Comparative morphology of the first zoea of twelve brachyuran species (Crustacea: Decapoda) from the Amazon region

Adelson S De Souza,Fernando A Abrunhosa,Rauquírio M Da Costa

doi:10.1590/s1984-46702013000300004

Abstract

The laboratory-hatched first zoeal stage of twelve brachyuran species collected in the estuarine area of the Caeté River in the Amazonian region are described and illustrated in the present study: P. americanus Saussure, 1857, Eurytium limosum (Say, 1818), Sesarma curacaoense De Man, 1892, S. rectum Randall, 1840, Armases rubripes (Rathbun, 1897), Aratus pisonii (H. Milne Edwards, 1837), Ocypode quadrata (Fabricius, 1787), Uca rapax (Smith, 1870), U. maracoani (Latreille, 1802), U. thayeri Rathbun, 1900, Ucides cordatus (Linnaeus, 1763) and Pachygrapsus gracilis (Saussure, 1858). Through intraspecific comparisons of the respective larval stage, an identification key was generated and provided. Most of the studied species presented morphological differences (e.g. type and presence or absence of setae) when compared to the same species previously described in the literature.

Highlights

Brachyuran crabs are among the most important groups of crustaceans in coastal ecosystems, and one of the most abundant macroinvertebrate groups that inhabit tropical mangroves and tidal flats (CLARK & PAULA 2003)
Larval morphology can be used in ecological studies to evaluate species diversity and reproductive period (KORNIENKO & KORN 2009), population estimates, spatial and temporal distribution, dispersal, recruitment and other ecological aspects (ANGER et al 1995, QUEIROGA et al 1994, CLARK & PAULA 2003)
Such studies depend on the availability of taxonomic identification tools such as identification keys (HART 1971, MARTIN 1984, PAULA 1996, BÁEZ 1997, FRANSOZO et al 1998, PESSANI et al 1998, SCHUBART & CUESTA 1998, POHLE et al 1999, ANOSOV 2000, GONZÁLEZ-GORDILLO et al 2000, KO & YANG 2003, DOS SANTOS & GONZÁLEZ-GORDILLO 2004, RICE & TSUKIMURA 2007, LEE & KO 2008, GONZALES et al 2009, KORNIENKO & KORN 2009, KORN & KORNIENKO 2010, VIEIRA & CALAZANS 2010)

Summary

Introduction

Brachyuran crabs are among the most important groups of crustaceans in coastal ecosystems, and one of the most abundant macroinvertebrate groups that inhabit tropical mangroves and tidal flats (CLARK & PAULA 2003). Larval morphology can be used in ecological studies to evaluate species diversity and reproductive period (KORNIENKO & KORN 2009), population estimates, spatial and temporal distribution, dispersal, recruitment and other ecological aspects (ANGER et al 1995, QUEIROGA et al 1994, CLARK & PAULA 2003) Such studies depend on the availability of taxonomic identification tools such as identification keys (HART 1971, MARTIN 1984, PAULA 1996, BÁEZ 1997, FRANSOZO et al 1998, PESSANI et al 1998, SCHUBART & CUESTA 1998, POHLE et al 1999, ANOSOV 2000, GONZÁLEZ-GORDILLO et al 2000, KO & YANG 2003, DOS SANTOS & GONZÁLEZ-GORDILLO 2004, RICE & TSUKIMURA 2007, LEE & KO 2008, GONZALES et al 2009, KORNIENKO & KORN 2009, KORN & KORNIENKO 2010, VIEIRA & CALAZANS 2010). Milne Edwards, 1837), Ocypode quadrata (Fabricius, 1787), Uca rapax (Smith, 1870), U. maracoani (Latreille, 1802), U. thayeri Rathbun, 1900, Ucides cordatus (Linnaeus, 1763) and Pachygrapsus gracilis (Saussure, 1858), and provide an identification key for them

Objectives

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Results

Conclusion