Abstract
Ligia isopods exhibit a constrained morphology that makes identification difficult. In the Greater Caribbean, a convoluted taxonomic history has left the distributional limits of Ligia baudiniana unclear. To date, no confirmed records of this species exist from the American Gulf of Mexico. Herein, we report the presence of L. baudiniana in Sarasota-Manatee Florida, as confirmed by morphological and molecular approaches. This is the first record of this species in the region and a ~300Km extension of its range. Specimens were collected in mangroves, underscoring the importance of protecting these habitats.
Highlights
The isopod genus Ligia includes ~40 nominal species, most of which inhabit a narrow range in the upper rocky intertidal habitats
This is true for specimens from the American Gulf of Mexico coastlines, as most records appear to have been reclassified as L. exotica
Our findings extend the confirmed range of this species ~300-km into the Gulf of Mexico coastline of Florida and represent the first confirmed record of L. baudiniana in the American Gulf of Mexico coastline
Summary
The isopod genus Ligia includes ~40 nominal species, most of which inhabit a narrow range in the upper rocky intertidal habitats. The terse description and source origin of the type material (i.e., artificial substrate) have led to confusion on whether L. baudiniana is a synonym of L. exotica or a valid species[15,16], and to records and specimens identified as L. baudiniana to be re-classified as L. exotica (3 and references). This is true for specimens from the American Gulf of Mexico coastlines, as most records appear to have been reclassified as L. exotica. A wide-ranging survey of Ligia in the Gulf of Mexico from Texas to Florida has shown artificial habitats in the region to harbor only L. exotica (unpublished study; Hurtado LA, Mateos M, Wang C, Santamaria CA, Jung J, Khalaji-Pirbalouty V, and Kim W)
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