Biodiversity of decapod crustaceans in the estuarine floodplain around the city of Belém (Pará) in Brazilian Amazonia

ABSTRACT: The present study focused on the decapod fauna of the fluvial-estuarine environment of the Guajará Bay, in the Brazilian state of Pará, where specimens were collected monthly from six sites, from May 2006 to April 2007. A total of 6,793 specimens were captured, belonging to 11 species of crab and shrimp: eight palaemonids - Macrobrachium amazonicum (Heller, 1862), Macrobrachium surinamicum Holthuis, 1948, Macrobrachium carcinus (Linnaeus, 1758), Macrobrachium rosenbergii (De Man, 1879), Macrobrachium spp. 1-4 -, one portunid - Callinectes bocourti A. Milne-Edwards, 1879 -, and two trichodactylids - Sylviocarcinus devileii H. Milne-Edwards, 1853 and Sylviocarcinus pictus (Milne-Edwards, 1853). While no significant differences were found in the ecological indices of diversity with respect to season, site, or trap size, a tendency for increased abundance and species richness was found during the dry season (August-November), in particular at some sites, apparently reflecting the influence of the estuary's saline wedge.

Effect of environmental factors on the abundance of decapod crustaceans from soft bottoms off southeastern Brazil

Este estudo investigou a importância dos fatores ambientais sobre os padrões de abundância dos decápodos na costa sudeste brasileira. Amostragens foram feitas mensalmente de janeiro/1998 a dezembro/1999 em Ubatumirim e Mar Virado, região de Ubatuba, usando um barco de pesca camaroneiro equipado com redes doublerig. Foram selecionadas seis áreas adjacentes aos costões rochosos. Amostras de água de fundo foram coletadas usando garrafa de Nansen, para mensurar a temperatura e salinidade. Amostras de sedimento foram obtidas utilizando pegador de Van Veen, para determinação da textura e conteúdo de matéria orgânica. A associação dos fatores ambientais com a abundância das espécies foi verificada através da Análise de Correspondência Canônica (α = 0,05). Quarenta e uma espécies de Decapoda foram utilizadas na análise multivariada. A análise indicou que a textura do sedimento (phi) e a temperatura foram os fatores mais fortemente correlacionados (p < 0,05) com a abundância espacial e temporal das espécies. Considerando a região de estudo como zona de transição faunística, incluindo espécies de origem tropical e subantártica, as espécies responderam diferentemente aos fatores ambientais, principalmente à temperatura. Possivelmente os decápodos ajustem sua distribuição de acordo com suas limitações fisiológicas intrínsecas, como resultado dos recursos disponíveis.

Temporal, diel and spatial variability of decapod larvae from St Paul`s Rocks, an equatorial oceanic island of Brazil

Temporal, spatial and diel variation in the distribution and abundance of organisms is an inherent property of ecological systems. The present study describes these variations and the composition of decapod larvae from the surface waters of St Paul`s Rocks. The expeditions to the archipelago were carried out in April, August and November 2003, March 2004 and May 2005. Surface plankton samples were collected during the morning and dusk periods, inside the inlet and in increasing distances around the archipelago (similar to 150, 700 and 1500 m). The identification resulted in 51 taxa. Seven species, six genera and larvae of the families Pandalidae and Portunidae were identified for the first time in the area. The mean larval density varied from zero to 150.2 +/- 69.6 individuals 100 m(-3) in the waters surrounding the archipelago and from 1.7 +/- 3.0 to 12,827 +/- 15,073 individuals 100 m(-3) inside the inlet. Significant differences on larval density were verified between months and period of the day, but not among the three sites around the archipelago. Cluster and non-metric multidimensional scaling analysis indicated that the decapod larvae community was divided into benthic and pelagic assemblages. Indicator species analysis (ISA) showed that six Brachyura taxa were good indicators for the inlet, while three sergestids were the main species from the waters around the archipelago. These results suggest that St Paul`s Rocks can be divided into two habitats, based on larval composition, density and diversity values: the inlet and the waters surrounding the archipelago.

The effects of supplementation of decapod zoea to Artemia basal diet on the digestive gland histology and the fatty acid composition in common octopus (Octopus vulgaris) paralarvae.

[EN]The present study aimed to evaluate the effect of the supplementation of different crab zoeas to enriched Artemia basal diet for O. vulgaris paralarvae during the first month of life. Paralarvae were fed using: enriched Artemia nauplii alone and Artemia co-fed with either first zoea stages of Grapsus adscensionis or Plagusia depressa. The experiment was carried out over a period of 28 days, in 0.12 m3 tanks with a flow-through rearing system. Growth in dry weightas well as mantle length and width were assessed weekly. Additionally, prey and paralarvae fatty acid composition and digestive gland (DG) histology were evaluated.

Acid-base balance and changes in haemolymph properties of the South African rock lobsters, Jasus lalandii, a palinurid decapod, during chronic hypercapnia

Few studies exist reporting on long-term exposure of crustaceans to hypercapnia. We exposed juvenile South African rock lobsters, Jasus lalandii, to hypercapnic conditions of pH 7.3 for 28 weeks and subsequently analysed changes in the extracellular fluid (haemolymph). Results revealed, for the first time, adjustments in the haemolymph of a palinurid crustacean during chronic hypercapnic exposure: 1) acid-base balance was adjusted and sustained by increased bicarbonate and 2) quantity and oxygen binding properties of haemocyanin changed. Compared with lobsters kept under normocapnic conditions (pH 8.0), during prolonged hypercapnia, juvenile lobsters increased bicarbonate buffering of haemolymph. This is necessary to provide optimum pH conditions for oxygen binding of haemocyanin and functioning of respiration in the presence of a strong Bohr Effect. Furthermore, modification of the intrinsic structure of the haemocyanin molecule, and not the presence of molecular modulators, seems to improve oxygen affinity under conditions of elevated pCO2.

Relationship between taxocenoses of decapod crustaceans and characteristics of coastal detritic bottoms in the east and southeast of the Spanish coast

Se ha estudiado la composición de las poblaciones de crustáceos decápodos en los fondos detríticos circalitorales del Este y Sureste ibérico, con relación a sus diferentes facies, efectuándose diferentes análisis estadísticos sobre la composición y diversidad. La taxocenosis de crustáceos decápodos muestra elevados valores de abundancia, riqueza y diversidad en las localidades identificadas como fondos detríticos costeros de aspecto típico. Por último, algunos grupos de especies podrían ser utilizados para caracterizar las biocenosis típica de fondos detríticos costeros, tales como: Paguristes eremita, Ebalia edwardsi, E. deshayesi, Eurynome aspera, Galathea intermedia, Parthenope massena, y Anapagurus hyndmani; la biocenosis del detrítico costero enfangada: Ebalia tuberosa, Atelecyclus rotundatus, Ethusa mascarone, y Liocarcinus zariquieyi; y la biocenosis de arenas fangosas: Upogebia deltaura, Goneplax rhomboides.

Catalogue of the Indian decapod Crustacea in the collection of the Indian museum ...

"Index of the works quoted."

Effects of chlorinated seawater on decapod crustaceans and Mulinia larvae /

Mode of access: Internet.

The marine decapod Crustacea of California, with special reference to the decapod Crustacea collected by the United States Bureau of fisheries steamer "Albatross" in connection with the biological survey of San Francisco Bay during the years 1912-1913,

Published by permission of the secretary of the Smithsonian institution and of the United States commissioner of fisheries.

Diversity of decapod crustaceans at the interface of unconsolidated seabed areas and rocky shores in tropical/subtropical Brazil

The decapod crustacean assemblages from unconsolidated seabed areas located near rocky shores in the Ubatuba region on the south-east coast of Brazil were analysed by investigating the abundance, richness, diversity and dominance of species. The relationships of the sediment and bottom-water temperature to total species abundance, richness and diversity were also evaluated. Monthly samples were taken from January 1998 through December 1999 at sites in Ubatumirim and Mar Virado. At each locality, three areas were defined as either 'exposed', 'sheltered' or 'island'. The highest species abundance was found in the sheltered area of Ubatumirim and the exposed area of Mar Virado, and during autumn. At Ubatumirim, the highest richness occurred in the exposed area and the highest diversity near the island. At Mar Virado, the highest richness and diversity were found near the island. Autumn and winter collections yielded the highest richness but the lowest diversity. The higher diversities, which were measured near the islands and during spring and summer, were consequences of the greater evenness of the data. The areas with the highest diversity also had the most heterogeneous sediment composition, thus reinforcing the hypothesis that areas with more complex substrata support more diverse faunas.

Neustonic distribution of decapod planktonic stages and competence of brachyuran megalopae in coastal waters

Settlement rate may not reflect larval supply to coastal waters in different marine invertebrates and demersal fishes. The importance of near-shore oceanography and behaviour of late larval stages may be underestimated. The present study conducted neustonic sampling over station grids and along full-length transects at two embayments in south-eastern Brazil to (1) compare diurnal and nocturnal occurrence of most frequent decapod stages to assess their vertical movements, (2) describe the formation of larval patches and (3) measure competence of crab megalopae according to their distance to recruitment grounds. Several shrimp species apparently undergo a diel vertical migration, swimming crab megalopae showed no vertical movements and megalopae of the intertidal crab Pachygrapsus transversus revealed a reversed vertical migration. During the day, crab megalopae aggregated in convergence zones just below surface slicks. These larvae consisted of advanced, pre-moult stages, at both mid-bay and near-shore patches. Competence, measured as the time to metamorphosis in captivity, was similar between larval patches within each taxon. Yet, subtidal portunids moulted faster to juveniles than intertidal grapsids, possibly because they were closer to settlement grounds. Megalopae of Pachygrapsus from benthic collectors moulted faster than those from bay areas. These results suggest that alternative vertical migration patterns of late megalopae favour onshore transport, and actual competence takes place very close to suitable substrates, where larvae may remain for days before settlement. Lack of correlation between larval supply and settlement for Pachygrapsus suggests that biological processes, besides onshore transport, may play an important role in determining settlement success of coastal crabs.

Intra- and extracellular osmotic regulation in the hololimnetic Caridea and Anomura: a phylogenetic perspective on the conquest of fresh water by the decapod Crustacea

We investigate extra- and intracellular osmoregulatory capability in two species of hololimnetic Caridea and Anomura: Macrobrachium brasiliense, a palaemonid shrimp, and Aegla franca, an aeglid anomuran, both restricted to continental waters. We also appraise the sharing of physiological characteristics by the hololimnetic Decapoda, and their origins and role in the conquest of fresh water. Both species survive salinity exposure well. While overall hyperosmoregulatory capability is weak in A. franca and moderate in M. brasiliense, both species strongly hyporegulate hemolymph [Cl-] but not osmolality. Muscle total free amino acids (FAA) increase slowly but markedly in response to the rapid rise in hemolymph osmolality consequent to hyperosmotic challenge: 3.5-fold in A. franca and 1.9-fold in M. brasiliense. Glycine, taurine, arginine, alanine and proline constitute a parts per thousand 85% of muscle FAA pools in fresh water; taurine, arginine, alanine each contribute a parts per thousand 22% in A. franca, while glycine predominates (70%) in M. brasiliense. These FAA also show the greatest increases on salinity challenge. Muscle FAA titers correlate strongly (R = 0.82) with hemolymph osmolalities across the main decapod sub/infraorders, revealing that marine species with high hemolymph osmolalities achieve isosmoticity of the intra- and extracellular fluids partly through elevated intracellular FAA concentrations; freshwater species show low hemolymph osmolalities and exhibit reduced intracellular FAA titers, consistent with isosmoticity at a far lower external osmolality. Given the decapod phylogeny adopted here and their multiple, independent invasions of fresh water, particularly by the Caridea and Anomura, our findings suggest that homoplastic strategies underlie osmotic and ionic homeostasis in the extant freshwater Decapoda.