The crustacean cuticle does not record chronological age: New evidence from the gastric mill ossicles.

A proposed method to determine chronological age of crustaceans uses putative annual bands in the gastric mill ossicles of the foregut. The interpretation of cuticle bands as growth rings is based on the idea that ossicles are retained through the moult and could accumulate a continuous record of age. However, recent studies presented conflicting findings on the dynamics of gastric mill ossicles during ecdysis. We herein study cuticle bands in ossicles in four species of commercially important decapod crustaceans (Homarus gammarus, Nephrops norvegicus, Cancer pagurus and Necora puber) in different phases of the moult cycle using dissections, light microscopy, micro-computed tomography and cryo-scanning electron microscopy. Our results demonstrate that the gastric mill is moulted and ossicles are not retained but replaced during ecdysis. It is therefore not plausible to conclude that ossicles register a lifetime growth record as annual bands and thereby provide age information. Other mechanisms for the formation of cuticle bands and their correlation to size-based age estimates need to be considered and the effect of moulting on other cuticle structures where 'annual growth bands' have been reported should be investigated urgently. Based on our results, there is no evidence for a causative link between cuticle bands and chronological age, meaning it is unreliable for determining crustacean age.

Decapod crustaceans from the state of Ceará, northeastern Brazil: an updated checklist of marine and estuarine species, with 23 new records.

The present study is the first major assessment of the marine decapod fauna of Ceará, northeastern Brazil, since contributions of J. Fausto-Filho in the 1960s-1970s. A fully updated checklist of all decapod crustaceans occurring in marine and estuarine habitats of Ceará is provided, based on literature records, specimens held in two carcinological collections of the Universidade Federal do Ceará (UFC), and material collected mainly by the authors between 2011 and 2014. A total of 337 decapod species are listed, distributed among the following taxa: Achelata (8 species), Anomura (42 species), Astacidea (1 species), Axiidea (11 species), Brachyura (162 species), Caridea (83 species), Dendrobranchiata (20 species), Gebiidea (9 species), and Stenopodidea (1 species). Among them, 23 species represent new records for Ceará, with 14 species, viz. Alpheus peasei (Armstrong, 1940), A. thomasi Hendrix & Gore, 1973, Ambidexter symmetricus Manning & Chace, 1971, Axianassa australis Rodrigues & Shimizu, 1992, Biffarius biformis (Biffar, 1971), B. fragilis (Biffar, 1970), Leptalpheus axianassae Dworschak & Coelho, 1999, L. forceps Williams, 1965, Lysmata bahia Rhyne & Lin, 2006, L. intermedia (Kingsley, 1878), Merhippolyte americana Holthuis, 1961, Neocallichirus maryae Karasawa, 2004, Ogyrides hayi Williams, 1981, and Typton carneus Holthuis, 1951, now having Ceará as the northern-most limit in their distribution range along the Brazilian coastline. One shrimp species, Lysmata lipkei Okuno & Fiedler, 2010, which was also found in the state of Rio Grande do Norte, possibly represents an invasive taxon in Brazil and the western Atlantic, originating from the Indo-West Pacific. Alpheus buckupi Almeida, Terossi, Araújo-Silva & Mantelatto, 2013, previously recorded from Ceará based on a colour photograph, is confirmed from this state, with specimens from several new localities. A few doubtful records from Ceará are briefly discussed. Colour photographs are provided for most of the taxa newly recorded from Ceará; some species are illustrated in colour for the first time.

Evaluación del crecimiento de Callinectes sapidus (Decapoda: Portunidae) con métodos basados en talla, Tamaulipas, México / Evaluation of the growth of Callinectes sapidus (Decapoda: Portunidae) by the use of lengthbased methods based on size in Tamaulipas, Mexico

ResumenLa captura de la jaiba azul (Callinectes sapidus) es una de las principales del Estado de Tamaulipas, México, tanto por su volumen y precio de venta, como por la generación de empleo, pero se cuenta con escasa información de sus características biológicas. El objetivo del presente estudio fue evaluar los parámetros de crecimiento de la jaiba azul, estableciendo el método más adecuado para realizarlo. Se estimó la frecuencia de tallas de 17 814 jaibas de muestreos realizados de enero a junio 2009, provenientes de la captura comercial de trece localidades, comprendidas en cuatro lagunas costeras: Laguna El Barril, Laguna Madre, Laguna de Morales y Laguna de San Andrés. Los parámetros de crecimiento se estimaron usando los métodos indirectos ELEFAN, PROJMAT y SLCA en combinación con la técnica jackknife para establecer la incertidumbre de las estimaciones inherentes a cada método. Los parámetros de crecimiento L∞ y k se unificaron para efectos comparativos mediante el índice de crecimiento phi prima (Φ’). Con una moda de 110 mm, el intervalo de longitud de caparazón varió entre 60 y 205 mm. Los valores de los parámetros de crecimiento variaron de acuerdo al método utilizado. Utilizando SLCA, L∞ varió entre 259 y 260 mm y k osciló entre 0.749 y 0.750/año; con PROJMAT, L∞ registró valores entre 205 y 260 mm y k fluctuó entre 0.550 y 0.740/año, y con ELEFAN, L∞ osciló entre 156 y 215 mm y k varió entre 0.479 y 0.848/año. Las estimaciones mediante jackknife detectaron nula variabilidad en Φ’ entre localidades y diferencias significativas entre métodos. Los rangos de valores de Φ’ estimados por SLCA y PROJMAT (4.70 a 4.71 y 4.66 a 4.70, respectivamente) se ubicaron en el rango reportado por la literatura (4.201-4.798), mientras que ELEFAN aportó valores significativamente menores (3.87 a 4.27). Los métodos SLCA y PROJMAT en combinación con la técnica jackknife, resultaron ser los más adecuados para estimar los parámetros de crecimiento de C. sapidus.

AbstractThe capture blue crab (Callinectes sapidus) is one of the major fisheries of the state of Tamaulipas, Mexico; both in volume and selling price, as well as employment generation, but there is little information on its biological characteristics. The aim of this study was to evaluate the growth parameters of the blue crab, establishing the most appropriate method. We estimated the length frequency of 17 814 crabs from commercial catch of thirteen locations, including four coastal lagoons. The lagoons were El Barril, Madre, Morales and San Andrés from Tamaulipas, State. Growth parameters were evaluated using indirect methods ELEFAN, PROJMAT and SLCA in combination with the jackknife technique to establish the uncertainty of estimates inherent in each method. The growth parameters L∞ and k were consolidated for purposes of comparison with the growth index phi prime (Φ’). With a mode of 110 mm, the interval carapace length varied between 60 and 205 mm. The values of the growth parameters varied according to the method used. Using SLCA, L∞ varied between 259 and 260 mm and k ranged between 0.749 and 0.750 /year; with PROJMAT, L∞ recorded values between 205 and 260 mm, k fluctuated between 0.550 and 0.740/year, and with ELEFAN, L∞ ranged between 156 and 215 mm and k varied between 0.479 and 0.848/year. Estimates by jackknife detected no variability in Φ’ between locations and significant differences between methods. The ranges of values of Φ’ and PROJMAT estimated SLCA (4.70 to 4.71 and 4.66 to 4.70, respectively) were in the range reported in the literature (4.201-4.798), while lower values ELEFAN contributed significantly (3.87 to 4.27). The SLCA and PROJMAT methods in combination with the jackknife technique, proved to be the most suitable to estimate the growth parameters of C. sapidus. Rev. Biol. Trop. 64 (2): 821-836. Epub 2016 June 01.

Morfogeometría del caparazón del cangrejo Damithrax spinosissimus (Decapoda: Mithracidae) en tres islas del Caribe suroccidental / Morfogeometry shell crab Damithrax spinosissimus (Decapoda: Mithracidae) on three islands in the southwestern Caribbean

ResumenEl cangrejo rey del Caribe Damithrax spinosissimus es un recurso pesquero catalogado en estado de vulnerabilidad y de cuya biología se conoce muy poco. Su distribución agregada en mosaico y la gran heterogeneidad ambiental dada por las características oceanográficas, paisajísticas y ecológicas del Caribe, pueden propiciar a que exista variabilidad fenotípica en función de la procedencia geográfica de los individuos. Por esta razón, el objetivo de esta investigación fue determinar si existe variabilidad morfogeométrica en los caparazones de ejemplares procedentes de tres islas del Caribe suroccidental: Providencia, Rosario y San Bernardo. La primera de ellas con una influencia netamente oceánica y las dos siguientes, cercanas al continente, con mayor influencia de las dinámicas costeras. Para ello se capturaron y fotografiaron 276 individuos: 103 hembras ovadas y 173 machos, sobre los cuales se realizaron análisis morfogeométricos, tomando 12 puntos anatómicos de referencia (Landmarks) en una de las mitades del caparazón. Las diferencias de tamaño entre sexos y entre orígenes geográficos se contrastaron mediante comparaciones pareadas de Fisher, el efecto alométrico se estimó mediante Análisis de Regresión Multivariada y el modelo de pendientes alométricas mediante Análisis Multivariado de Covarianza. La conformación promedio entre sexos y entre orígenes geográficos se computó de las deformaciones relativas, obtenidas mediante análisis de componentes principales; asimismo, las distancias Euclidianas entre las conformaciones promedio se utilizaron para construir un árbol con base en el algoritmo de Neighbour- Joining con una significancia calculada sobre 10 000 permutaciones. Los resultados mostraron diferencias en el tamaño y conformación del caparazón entre sexos y entre las tres islas, siendo más evidentes las diferencias en Providencia. Estos resultados pueden ser explicados de manera no excluyente por diferencias genéticas y plasticidad fenotípica debida a la heterogeneidad ambiental del sector. Este estudio, primero en su clase, es un aporte al conocimiento de la especie y de él se concluye que deberían existir estrategias de manejo diferentes para las tres islas.

AbstractThe Caribbean King Crab, Damithrax spinosissimus is a fishery resource, but few biological studies are available. Its patchy distribution, and the high environmental heterogeneity due to the oceanographic, landscape, and ecological characteristics of the Caribbean Sea, can favor the phenotypic variability according to the geographic origin. For this reason, the objective of our study was to determine morphometic variability in the carapace of the crabs from three Southwestern Caribbean islands: Providence, Rosario and San Bernardo. The former has an oceanic influence, whereas the two latter islands, which are closer to the mainland, have more influence of the coastal dynamic. A total of 276 individuals from the three islands were captured and photographed: 103 females and 173 males; their variation was analyzed from 12 anatomical landmarks marked on one half of the carapace. The differences in the carapace size were calculated using a Fisher’s pairwise comparison; the allometric effect was calculated by Multivariate Regression Analysis; and the Allometric model via Multivariate Analysis of Covariance. The average shape was calculated from the relative wraps RW obtained through PCA analysis; and the Euclidian distances between the shape averages, were used to construct a tree using the Neighbour-Joining algorithm over 10 000 permutations. The results showed significant differences in the size and shape of the carapace between sexes and among the three islands. The differences in the shape of the crabs from Providencia were significantly greater than those found between the crabs of Rosario and San Bernardo. These results can be explained inclusively due to the genetic differences and phenotypic plasticity, due to environmental heterogeneity of the sector. This study, the first of its kind, is a contribution to the knowledge of the species. We concluded that different management strategies should be differently adopted in each of the three studied islands. Rev. Biol. Trop. 64 (2): 667-681. Epub 2016 June 01.

New records of the striped cleaner shrimp Lysmata grabhami (Gordon, 1935) from Brazil, Southwestern Atlantic / Novos registros do camarão limpador Lysmata grabhami (Gordon, 1935) no Brasil, Atlântico Sul Ocidental

Abstract New records for Lysmata grabhami (Gordon, 1935) in Brazilian waters are presented. Four adult individuals from coastal waters off the city of Vitória, Espírito Santo coast and one adult from Trindade Island were collected during scuba diving in depths between 20-40 meters. These two records represent the southernmost published finding of this species in the Atlantic and the record for Vitória, Espirito Santo is the first from Brazilian coastal waters.

Resumo Novos registros de ocorrência de Lysmata grabhami (Gordon, 1935) em águas brasileiras são apresentados. Quatro indivíduos foram coletados próximo à costa da cidade de Vitória, Espírito Santo, e um na Ilha da Trindade, por mergulhadores autônomos em profundidades entre 20-40 metros. O presente registro é a ocorrência mais meridional conhecida para esta espécie no Atlântico e o registro em Vitória é o primeiro para águas costeiras brasileiras.

Population structure of the red mangrove crab, Goniopsis cruentata (Decapoda: Grapsidae) under different fishery impacts: Implications for resource management / Estructura de la población del cangrejo rojo de manglar, Goniopsis cruentata (Decapoda: Grapsidae) bajo diferentes impactos de pesca: Implicaciones para la gestión de los recursos

The red mangrove crab, Goniopsis cruentata, influences the recruitment and composition of plant species in the mangrove ecosystem and it is an important fishery resource. Nevertheless, no current management and conservation plans are available for this species for the Brazilian coast. This investigation evaluated the population structure and reproductive biology in populations of G. cruentata under contrasting fishery pressures. The sampling program was carried out in two mangroves, Vaza-Barris and Sergipe River, from January through December 2011. Crabs from both mangroves were randomly collected by a professional fisherman during daytime low tide periods, using a fishing rod baited with pieces of a locally abundant gastropod, Pugilina morio, during 20min/area (catch per unit effort). Monthly measurements of air, sediment surface layer and water temperatures were obtained with a digital thermometer and salinity with an optical refractometer. Both crab populations were compared concerning their abundance, body size, sex ratio, size at onset of sexual maturity and fecundity (FI). Abiotic factors (air, water and mud temperature; and salinity) showed no significant differences between sampling localities. A total of 4 370 crabs were sampled, 2 829 from the Sergipe River and 1 541 from the Vaza-Barris River. The abundance and body size of crabs were compared between mangroves, and statistically significant differences were found. The sex ratio for both populations differed from the expected 1:1 ratio, and a significant deviation in favor of juvenile males was obtained, while adults showed a bias toward females. The estimated size at onset of sexual maturity for both sexes was similar in both populations. However, the populations differed significantly in the number and volume of eggs: a higher FI was obtained in females from the Sergipe River, while a higher egg volume was observed in females from the Vaza-Barris River mangrove. These results indicated a tendency to decrease the body size, the abundance of crabs and the reproductive potential of the species, with higher fishing intensities, reinforcing the need to develop a management plan as well as to establish conservation units for G. cruentata in the Northeastern Brazilian coast. Habitat loss in conjunction with long-term overfishing can have irreversible consequences, which can impact not only the populations of commercially exploited crabs, but the dynamics of virtually the entire mangrove ecosystem.

El cangrejo rojo Goniopsis cruentata influye en el reclutamiento y la composición de especies vegetales del ecosistema manglar y es un importante recurso pesquero. Sin embargo hasta la fecha, no se han desarrollado planes de manejo y conservación para esta especie en Brasil. La presente investigación evaluó la estructura poblacional y la biología reproductiva de las poblaciones de G. cruentata expuestas a diferentes presiones de pesca. El muestreo se realizó en dos manglares, Río Sergipe y Río Vaza-Barris entre enero y diciembre 2011. En ambos manglares, los animales fueron recolectados de día durante la marea baja por un pescador profesional, utilizando una caña de pescar con carnada del gasterópodo Pugilina morio, durante 20min/área (captura por unidad de esfuerzo, CPUE). Mensualmente con un termómetro digital se registró la temperatura del aire, agua y capa superficial del sedimento, mientras que la salinidad fue cuantificada utilizando un refractómetro óptico. Las poblaciones fueron comparadas en su abundancia, tamaño corporal, proporción de sexos, talla de primera madurez sexual y fecundidad. Los factores abióticos(temperatura del aire, agua y sedimento y la salinidad) no mostraron diferencias significativas entre ambos sitios de muestreo. Se recolectaron un total de 4 370 cangrejos; 2 829 en el río Sergipe y 1 541 en Vaza-Barris. Se registraron diferencias significativas entre los manglares con respecto a la abundancia y el tamaño corporal de los animales. La proporción de sexos de ambas poblaciones difirió de la relación 1:1 esperada y se obtuvo una desviación significativa en favor de machos jóvenes, mientras que los adultos mostraron una tendencia hacia las hembras. A su vez, las poblaciones difirieron significativamente en el número de huevos, con un mayor IF para las hembras del manglar del río Sergipe. El volumen de los huevos también mostró diferencias significativas entre ambas poblaciones. Estos resultados indican que la alta intensidad de pesca podría estar afectando dichos parámetros, lo que refuerza la necesidad de desarrollar un plan de manejo y la creación de unidades de conservación para G. cruentata en la costa noreste de Brasil. La pérdida del hábitat junto con la sobrepesca a largo plazo, pueden tener consecuencias irreversibles, que afectan no sólo a las poblaciones de cangrejos de importancia comercial, sino también la dinámica del ecosistema de manglar.

Freshwater decapods of Puerto Rico: a checklist and reports of new localities.

An updated checklist of the freshwater decapod species of Puerto Rico is presented based on records of shrimp and crab species whose presence has been confirmed in Puerto Rico as a result of extensive field collections, examination of carcinological collections, literature review, and personal communications from researchers. The freshwater decapods fauna of Puerto Rico consists of 18 species of shrimps belonging to eight genera and three families, and one species of crab belonging to the family Pseudothelphusidae.

Cardiovascular system of the Majidae (Crustacea: Decapoda).

The cardiovascular system of majid crabs was mapped using corrosion casting techniques. The general form of the circulatory system was comparable to that of other malacostracan crustaceans, but with distinct differences between several arterial systems. The anterior aorta exited from the anterior surface of the heart supplying hemolymph to the antennae, eyestalks, gastric muscles and brain. This artery was more complex compared with other decapods. The anterolateral arteries exited from the anterior dorsal surface of the heart and supplied hemolymph to the hypodermis, stomach, antennal gland and mandibular muscles. The hepatic arteries were larger and more complex compared with other decapod families, branching profusely within the hepatopancreas and gonads. The small posterior aorta exited from the posterior-ventral surface of the heart. Standard sex-specific differences in this artery were observed. Exiting from the ventral surface of the heart, the sternal artery supplied each pereiopod in a segmental arrangement. The sternal artery arrangement was different to other brachyuran crabs, possibly a symplesiomorphy with segmented ancestors. In accordance with anatomical descriptions of blue crabs and Cancer crabs it would also seem appropriate to classify the circulatory system of the Majidae as one that is "incompletely closed".

CHH family peptides from an 'eyeless' deep-sea hydrothermal vent shrimp, Rimicaris kairei: characterization and sequence analysis.

The crustacean eyestalk synthesizes and secretes several structurally-related peptides belonging to the crustacean hyperglycemic hormone (CHH) family, which are considered major physiological regulators during the crustacean life cycle. However, it is intriguing that eyestalks of many hydrothermal vent crustaceans prove to have varying degrees of reduction. In the present study, we characterized full-length cDNAs encoding two important eyestalk hormones of the CHH family, CHH and VIH (vitellogenesis-inhibiting hormone), from the 'eyeless' hydrothermal vent shrimp Rimicaris kairei. The two isoforms of Chh cDNA were 1027 and 1877 bp in length, respectively, and the deduced preprohormones contained 137 and 138 aa, respectively. The Vih cDNA was 907 bp in length, encoding a putative preprohormone of 113 aa. When compared with other known protein sequences of CHHs and VIHs, these polypeptides from hydrothermal vents show high similarity with their non-vent counterparts. These results may provide evidence for the mechanisms of eyestalk reduction and vent-adapting evolution of crustaceans. The hydrothermal vent shrimp with reduced eyestalks may take a different evolutionary pathway than eyestalk-holding crustaceans, and the reduced eyestalks can be considered a good example for the investigation of the diversity of crustacean evolution in different environments.

Phylogenetic relationships between spiny, slipper and coral lobsters (Crustacea, Decapoda, Achelata).

Molecular data can aid in the resolution of conflicting hypotheses generated through difficulties in the interpretation of morphological data and/or an incomplete fossil record. Moreover, the reconstruction of phylogenetic relationships using molecular data may help to trace back the origin of morphological innovations which had a major impact on the radiation of a taxonomical group. In this work, different nuclear (18S, 28S, and H3) and mitochondrial (16S and COI) gene regions were sequenced in a total of 35 Achelatan species to test conflicting hypotheses of evolutionary relationships within the Achelata infraorder and solve the taxonomic disagreements in the group. The combined molecular dataset strongly supports the hypothesis that Achelata is a monophyletic group composed of two main families: Palinuridae and Scyllaridae. Synaxidae is found to be a polyphyletic group, which should be included within Palinuridae. Consequently, our results indicate that the origin of the stridulating organ occurred only once during Achelata evolution. Finally, the two main clades found within the Scyllaridae are in agreement with previous inferences based on adult morphological data. The dating of divergence of Achelata obtained with a relaxed-clock model is compatible with previous hypotheses of a Triassic origin of the Achelata.

Propuesta de sinonimia para las especies de cangrejo dulceacuícola Hypolobocera solimani e Hypolobocera triangula de Colombia

A proposal to synonymize the freshwater crab species Hypolobocera solimani and Hypolobocera triangula from Colombia. It is proposed that Hypolobocera solimani and H. triangula be considered junior synonyms of H. alata and H. rotundilobata, respectively. We state that the following morphological differences represent natural variations within the population: a) first male gonopod, third maxilliped and larger cheliped between H. alata and H. solimani, and b) the differences of the first male gonopod between H. rotundilobata and H. triangula. Rev. Biol. Trop. 56 (3): 987-994. Epub 2008 September 30.

Se propone considerar las especies H. solimani e H. triangula como sinónimos de H. alata e H. rotundilobata, respectivamente. Se afirma que las diferencias morfológicas a) del primer gonopodo, del tercer maxilipedo y de la quela mayor entre H. alata e H. solimani y b) las diferencias del primer gonopodo entre H. rotundilobata e H. triangula, no son significativas y se originan en variaciones naturales propias de las poblaciones.

Decapod crustaceans in fresh waters of southeastern Bahia, Brazil

A total of 117 species of freshwater decapod crustaceans are known from Brazil. Knowledge regarding the fauna of Decapoda from inland waters in the state of Bahia, northeast Brazil, is incipient. In spite of its wide territory and rich hydrographic net, only 13 species of limnetic decapods have been reported from that state. The objective of this contribution was to survey decapod crustaceans of some hydrographic basins in southeastern Bahia. The material described herein was obtained in samplings conducted between 1997 and 2005. voucher specimens were deposited in the carcinological collections of the Museu de Zoologia, Universidade Estadual de Santa Cruz, Ilhéus, Brazil, and Departamento de Oceanografia, Universidade Federal de Pernambuco, Recife, Brazil. A total of 13 species was collected. The carideans were represented by the atyids Atya scabra (Leach, 1815) and Potimirim potimirim (Müller, 1881) and the palaemonids Macrobrachium acanthurus (Wiegmann, 1836), M. amazonicum (Heller, 1862), M. carcinus (Linnaeus, 1758), M. heterochirus (Wiegmann, 1836), M. jelskii (Miers, 1877), M. olfersi (Wiegmann, 1836), and Palaemon (Palaemon) pandaliformis (Stimpson, 1871). The brachyurans were represented by the portunids Callinectes bocourti A. Milne-Edwards, 1879 and C. sapidus Rathbun, 1895, the trichodactylid Trichodactylus fluviatilis Latreille, 1828 and the panopeid Panopeus rugosus A. Milne-Edwards, 1881. Macrobrachium heterochirus represents a new record from Bahia, and M. amazonicum is reported for the first time in southeast Bahia. The occurrence of two extreme different forms of T. fluviatilis was observed. Form A is characterized by the frontal margin of carapace bordered by conspicuous granules, the anterolateral margin provided with developed teeth plus granules, and the posterolateral margin provided with granulation similar to that found on the front. In form B the frontal margin is smooth or has an inconspicuous granulation; the anterolateral margin is usually provided with 1-3 notches, and teeth (1-2), if present, are small; and the posterolateral margin is smooth or slightly granulated. Rev. Biol. Trop. 56 (3): 12251254. Epub 2008 September 30.

Se conoce un total de 117 especies de crustáceos decápodos de agua dulce en Brasil. El conocimiento de la fauna de decápodos de las aguas continentales en el estado de Bahia, noreste de Brasil, es incipiente. A pesar de su amplio territorio y una rica red hidrográfica, solo se conoce de 13 especies de decápodos limnéticos en ese estado. El objetivo de este proyecto fue estudiar los crustáceos decápodos de algunas cuencas hidrográficas en el sureste de Bahia. El material descrito aquí se obtuvo de muestreos llevados a cabo entre 1997 y 2005. Los especímenes testigo se depositaron en las colecciones carcinológicas del Museo de Zoología, Universidade Estadual de Santa Cruz, Ilhéus, Brasil, y en el departamento de Oceanografía, Universidade Estadual de Santa Cruz, Ilhéus, Brasil. Se recolectó un total de 13 especies. Los carideos estuvieron representados por los átidos Atya scabra (Leach, 1815) y Potimirim potimirim (Müller, 1881) y los palaemónidos Macrobrachium acanthurus (Wiegmann, 1836), M. amazonicum (Heller, 1862), M. carcinus (Linnaeus, 1758), M. heterochirus (Wiegmann, 1836), M. jelskii (Miers, 1877), M. olfersi (Wiegmann, 1836), y Palaemon (Palaemon) pandaliformis (Stimpson, 1871). Los braquiuros estuvieron representados por los portúnidos Callinectes bocourti A. Milne-Edwards, 1879 y C. sapidus Rathbun, 1895, los tricodáctilos Trichodactylus fluviatilis Latreille, 1828 y el panopeido Panopeus rugosus A. Milne-Edwards, 1881. Macrobrachium heterochirus representa un nuevo registro en Bahia, y M. amazonicum se halló por primera vez en el sureste de Bahia. Se observó la existencia de dos formas diferentes extremas de T. fluviatilis. La forma A se caracteriza por el margen frontal del caparazón bordeado por gránulos conspicuos, el margen anterolateral presenta dientes desarrollados además de gránulos, y el margen posterolateral presenta granulación similar a la encontrada en el frontal. En la forma B el margen frontal es liso o tiene granulación incospicua; el margen anterolateral presenta usualmente 1-3 muescas, y los dientes, si están presentes (1-2), son pequeños; y el margen posterolateral es liso o levemente granulado.

The identification and distribution of gonadotropin-releasing hormone-like peptides in the central nervous system and ovary of the giant freshwater prawn, Macrobrachium rosenbergii.

In the present study, we demonstrated the existence of GnRH-like peptides in the central nervous system (CNS) and ovary of the giant freshwater prawn, Macrobrachium rosenbergii using immunocytochemistry. The immunoreactivity (ir) of lamprey (l) GnRH-III was detected in the soma of medium-sized neurons located in neuronal cluster number 11 in the middle part of supraesophageal ganglion (deutocerebrum), whereas ir-octopus (oct) GnRH was observed in the soma of both medium-sized and large-sized neurons in thoracic ganglia, as well as in the fibers innervating the other medium-sized and large-sized neuronal cell bodies in the thoracic ganglia. In addition, ir-lGnRH-I was observed in the cytoplasm of late previtellogenic oocyte and early vitellogenic oocyte. These data suggest that M. rosenbergii contain at least three isoforms of GnRH: two GnRH isoforms closely related to lGnRH-III and octGnRH in the CNS, whereas another isoform, closely related to lGnRH-I, was localized in the ovary. This finding provides supporting data that ir-GnRH-like peptide(s) may exist in this decapod crustacean.

Development and functional morphology of the foreguts of larvae and postlarvae of three crustacean decapods

The development of the foregut structure and the digestive function of the decapods Litopenaeus vannamei, Sesarma rectum and Callichirus major larvae and post larvae were examined. The protozoeal foregut of L. vannamei is simple, lacking a cardiopyloric valve and bearing a rudimentary filter press. In mysis, the filter press is more developed. In the juvenile stage, grooves and a small lateral tooth arise. In S. rectum, the foregut has a functional cardiopyloric valve and a filter press. The megalopal and juvenile stages of this species have a gastric mill similar to those in adult crabs. In C. major, the foregut of the zoeae is specialized, with the appearance of some rigid structures, but no gastric mill was found. Calcified structures are observed in the megalopae and they become more developed in the juvenile stage. The results support suppositions, previously reported in other studies, that feeding behavior of each larval and postlarval stage is directly related to the morphological characteristics of the foreguts.

O desenvolvimento da estrutura do estômago e da função digestiva foi examinada em larvas e pós-larvas de Litopenaeus vannamei, Sesarma rectum e Callichirus major. O estômago do protozoea de L. vannamei é muito simples, sem válvula cárdiopilórica e apresenta um filtro pilórico rudimentar. Em mysis, o filtro pilórico parece ser mais desenvolvido. No juvenil I surgem calhas e dentes laterais pouco desenvolvidos. Os estômagos dos zoeae de S. rectum possuem a válvula cárdiopilórica e o filtro pilórico funcionais. Nos estágios megalopa e juvenil I o moinho gástrico é complexo. Em C. major, os estômagos dos zoeae se mostram especializados exibindo algumas estruturas rígidas, mas não apresentam moinho gástrico. Esta estrutura surge no megalopa e juvenil I. Os resultados suportam suposições anteriores que o comportamento alimentar de larvas e pós-larvas está diretamente relacionado com as características morfológicas dos estômagos.

Vitellogenesis in both sexes of gonochoristic mud shrimp, Upogebia major (Crustacea): analyses of vitellogenin gene expression and vitellogenin processing.

The mud shrimp, Upogebia major is a gonochoristic species with distinct sexual dimorphism; however, the male has the "ovarian part of testis" in the gonad and mature-looking eggs appear in a similar reproductive cycle to the female. Vitellogenesis of U. major was investigated focusing on the characterization of vitellogenin (Vg) gene expression and Vg processing. Vg cDNA cloned by PCR-based methods was 7,799 bp-long, encoding 2,568 amino acids in a single open reading frame. The deduced amino acid sequence shared common characteristics conserved in other shrimp Vgs. The Vg gene was expressed in the hepatopancreas of females and males, the ovary, and the ovarian part of testis. Vitellins (Vns) were detected in the gonads of both females and males as three prominent polypeptides with apparent molecular masses of 82 kDa, 100 kDa, and 115 kDa. N-terminal amino acid sequences determined for the three polypeptides were present in the deduced amino acid sequence, demonstrating that they derived from a single long Vg polypeptide. Immunoblot analysis using polyclonal antibodies raised against two Vns (82 kDa and 100 kDa) confirmed Vg processing in the hepatopancreas, in the hemolymph and possibly in the oocytes, similarly in both sexes.

Decapod crustaceans in fresh waters of southeastern Bahia, Brazil.

A total of 117 species of freshwater decapod crustaceans are known from Brazil. Knowledge regarding the fauna of Decapoda from inland waters in the state of Bahia, northeast Brazil, is incipient. In spite of its wide territory and rich hydrographic net, only 13 species of limnetic decapods have been reported from that state. The objective of this contribution was to survey decapod crustaceans of some hydrographic basins in southeastern Bahia. The material described herein was obtained in samplings conducted between 1997 and 2005. Voucher specimens were deposited in the carcinological collections of the Museu de Zoologia, Universidade Estadual de Santa Cruz, Ilhéus, Brazil, and Departamento de Oceanografia, Universidade Federal de Pernambuco, Recife, Brazil. A total of 13 species was collected. The carideans were represented by the atyids Atya scabra (Leach, 1815) and Potimirim potimirim (Müller, 1881) and the palaemonids Macrobrachium acanthurus (Wiegmann, 1836), M. amazonicum (Heller, 1862), M. carcinus (Linnaeus, 1758), M. heterochirus (Wiegmann, 1836), M. jelskii (Miers, 1877), M. olfersi (Wiegmann, 1836), and Palaemon (Palaemon) pandaliformis (Stimpson, 1871). The brachyurans were represented by the portunids Callinectes bocourti A. Milne-Edwards, 1879 and C. sapidus Rathbun, 1895, the trichodactylid Trichodactylus fluviatilis Latreille, 1828 and the panopeid Panopeus rugosus A. Milne-Edwards, 1881. Macrobrachium heterochirus represents a new record from Bahia, and M. amazonicum is reported for the first time in southeast Bahia. The occurrence of two extreme different forms of T. fluviatilis was observed. Form A is characterized by the frontal margin of carapace bordered by conspicuous granules, the anterolateral margin provided with developed teeth plus granules, and the posterolateral margin provided with granulation similar to that found on the front. In form B the frontal margin is smooth or has an inconspicuous granulation; the anterolateral margin is usually provided with 1-3 notches, and teeth (1-2), if present, are small; and the posterolateral margin is smooth or slightly granulated.

El cangrejo Heterocrypta tommasii (Decapoda: Parthenopidae): adición a la carcinofauna venezolana / The crab Heterocrypta tommasii (Decapoda: Parthenopidae): addition to the Venezuelan carcinofauna

The crab Heterocrypta tommasii (Decapoda: Parthenopidae): an addition to the carcinofauna of Venezuela. The crab Heterocrypta tommasii Rodrigues da Costa, 1959 is reported for the first time from Venezuelan marine waters and its main taxonomical features are presented and illustrated. This report extends the range from Colombia, Guyana and Brazil; is the first report of the genus for Venezuela, and increases to six the number of Parthenopidae species known from the country. Rev. Biol. Trop. 54 (Suppl. 3): 131-134. Epub 2007 Jan. 15.

Se registra por primera vez en aguas marinas venezolanas la presencia del cangrejo Heterocrypta tommasii y se presentan las principales características del espécimen estudiado. Este hallazgo amplía la distribución conocida de la especie (la cual sólo contemplaba Colombia, Guayana y Brasil), establece el primer registro del género Heterocrypta en Venezuela e incrementa a seis el número de especies conocidas de Parthenopidae para este país.

Un caso de hipertrofia bilateral de quelas en el cangrejo violinista Uca cumulanta (Decapoda: Ocypodidae) / A case of bilateral hypertrophy of the fiddler crab Uca cumulanta (Decapoda: Ocypodidae)

A case of bilateral cheliped hypertrophya crab Uca cumulanta (Decapoda: Ocypodidae). An adult male of Uca cumulanta with bilateral cheliped hypertrophy was found during a collection of crabs at La Restinga Lagoon, Margarita Island, Venezuela. Both chelipeds were sub equal in size, regarding the major cheliped of a normal male. Rev. Biol. Trop. 54 (Suppl. 3): 117-119. Epub 2007 Jan. 15.

Un macho de Uca cumulanta con hipertrofia bilateral de quelas fue capturado durante en la Laguna de La Restinga, Isla de Margarita, Venezuela. Ambas quelas eran subiguales en tamaño y se asemejaban al quelípedo mayor de los machos normales.

The organic preservation of fossil arthropods: an experimental study.

Modern arthropod cuticles consist of chitin fibres in a protein matrix, but those of fossil arthropods with an organic exoskeleton, particularly older than Tertiary, contain a dominant aliphatic component. This apparent contradiction was examined by subjecting modern cockroach, scorpion and shrimp cuticle to artificial maturation (350 degrees C/700 bars/24 h) following various chemical treatments, and analysing the products with pyrolysis-gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (Py-GC/MS). Analysis of artificially matured untreated cuticle yielded moieties related to phenols and alkylated substituents, pyridines, pyrroles and possibly indenes (derived from chitin). n-Alkyl amides, C16 and C18 fatty acids and alkane/alk-1-ene homologues ranging from C9 to C19 were also generated, the last indicating the presence of an n-alkyl component, similar in composition to that encountered in fossil arthropods. Similar pyrolysates were obtained from matured pure C16 and C18 fatty acids. Py-GC/MS of cuticles matured after lipid extraction and hydrolysis did not yield any aliphatic polymer. This provides direct experimental evidence that lipids incorporated from the cuticle were the source of aliphatic polymer. This process of in situ polymerization appears to account for most of the fossil record of terrestrial arthropods as well as marine arthropods that lacked a biomineralized exoskeleton.

Olfactory specific chymotrypsin-like serine protease from the aesthetasc tegumental gland of the lobster, Homarus americanus.

Numerous proteases and protease inhibitors are expressed in the lobster olfactory organ. One of these proteases, olfactory enriched transcript 03 (OET-03), is particularly interesting because its mRNA is expressed only in one cell type of the olfactory organ of the American lobster, Homarus americanus. We have obtained a full-length cDNA clone of OET-03. The predicted amino acid sequence is equally divided between a novel N-terminal domain and a conserved serine protease catalytic domain at the C-terminus. Heterologous expression in HEK293 cells allowed protease assays demonstrating that OET-03 cleaved a specific serine protease substrate, N-alpha benzoyl-L-arginine p-nitroanilide, but did not cleave a substrate of metalloproteases and cysteine proteases. OET-03 protease activity was significantly inhibited by the chymotrypsin-like protease inhibitor, tosyl-L-phenylalanine chloromethyl ketone, but not by the general protease inhibitor, phenylmethylsulfonyl fluoride. Immunoreactivity for OET-03 was detected only in the cells previously shown to contain OET-03 mRNA. The cytoplasm of these cells was filled with enlarged smooth endoplasmic reticulum (a characteristic of secretory cells) that appeared to expand into large electron-translucent areas at the ventral end of the cell. The ventral ends of these secretory cells were apposed to phalloidin-labeled triangular structures reminiscent of the beginnings of the ducts of crustacean tegumental glands. This putative gland was found only in association with the aesthetasc sensory units of the olfactory organ, hence the name, aesthetasc tegumental gland.