Abstract
The mysid Heteromysis (Heteromysis) microps is reported for the first time in the Bay of Biscay. During surveys carried out between March and September 2015 in Arcachon Bay, mysid specimens were fortuitously collected from Upogebia pusilla burrows. Details on morphology, colour pattern and behaviour of H. microps are provided. Commensalism was frequently mentioned for Heteromysis species but never reported for H. microps. In this study, commensalism seems to be proved between the mysid and its host U. pusilla.
Highlights
The mysid Heteromysis (Heteromysis) microps is reported for the first time in the Bay of Biscay
As the mysid associate remains external and was never found in another habitat in Arcachon Bay, the association between H. microps and U. pusilla may be classified as obligatory ectocommensalism (Nardon and Charles, 2002; San Vicente and Monniot, 2014)
H. microps is clearly protected from predators within U. pusilla burrows
Summary
The mysid Heteromysis (Heteromysis) microps is reported for the first time in the Bay of Biscay. During surveys carried out between March and September 2015 in Arcachon Bay, mysid specimens were fortuitously collected from Upogebia pusilla burrows. Conclusions: Commensalism was frequently mentioned for Heteromysis species but never reported for H. microps. Commensalism seems to be proved between the mysid and its host U. pusilla. The thalassinidean mud shrimp Upogebia pusilla (Petagna, 1792) occurs in high densities in intertidal flats in the NE Atlantic and in shallow lagoons in the Mediterranean Sea. As its Y-shaped burrows penetrates deep into the sediment (up to 1 m), this shrimp is considered an important ecosystem engineer (Jones et al, 1994; Pillay and Branch, 2011).
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