Considerations On Some Species of Hippolyte (Decapoda, Caridea) From Southern European Waters, H. Niezabitowskii, H. Holthuisi, and H. Varians

Abstract

[Preliminary samples taken from Zostera marina beds on the Mediterranean coast of southern Spain, have allowed us to obtain three species of Hippolyte. One of them, Hippolyte niezabitowskii, represents the first record for Spain and the western Mediterranean. Also, the morphology of the present material shows clear differences with that of specimens from the Adriatic and Ionian seas. A complementary description and some considerations on a presumably subspecific status are given. The capture of many specimens belonging to the complex H. varians-H. holthuisi (H. holthuisi represents a new record for the area) has allowed us to make a comparative analysis between populations from the Alboran Sea and from the Gulf of Cadiz, which has established the existence of consistent differences between these., Preliminary samples taken from Zostera marina beds on the Mediterranean coast of southern Spain, have allowed us to obtain three species of Hippolyte. One of them, Hippolyte niezabitowskii, represents the first record for Spain and the western Mediterranean. Also, the morphology of the present material shows clear differences with that of specimens from the Adriatic and Ionian seas. A complementary description and some considerations on a presumably subspecific status are given. The capture of many specimens belonging to the complex H. varians-H. holthuisi (H. holthuisi represents a new record for the area) has allowed us to make a comparative analysis between populations from the Alboran Sea and from the Gulf of Cadiz, which has established the existence of consistent differences between these.]