-Atlantic distribution., The national and international projects that funded the present research included collaborations between the Re-search Center Ocean Margins (RCOM) of Bremen University, Germany, Study of the process related with fluid seep-age in oceanic ground (E project); the Instituto de Ciencias del Mar y Limnología, UNAM, Mexico, for open access payment; Factores que definen la variabilidad de la diversidad biológica y biomasa en el mar profundo del Golfo de México (PAPIIT), CONACyT 40158F. Molecular analysis was supported by the international collaboration between the University of Louisiana at Lafayette under funding to Darrly L. Felder from U.S. National Science Foundation grants NSF/BS&I DEB-0315995 and NSF/AToL EF-0531603, as well as from Texas A&M University and the Cen-tre d’Estudis Avançats de Blanes (CEAB-CSIC). RR wishes to acknowledge PRODEP-SEP, Mexico, through the program “Apoyo a la Incorporación de NPTC” (Ago/1/2018– Jul/31/2019). Illustrations of Mundiopsis geyeri (Figs 6C, D, E, I, J and N) were produced by Cassandra Robles Flores.

The genus Phylladiorhynchus Baba, 1969 currently contains 11 species, all occurring in the shallow waters and on the continental shelf of the Indian and Pacific oceans. Recent expeditions in these oceans have resulted in the collection of numerous new specimens in need of analysis. We have studied this material using an integrative approach analysing both morphological and molecular (COI and 16S) characters. We describe 41 new species and resurrect three old names: P. integrus (Benedict, 1902) and P. lenzi (Rathbun, 1907), previously synonymized with P. pusillus (Henderson, 1885), and P. serrirostris (Melin, 1939), previously synonymized with P. integrirostris (Dana, 1852). Most species of the genus are described and illustrated. Some species are barely discernible on the basis of morphological characters but are highly divergent genetically. Species of Phylladiorhynchus are mainly distinguishable by the number of epigastric spines and lateral spines of the carapace, the shape and the armature of the rostrum, the number and pattern of the ridges on the carapace and pleon, the shape of thoracic sternite 3 and the armature of the P2–4 dactyli. A dichotomous identification key to all species is provided.

The ecology, abundance and diversity of galatheoid squat lobsters make them and ideal group to study deep-sea diversification processes. Here, we reconstructed the evolutionary and biogeographic history of Leiogalathea, a genus of circum-tropical deep-sea squat lobsters, in order to compare patterns and processes that have affected shallow-water and deep-sea squat lobster species. We first built a multilocus phylogeny and a calibrated species tree with a relaxed clock using StarBEAST2 to reconstruct evolutionary relationships and divergence times among Leiogalathea species. We used BioGeoBEARS and a DEC model, implemented in RevBayes, to reconstruct ancestral distribution ranges and the biogeographic history of the genus. Our results showed that Leiogalathea is monophyletic and comprises four main lineages; morphological homogeneity is common within and between clades, except in one; the reconstructed ancestral range of the genus is in the Atlantic and Indian oceans (Tethys). They also revealed the divergence of the Atlantic species around 25 million years ago (Ma), intense cladogenesis 15–25 Ma and low levels of speciation over the last 5 million years (Myr). The four Leiogalathea lineages showed similar patterns of speciation: allopatric speciation followed by range expansion and subsequent stasis. Leiogalathea started diversifying during the Oligocene, likely in the Tethyan. The Atlantic lineage then split from its Indo-Pacific sister group due to vicariance driven by closure of the Tethys Seaway. The Atlantic lineage is less speciose compared with the Indo-Pacific lineages, with the Tropical Southwestern Pacific being the current centre of diversity. Leiogalathea diversification coincided with cladogenetic peaks in shallow-water genera, indicating that historical biogeographic events similarly shaped the diversification and distribution of both deep-sea and shallow-water squat lobsters., This study was partially supported by projects of the Spanish Ministry of Economy and Competitiveness (CTM2014-57949-R and CTM2017-88080) and performed within the scope of the PIC2018 project GALETTE (Galatheoidea lobster adaptations to deep-sea environments), co-funded by the CNRS and the CSIC.

During two deep-sea expeditions off the island of Guadeloupe, French West Indies, several specimens belonging to MunidaLeach, 1820 and MunidopsisWhiteaves, 1874 (Galatheoidea) were collected. Further study, integrating morphological and molecular data, indicated that some of the specimens belonged to three undescribed species, one to Munida and two to Munidopsis. Munida anteaen. sp. is morphologically closely related to the Atlantic species M. microphthalma A. Milne-Edwards, 1880. Both species can be easily distinguished morphologically and represent independent evolutionary lineages. The closest relative to Munidopsis balconin. sp. is M. glabraPequegnat & Williams, 1995 from the Gulf of Mexico. They can be distinguished by the armature of the carapace and pereiopods, among other differences. Munidopsis pholidotan. sp. is sister to M. squamosa (A. Milne-Edwards, 1880) and both are considered cryptic species, distinguished only by molecular characters and subtle morphological differences like the number of epipodites. Our phylogenetic results show some monophyletic groups within Munidopsis and Munida, and the existence of morphological convergences.

Este artículo contiene 258 páginas, 8 tablas, 219 figuras., Background The growing interest in mineral resources of the deep sea, such as seafloor massive sulphide deposits, has led to an increasing number of exploration licences issued by the International Seabed Authority. In the Indian Ocean, four licence areas exist, resulting in an increasing number of new hydrothermal vent fields and the discovery of new species. Most studies focus on active venting areas including their ecology, but the non-vent megafauna of the Central Indian Ridge and South East Indian Ridge remains poorly known. In the framework of the Indian Ocean Exploration project in the German license area for seafloor massive sulphides, baseline imagery and sampling surveys were conducted yearly during research expeditions from 2013 to 2018, using video sledges and Remotely Operated Vehicles. New information This is the first report of an imagery collection of megafauna from the southern Central Indian- and South East Indian Ridge, reporting the taxonomic richness and their distribution. A total of 218 taxa were recorded and identified, based on imagery, with additional morphological and molecular confirmed identifications of 20 taxa from 89 sampled specimens. The compiled fauna catalogue is a synthesis of megafauna occurrences aiming at a consistent morphological identification of taxa and showing their regional distribution. The imagery data were collected during multiple research cruises in different exploration clusters of the German licence area, located 500 km north of the Rodriguez Triple Junction along the Central Indian Ridge and 500 km southeast of it along the Southeast Indian Ridge., This study was funded by the Federal Institute for Geosciences and Natural Resources.

Este artículo contiene 10 páginas, 6 figuras, 1 tabla., Dispersal is one of the main determining factors of population structure. In the marine habitat, well-connected populations with large numbers of reproducing individuals are common but even so population structure can exist on a small-scale. Variation in dispersal patterns between populations or over time is often associated to geographic distance or changing oceanographic barriers. Consequently, detecting structure and variation in dispersal on a fine-scale within marine populations still remains a challenge. Here we propose and use a novel approach of combining a clustering model, early-life history trait information from fish otoliths, spatial coordinates and genetic markers to detect very fine-scale dispersal patterns. We collected 1573 individuals (946 adults and 627 juveniles) of the blackfaced blenny across a small-scale (2 km) coastline as well as at a larger-scale area (, We are grateful to the Southwest Fisheries Science Center Molecular Ecology and Genetic Analysis Team for support in the lab and helpful comments and Jinliang Wang for his help in converting relatedness into a distance measurement. This work was partially funded by the Spanish Ministry of Science and Innovation through the CTM2017-88080 (AEI/FEDER, UE) project. The authors C.S., M.P. and E.M. are part of the research groups 2017SGR-1120 and 2017SGR-378 of the Generalitat de Catalunya.

Este artículo contiene 18 páginas, 5 figuras., Munida diritas sp. nov. is described for the seamounts near Desventuradas Islands, in the intersection of the Salas & Gómez and Nazca Ridges, Chile. Specimens of the new species were collected in the summit ( 200mdepth) of one seamount and observed by ROV at two nearby ones. This species is characterized by the presence of distinct carinae on the thoracic sternites 6 and 7. Furthermore, it is not related with any species from the continental shelf nor the slope of America, while it is closely related to species of Munida from French Polynesia and the West-Pacific Ocean (i.e., M. ommata, M. psylla and M. rufiantennulata). In situ observations indicate that the species lives among the tentacles of ceriantarid anemones and preys on small crustaceans. The discovery of this new species adds to the knowledge of the highly endemic benthic fauna of seamounts of the newly created Nazca-Desventuradas Marine Park, emphasizing the relevance of this area for marine conservation., This work was supported by grants (CONA C22 16-09, FONDECYT 1181153, FONDEQUIP EQM 150109) and ANID-Millennium Science Initiative Program-ESMOI. Beca Magister Nacional CONICYT # 22190560 (now ANID) to Jan M. Tapia Guerra, Beca Postdoctorado Universidad Católica del Norte No 003 to María de los Ángeles Gallardo.

Este artículo contiene 8 páginas, 5 figuras., The French carcinologist and oceanographer Alain Crosnier (1930–2021) had a most influential role in modern carcinology. This tribute reviews his contributions to organising oceanographic expeditions; expanding collections of specimens, particularly from the deep sea; and supporting international collaboration for taxonomic investigations of the rich collections of material obtained from these expeditions. His expertise and enthusiasm also extended to the publication of the results of these investigations.

Este artículo contiene 13 páginas, 5 figuras, 2 tablas., Dispersal is a key process shaping species population structure. In demersal marine fishes, which usually have sedentary adult phases, dispersion relies on drifting larval stages. However, the dynamics and seasonal variability of seawater masses can greatly determine the connectivity patterns of these species along the same geographic gradient. For this reason, detailed information on the release moment of larvae is needed to obtain accurate patterns of connectivity. In this study, we performed backtracking Lagrangian particle dispersion simulations, with individual-based early life traits data, obtained from otolith reading for 1413 juveniles of nine fish species belonging to three families (Sparidae, Pomacentridae and Labridae). For each species, individuals had been sampled from four to seven localities in the western Mediterranean Sea between the Gulf of Lion to the Gibraltar Strait. These nine species reproduce in different seasons of the year and their pelagic larval duration (PLD) range from 7 to 43 days. We identified three hydrodynamic units separated by oceanographic discontinuities (Balearic Sea, West Algerian Basin and Alboran Sea) with low settler’s exchange according to our simulations, independently of the PLD and reproductive season of the species. Hatching date and PLD showed significant effects on larval dispersal distance and orientation, both at the intraspecific and interspecific levels, highlighting the importance of these variables in determining the geographic origin of individuals. Our multispecies modelling approach adds a step forward for an accurate description of larval dispersion and recruitment, key to understand population resilience and define management strategies., This work was supported by the Spanish Government project ‘Pop- COmics’ (CTM2017-88080) (MCIU, AEI/FEDER, UE) and by the European FP7 CoCoNet project (Ocean 2011-4, grant agreement #287844). The authors CC and MP are members of the research group SGR2017-1120 and EM of SGR2017-378 (Catalan Government). HT was supported by a PhD scholarship funded by the Spanish Ministry of Science, Innovation and Universities. The authors acknowledge the MEDCLIC project, funded by “La Caixa” Foundation, contributing to the development of the WMOP hydrodynamic model.

Este artículo contiene 7 páginas, 2 figuras., Munida vassilyi sp.n. and M. hastata sp.n. are described from Kei Islands, Indonesia. Munida vassilyi sp.n. is morphologically related to M. runcinata, from New Caledonia, Vanuatu, Wallis and Futuna, Fiji and Tonga, whereas M. hastata sp.n. is more similar to M. aurantiaca from Papua – New Guinea. Pairwise genetic distances estimated using the COI and 16S rRNA gene fragments indicated high levels of sequence divergence between each new species and their most closely related allies., The study was partially supported by the GALETTE project (Galatheoidea lobster adaptations to deep sea environments), co-funded by the CNRS (France) and the CSIC (Spain) (2018FR0053).

Este artículo contiene 14 páginas, 6 figuras, 2 tablas., Connectivity and local adaptation are two contrasting evolutionary forces highly infuencing population structure. To evaluate the impact of early-life traits and environmental conditions on genetic structuring and adaptation, we studied two sympatric fsh species in the Western Mediterranean Sea: Symphodus tinca and S. ocellatus. We followed an individual-based approach and measured early-life history traits from otolith readings, gathered information on environmental variables and obtained genome-wide markers from genotyping-by-sequencing (GBS). The two species presented contrasting population structure across the same geographic gradient, with high and signifcant population diferentiation in S. ocellatus, mostly determined by oceanographic fronts, and low diferentiation and no front efect in S. tinca. Despite their diferent levels of genetic diferentiation, we identifed in both species candidate regions for local adaptation by combining outlier analysis with environmental and phenotypic association analyses. Most candidate loci were associated to temperature and productivity in S. ocellatus and to temperature and turbulence in S. tinca suggesting that diferent drivers may determine genomic diversity and diferentiation in each species. Globally, our study highlights that individual-based approach combining genomic, environmental and phenotypic information is key to identify signals of selection and the processes mediating them., Tis work was supported by the Spanish Government projects ‘ChallenGen’ (CTM2013-48163) and ‘PopCOmics’ (CTM2017-88080) (MCIU, AEI/FEDER, UE) and by the European FP7 CoCoNet project (Ocean 2011-4, Grant Agreement #287844). Te authors CC and MP are members of the research group SGR2017-1120 and EM of SGR2017-378 (Catalan Government). HT was supported by a PhD scholarship funded by the Spanish Ministry of Science, Innovation and Universities (FPU15/02390).

Este artículo contiene 12 páginas, 3 figuras., Examination of numerous specimens of squat lobsters of the genus Eumunida Smith, 1883 collected by French cruises along the coasts of New Caledonia, the Solomon Islands and Papua-New Guinea revealed the presence of six species, including a new species. The collection data of all of these species are recorded. The new species, E. turbulenta n. sp., is described and illustrated from New Caledonia and Chesterfield Islands., The study was partially supported by the projects of the Spanish Ministry of Economy and Competitiveness (CTM2014-57949-R and CTM2013-48163-C2). EM is part of the research group 2014SGR-120 of the Generalitat de Catalunya.

Apart from directly influencing individual life histories of species, climate change is altering key biotic interactions as well, causing community processes to unravel. With rising temperatures, disruptions to producer-consumer relationships can have major knock-on effects, particularly when the producer is a habitat-forming species. We studied how sea surface temperature (SST) modifies multiple pathways influencing the interaction between the foundational seagrass species, Posidonia oceanica, and its main consumer, the fish Sarpa salpa in the Mediterranean Sea. We used a combination of a field-based temperature gradient approaches and experimental manipulations to assess the effect of temperature on seagrass performance (growth) and fish early life history (larval development) as well as on the interaction itself (seagrass palatability and fish foraging activity). Within the range of temperatures assessed, S. salpa larvae grew slightly faster at warmer conditions but maintained their settlement size, resulting in a relatively small reduction in pelagic larval duration (PLD) and potentially reducing dispersion. Under warmer conditions (>24 ºC), P. oceanica reduced its growth rate considerably and seemed to display fewer deterring mechanisms as indicated by a disproportionate consumption in choice experiments. However, our field-based observations along the temperature gradient showed no change in fish foraging time, or in other aspects of feeding behaviour. As oceans warm, our results indicate that, while S. salpa may show little change in early life history, its preference towards P. oceanica might increase, which, together with reduced seagrass growth, could considerably intensify the strength of herbivory. It is unclear if P. oceanica meadows can sustain such an intensification, but it will clearly add to the raft of pressures this threatened ecosystem already faces from global and local environmental change., The Spanish Ministry of Science funded this research through RECCAM project (CMT2013-48027-C03-R) and the UMBRAL project (CTM2017-86695-C3-3-R and CTM2017-86695-C3-1R). The Spanish National Research Council supported Rohan Arthur’s visitorship with the Memorandum of Understanding between CEAB-IMEDEA-NCF. Jordi F. Pages acknowledges financial support from the European Union’s Horizon 2020 research and innovation programme under the Marie Sklodowska-Curie grant agreement No 795315.

20 páginas, 4 figuras., Squat lobster specimens belonging to the family Munididae were recently collected along the southwestern coast of the mainland of India and in the Andaman Islands. The specimens belong to two known species, Agononida prolixa (Alcock, 1894) and Munida compacta Macpherson, 1997, and a new species, Paramunida bineeshi sp. nov. We here redescribe A. prolixa and describe and figure the new species. Munida compacta is newly recorded from India, and we figure the live coloration. In addition, molecular and phylogenetic analyses of two mitochondrial markers (16S rRNA and COI) revealed the phylogenetic relationships of M. compacta and P. bineeshi sp. nov. with their most closely related congeners. The genetic similarity among the individuals of M. compacta from different locations is also addressed.

Este artículo contiene 6 páginas, 3 figuras, 3 tablas., Patchy landscapes behave differently from continuous ones. Patch size can influence species behaviour, movement, feeding and predation rates, with flow-on consequences for the diversity of species that inhabit these patches. To understand the importance of patchiness on regional species pools, we measured decapod richness and abundance in several seagrass patches with contrasting sizes. Additionally, we evaluated potential drivers of patch-specific species distribution including resource abundance, predator habitat use and the structural complexity of patches. Our results showed a non-random distribution of decapod species: small patches were clear hotspots of diversity and abundance, particularly of larger-bodied epifaunal decapods. Interestingly, these hotspots were characterized by lower nutrient resources, lower canopy height, but also lower predator use. Small fish invertivores such as Coris julis and several species of Symphodus were mostly restricted to large patches. These resident predators may be critical in clumping predation in large patches with consequences for how biodiversity of their prey is distributed across the seascape. Our results highlight the idea that a habitat mosaic with both large and small seagrass patches would potentially bolster biodiversity because preys and predators may seek refuge in patches of different sizes., This research was funded by the Spanish Ministry of Science and Innovation (CTM2017-86695-C3-3-R) and supported J. B. (scholarship BES-2011-043630).

A new species of chirostylid squat lobster, Uroptychus tuerkayi sp. nov., is described based upon material collected by the French “Seamount 2” project (1993) from the Atlantis-Great Meteor Seamount Chain south of the Azores Islands, at a depth of 340-730 m. Uroptychus tuerkayi resembles U. maroccanus Türkay, 1976 from the Moroccan coast, but it can be readily distinguished by the eyes being distinctly longer instead of as long as broad (globular in U. maroccanus), the antennal article 5 with a small instead of prominent distomesial spine, the anterolateral spine of the carapace slightly smaller than or subequal to, instead of much smaller than the lateral orbital spine, the pterygostomian flap anteriorly acuminate and not strongly produced to a spine as in U. maroccanus, and in having pereopod 1 with obsolescent instead of distinct spines on the merus and carpus. This is the sixth species of Uroptychus from the eastern Atlantic. A key to the eastern Atlantic species of Uroptychus is provided.

Este artículo contiene 23 páginas, 6 figuras, 4 tablas., The taxonomy of Munida Leach, 1820 from the north-eastern Atlantic and Mediterranean Sea was studied using a comparative analysis of morphological characters and molecular markers (mitochondrial and nuclear). Generalized Mixed Yule Coalescence and the Poisson tree process models were used to delimit two groups of closely related species associated with uncertain nomenclature and taxonomic status: (1) Munida intermedia A. Milne Edwards & Bouvier, 1899, M. rugosa (Fabricius, 1775), M. sarsi Huus, 1935 and M. tenuimana Sars, 1872 and (2) M. rutllanti Zariquiey-Álvarez, 1952 and M. speciosa von Martens, 1878. We found that M. tenuimana is restricted to northern Atlantic waters (north of approx. 48° N), while Mediterranean and Bay of Biscay specimens previously assigned to this taxon actually belong to a different species, indicating that the name Munida perarmata A. Milne Edwards & Bouvier, 1894 should be resurrected. Furthermore, M. rutllanti is shown to be a junior synonym of M. speciosa, a species that has thus far only been reported along western Africa. In addition, three species are re-described and a key to European Munida is provided. The validity of the morphological characters used to distinguish the different species is discussed. Phylogenetic analyses revealed three independent lineages with unsolved relationships among them, including high genetic distances for some species. These findings indicate highly divergent lineages of the European Munida and several events of colonization along the eastern Atlantic., The study was partially supported by the projects of the Spanish Ministry of Economy and Competitiveness of Spain (CTM2014-57949-R and PopCOmics, CTM2017-88080, AEI/FEDER, UE and CTM2015-66400-C3-3-R, MINECO-FEDER).

Dispersal is a main determining factor of population structure and variation. In the marine habitat, well-connected populations with large numbers of reproducing individuals are common but even so population structure can exist on a small-scale. Variation in dispersal between populations or over time is often associated to both environmental and genetic variation. Nonetheless, detecting structure and dispersal variation on a fine-scale within marine populations still remains a challenge. Here we propose and use a novel approach of combining a clustering model, early-life history trait information from fish otoliths, spatial coordinates and genetic markers to detect very fine-scale dispersal patterns. We collected 1573 individuals (946 adults and 627 juveniles) of the black-faced blenny across a small-scale (2km) coastline as well as at a larger-scale area (

Este artículo contiene 56 páginas, 21 figuras, 2 tablas., The genus Leiogalathea Baba, 1969 currently contains only two benthic species both occurring on the continental shelves and slope: L. laevirostris (Balss, 1913), widely reported in the Indo-Pacific region, and L. agassizii (A. Milne Edwards, 1880), from both sides of the Central Atlantic. A certain degree of morphological variability linked to their geographic distributions was previously noticed, mostly in L. laevirostris. In the present study, we revise numerous specimens collected from the Atlantic, Indian and Pacific Oceans, analysing morphological and molecular characters (COI and 16S rRNA). We found 15 new species; all of them are distinguished from L. laevirostris and L. agassizii by subtle but constant morphological differences and show clear genetic separation. Furthermore, L. imperialis (Miyake & Baba, 1967), previously synonymized with L. laevirostris, was found to be a valid species. All species are described and illustrated. Species of the genus Leiogalathea are morphologically distinguishable on the basis of the spinulation of the carapace, the shape and the armature of the rostrum, the shape of the propodi of the walking legs, and the pattern of the setae covering on rostrum, carapace and chelae. Some species are barely discernible on the basis of these characters but are highly divergent genetically., The study was partially supported by the projects of the Spanish Ministry of Economy and Competitiveness (CTM2014-57949-R and CTM2013-48163-C2).

Este artículo contiene 12 páginas, 3 figuras, 2 tablas., Squat lobsters constitute an exceptional group to address evolutionary studies in marine species because of their high diversity at multiple taxonomic levels. The families included within Galatheoidea are characterized by morphological, molecular, and ecological differences. Previous phylogenetic reconstructions have considered either Galatheidae, Porcellanidae, or even Munidopsidae as the most derived family within Galatheoidea, but evolutionary relationships within the superfamily have not been fully resolved yet. In order to test previous phylogenetic hypotheses on the relative placement of Porcellanidae within the Galatheoidea, and further characterize mitochondrial gene order in Munidopsidae, the first complete mitochondrial genomic sequence of a Galatheidae squat lobster (Galathea aegyptiaca) and the partial mitogenome of Munidopsis polymorpha are reported here. These new sequences complement previous studies to include all extant families and provide further evidence on the importance of mitochondrial gene rearrangements in Galatheoidea. Implications of the new data on the evolution of carcinization within Anomura are also discussed., This research was funded by projects PopComics, CTM2017-88080 (AEI/FEDER, UE) and ConCoast (CTM2014-57949-R) of the Spanish Government. FP acknowledges a post-doctoral contract funded by the Beatriu de Pino´s Programme of the Generalitat de Catalunya.

Rodríguez-Flores, Paula C., Macpherson, Enrique, Machordom, Annie, Paula C. Rodríguez-Flores, Enrique Macpherson, Annie Machordom (2018): Three new species of squat lobsters of the genus Munidopsis Whiteaves, 1874, from Guadeloupe Island, Caribbean Sea (Crustacea, Decapoda, Munidopsidae). Zootaxa, 4422: 569-580. Zootaxa 4444: 600-600, DOI: https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.4444.5.8