Abstract
Accurate information on commercial marine species larvae is key to fisheries science, as their correct identification is the first step towards studying the species’ connectivity patterns. In this study, we provide a complete morphological description of the first protozoeal stage of the valued deep-sea blue and red shrimp Aristeus antennatus and of the small mesopelagic shrimp Gennadas elegans. These two larval morphologies previously posed a risk of misidentification, thus hindering the study of A. antennatus larval ecology and dynamics in the context of fisheries science. Using specimens caught in the plankton at various locations in the Northwestern Mediterranean Sea and identification confirmed by molecular methods, the larvae of A. antennatus and G. elegans are distinguished from each other by the ornamentation of the antennula. A possible confusion in previous descriptions of Aristeidae larvae is addressed and a new key for the identification of Dendrobranchiata larvae provided.
Highlights
Accurate information on commercial marine species larvae is key to fisheries science, as their correct identification is the first step towards studying the species’ connectivity patterns
The objective of this study was to accurately and comprehensively describe the first protozoeal stage of the deep-sea shrimps A. antennatus and G. elegans, to compare them in search for morphological distinguishing characters, and how the findings relate to previously available information
We propose an identification key to distinguish the first protozoeal stage of Dendrobranchiata larvae of species occurring in the Northeastern Atlantic ocean and Mediterranean Sea, gathering information from our own observations and from available literature[31,32,33,34,35,36,37,38]
Summary
Accurate information on commercial marine species larvae is key to fisheries science, as their correct identification is the first step towards studying the species’ connectivity patterns. We provide a complete morphological description of the first protozoeal stage of the valued deep-sea blue and red shrimp Aristeus antennatus and of the small mesopelagic shrimp Gennadas elegans. One fundamental aspect of fisheries science is the study of species connectivity, as this information can shape the definition of stocks and set the range and scope of management instruments Regardless of their adult habitat, many species have planktonic larvae. There is a well-documented body of knowledge about the larval stages of some exploited species[4,5,6] This is not the case for deep-sea Dendrobranchiata, for which information is lacking despite the economic relevance in fisheries of some species. Aristaeomorpha foliacea as Aristeus antennatus (Heldt, 1955) 1.55 Not available Present Compound eyes well formed and dark Present
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