Checklist of marine Crustacea Decapoda (excluded Brachyura) from Iberian Peninsula

An actualized and annotated checklist of marine Crustacea Decapoda (excluded Brachyura) from Iberian Peninsula and by sectors (Northern Spain (Gulf of Biscay to Galicia) - West Portugal - Gulf of Cádiz (S Portugal- SW Spain: Cape San Vicente to Gibraltar Strait) - Alborán Sea - Eastern Mediterranean Spain (Baleares-Levante)) is provided. Systematic changes and synonymies, new records, introduced species by anthropogenic activities and characterization of the spatial distribution of species are commented. In total 292 decapods species (not including Brachyura), belonging to 134 genera and 42 families, are cited along Iberian waters. Of these, 114 were not found by Zariquiey Álvarez (1968). The richest families are Paguridae, Hippolytidae and Palemonidae (with 28, 21 and 17 species respectively). By sectors, the Gulf of Cadiz shows the highest richness (178 species), consequence of the confluence of Atlantic and Mediterranean waters and of a greater depth range in this area (when comparing with the adjacent Alborán Sea sector). The total marine decapod species along Iberian waters (including crabs, Marco-Herrera et al., 2015) is, at least, 431. Also, other 13 freshwaters species have been cited in Iberian Peninsula.Universidad de Málaga. Campus de Excelencia Internacional Andalucía Tech

Taxonomic study of the Pagurus forbesii "complex" (Crustacea: Decapoda: Paguridae). Description of pagurus pseudosculptimanus sp. nov. from alborán sea (Southern Spain, Western Mediterranean Sea)

Study of hermit crabs from Alboran Sea has allowed recognition of two different morphological forms under what had been understood as Pagurus forbesii. Based on morphological observations with various species of Pagurus, and molecular studies, a new species is described as P. pseudosculptimanus. An overview of species of Pagurus from the eastern Atlantic and Mediterranean Sea is provided. © Copyright 2014 Magnolia Press.This work was supported by the Junta de Andalucía RNM-0141 Research Group.Peer Reviewe

Descripción de patrones únicos de coloración en vivo como herramienta para la discriminación de especies de cangrejos ermitaños en la península ibérica

The unique colour patterns of the hermit crab species inhabiting the Iberian Peninsula and geographically close areas are studied based on colour patterns observed in live specimens either in the field or live in the laboratory. Live colour patterns are shown to be useful for differentiating species in the Paguroidea from Iberian waters. Colour information has not been frequently documented in previous studies, mainly because of difficulties in accessing live specimens. Up to 51 species are currently recorded within the study area, 45 of which are included in the present work, focusing on the distinctive colour traits for each species that can be observed in the field. A complete key for identifying the species within the study area based on colour patterns is included. This study is the first attempt to put in place this type of tool oriented to field work. Further studies will be required to complete and update this information, especially for species which are scarce or difficult to observe alive.El estudio de los patrones de coloración en ejemplares vivos observados tanto en el campo como en laboratorio, han permitido investigar la existencia de patrones de coloración distintivos para las especies de cangrejos ermitaños que habitan en la península ibérica y zonas geográficamente cercanas. Estos patrones de coloración han demostrado ser de gran utilidad en los Paguroidea de aguas Ibéricas para la identificación de especies. La información relativa al color ha sido frecuentemente obviada en el pasado, principalmente debido a las dificultades para acceder a los ejemplares vivos. En la actualidad existen alrededor de 51 especies registradas en la zona de estudio, 45 de las cuales se incluyen en el presente trabajo, poniendo el foco en los rasgos de color distintivos de cada especie que pueden observarse en el campo. Se incluye una clave completa para la identificación de las especies dentro del área de estudio basada en los patrones de color. Este estudio es el primer intento de implementar este tipo de herramienta orientada al trabajo de campo. Serán necesarios más estudios para completar y actualizar esta información, especialmente para aquellas especies que son escasas o difíciles de observar en vivo

Extended Parental Care in the Freshwater Shrimp Genus Dugastella Bouvier, 1912 (Decapoda, Atyidae, Paratyinae)

5 páginas, 1 figura.Parental care and extended parental care are known behaviours in decapod crustaceans (see Thiel, 2000, 2003). While parental care before hatching, which involves incubation of the eggs (carrying, cleaning, and aeration) by females, is a common behaviour in the majority of decapod taxa (with the exception of Dendrobranchiata), extended parental care is a rare behaviour in decapods, restricted only to some species of brachyuran crabs (Diesel, 1989, 1992, 1997; Diesel & Horst, 1995; Ng & Tan, 1995), hermit crabs (Hazlett, 1983; López Greco et al., 2004; Calado et al., 2006), astacid crayfishes (Johnston & Fiegel, 1997; Vogt & Tolley, 2004), and caridean shrimps (Duffy, 1996). In the majority of these cases, the parental female presents different types of parental activity towards the offspring after hatching, like habitat control, elimination of predators, or sharing meals. Also, there are some cases in which larvae develop transient structures that allow them to remain fixed to the pleopods of the female abdomen, like in astacids (see Vogt & Tolley, 2004) and several species of the genus Sclerocrangon Sars, 1883 (see Makarov, 1968; Lacoursière-Roussel & Sainte-Marie, 2009). However, the most infrequent cases of extended parental care in decapods are those where females carry their juvenile offspring under their abdomen after the hatched larvae develop there (cf. abdominal brood pouches, or incubation chamber). These cases have only been reported in one species of Brachyura, Tunicotheres moseri (Rathbun, 1918) (see Bolaños et al., 2004), and one caridean, the kangaroo shrimp Dugastella valentina (Ferrer Galdiano, 1924) (see Cuesta et al., 2006). Taking into account this last case, and considering that there are only two species in the genus Dugastella Bouvier, 1912, the objective of the present study was to corroborate whether the other species, D. marocana Bouvier, 1912, also presents the same behaviour. These two species have a a restricted distribution, D. valentina occurs in the Gulf of Valencia (southern Europe) and D. marocana is found in some localities of Morocco (northwestern Africa).Collections in Morocco by JEGM and JEGR were possible thanks to fundings provided by “CSIC Proyectos Intramurales Especiales” 2006 3 01 238 to JAC.Peer reviewe

Revisión taxonómica y filogenia molecular de Pisa (Decapoda: Majoidea: Epialtidae), incluyendo la descripción de un nuevo género de Pisinae

The spider crabs of the genus Pisa Leach, 1814 (Epialtidae: Pisinae) are reviewed in this study based on morphological and molecular data (16S and COI genes). From these results, a new genus, Afropisa n. gen., is established for the clade composed of Pisa carinimana Miers, 1879, Pisa calva Forest and Guinot, 1966 and Pisa sanctaehelenae Chace, 1966 based on carapace morphology, rostrum, pterygostomian tubercles and male gonopod 1. Additionally, Lissa chiragra (Fabricius, 1775) is transferred to Pisa based on morphological (adults and larvae) and molecular evidence. Furthermore, the status of Pisa hirticornis (Herbst, 1804) is discussed and clarified. The phylogenetic relationships between several Pisinae Dana, 1851 genera, as revealed by molecular data, are discussed. An illustrated identification key of eastern Atlantic and Mediterranean species of Pisinae is provided.Los cangrejos araña del género Pisa Leach, 1814 (Epialtidae: Pisinae) son revisados en este estudio basándonos en datos morfológicos y genéticos (genes 16S y COI). A partir de estos resultados, un nuevo género, Afropisa n. gen., es establecido para el clado compuesto por Pisa carinimana Miers, 1879, Pisa calva Forest and Guinot, 1966 y Pisa sanctaehelenae Chace, 1966 basado en la morfología del caparazón, rostro, tubérculos pterigostomianos y gonopodo 1 masculino. Además, Lissa chiragra (Fabricius, 1775) es transferida a Pisa basándonos en evidencias morfológicas (adultos y larvas) y moleculares. Adicionalmente, el estatus de Pisa hirticornis (Herbst, 1804) es discutido y clarificado. Se aporta una clave ilustrada de identificación para las especies de Pisinae Dana, 1851 del Atlántico oriental y del Mediterráneo

Torrential rainfall in northeast of the Iberian Peninsula: synoptic patterns and WeMO influence

This study presents a catalogue of synoptic patterns of torrential rainfall in northeast of the Iberian Peninsula (IP). These circulation patterns were obtained by applying a T-mode Principal Component Analysis (PCA) to a daily data grid (NCEP/NCAR reanalysis) at sea level pressure (SLP). The analysis made use of 304 days which recorded >100 mm in one or more stations in provinces of Barcelona, Girona and Tarragona (coastland area of Catalonia) throughout the 1950-2005 period. The catalogue comprises 7 circulation patterns showing a great variety of atmospheric conditions and seasonal or monthly distribution. Likewise, we computed the mean index value of the Western Mediterranean Oscillation index (WeMOi) for the synoptic patterns obtained by averaging all days grouped in each pattern. The results showed a clear association between the negative values of this teleconnection index and torrential rainfall in northeast of the IP. We therefore put forward the WeMO as an essential tool for forecasting heavy rainfall in northeast of Spai

Wanted dead or alive : high diversity of macroinvertebrates associated with living and ’dead’ Posidonia oceanica matte

The Mediterranean endemic seagrass Posidonia oceanica forms beds characterised by a dense leaf canopy and a thick root-rhizome ‘matte’. Death of P. oceanica shoots leads to exposure of the underlying matte, which can persist for many years, and is termed ‘dead’ matte. Traditionally, dead matte has been regarded as a degraded habitat. To test whether this assumption was true, the motile macroinvertebrates of adjacent living (with shoots) and dead (without shoots) matte of P. oceanica were sampled in four different plots located at the same depth (5–6 m) in Mellieha Bay, Malta (central Mediterranean). The total number of species and abundance were significantly higher (ANOVA; P<0.05 and P<0.01, respectively) in the dead matte than in living P. oceanica matte, despite the presence of the foliar canopy in the latter. Multivariate analysis (MDS) clearly showed two main groups of assemblages, corresponding to the two matte types. The amphipods Leptocheirus guttatus and Maera grossimana, and the polychaete Nereis rava contributed most to the dissimilarity between the two different matte types. Several unique properties of the dead matte contributing to the unexpected higher number of species and abundance of motile macroinvertebrates associated with this habitat are discussed. The findings have important implications for the conservation of bare P. oceanica matte, which has been generally viewed as a habitat of low ecological value.peer-reviewe

Updating the National Baseline of Non-Indigenous Species in Spanish Marine Waters

The introduction of new non-indigenous species (NIS) in Spanish marine waters is addressed under Descriptor 2 of the European Union’s Marine Strategy Framework Directive. National baseline inventories of NIS have been compiled and updated for the three subregions (Western Mediterranean Sea, WMED; Bay of Biscay–Iberian Coast, ABI; Macaronesia, AMA) with data from 1800 to 2021. An overall of 574 species were identified with an alien, cryptogenic, crypto-expanding, or debatable status, mostly invertebrates (~65%) and primary producers (~22%). Of 412 alien species, 80.51% were reported in ABI, 67.82% in WMED, and 66.67% in AMA. Cryptogenic species are more abundant in the WMED (25.25%), compared to AMA (19.77%) and ABI (18.46%). ABI harbors more established species (62.56%) than AMA (45.2%) and WMED (43.56%), contrary to casual records (AMA 31.64%, WMED 23.76%, ABI 13.85%). Invasive species are more abundant (14.36%) in WMED. The ‘transport-stowaway’ pathway accounted for 142 (79.33%), 123 (67.58%), and 169 (85.21%) records in WMED, ABI, and AMA, respectively. The second most common pathway was ‘transport-contaminant’ related to mariculture (~10% of the total), prevalently in ABI with 42 species (23.08%). The Canary Islands stand out for species introduced through oil platforms from throughout the world. ‘Unaided’ was a relevant pathway of secondary introduction into the WMED, particularly of Lessepsian species progressing westwards. Temporal trends in newly introduced species show similar behavior among subregions.This research was funded by Ministerio para la Transición Ecológica y el Reto Demográfico, grant number 11_MM_ESMARES2. The APC was funded by the ESMARES2-C3 project

Benthic Fauna of Littoral and Deep-Sea Habitats of the Alboran Sea: A Hotspot of Biodiversity

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