Caprellid Species Research Articles

Pseudaeginella makranensis sp. nov., a new species of caprellid (Crustacea: Amphipoda) from the Iranian coasts of Gulf of Oman.

Pseudaeginella makranensis sp. nov. is described from the Iranian coast of the Oman Sea. This species differs from other Pseudaeginella species by setose antennae, setae arrangement on mandibular palp, basis of male gnathopod 2 larger than pereonite 2, and bearing subrectangular propodus in second male gnathopod. A key to all species of Pseudaeginella Mayer, 1890 is provided.

Colonization Dynamics of Potential Stowaways Inhabiting Marinas: Lessons from Caprellid Crustaceans

Despite the fact that stowaway transport is an increasingly common invasion pathway, its key ecological aspects, such as colonization dynamics of potential invaders on human transport vectors, are poorly understood. Considering that marinas may function as stepping-stone habitats for the spread of marine invaders, they provide a unique opportunity for understanding the first steps in the stowaway pathway. One of the dominant groups inhabiting marinas are caprellid crustaceans. These small invertebrates have demonstrated a high potential for introduction and establishment far beyond their distribution range. Here, we analyzed the colonization dynamics of caprellid species inhabiting marinas of Cádiz Bay (Spain) on plastic collectors and discussed their implications on invasion success. We found that collectors largely mirrored the resident caprellid community assemblages after just one month of deployment, showing that caprellid species inhabiting marina structures have a high capacity to colonize new artificial substrates. Moreover, the two non-indigenous species found, Caprella scaura and Paracaprella pusilla, successfully established dense and well-structured populations in the collectors (including all sex/age groups considered). We suggest a potential interplay between colonization ability and stowaway organisms’ invasion success. Furthermore, collectors used are supported as a useful tool in the early detection of non-indigenous species and their monitoring in relation to resident species.

Occurrence and distribution of caprellids from the Egyptian Red Sea coast, with first records of two genera

The present work is a biodiversity study on some caprellids from the Northern Red Sea coast with their occurrence and distribution in different habitats in relation to water depth. From late 2019 to early 2020, a total of 67 individuals were collected from Hurghada and Shalateen, Red Sea coast by snorkeling and SCUBA diving, from five different depths (0.5, 5, 15, 25, and 35 m). A total of 7 caprellid species belonging to six genera and two subfamilies were recorded from Hurghada site, and only 5 species were recorded from Shalateen site. Phtisica marina Slabber, 1769, Metaprotella sp., and Deutella sp. were recorded for the first time from the Red Sea waters. These new records are significant in terms of increasing the known species diversity of the Red Sea fauna. Paradeutella multispinosa was the most abundant caprellid and was represented by 46.3% at Shalateen, followed byHemiaegina minuta (31.7%) at Shalateen and (50.0%) at Hurghada. SIMPER analysis showed that the caprellids, P. multispinosa, H. minuta and P. marina, were the most contributing species to the dissimilarity between the two studied sites. Depth and habitat composition directly influenced the total caprellid abundance and diversity at both sites.

Population biology of sympatric species of Caprella (Amphipoda: Caprellidae) in a tropical algal bed

The population biology of the three sympatric species of caprellids (Caprella danilevskii, C. equilibra and C. scaura) associated with a Sargassum bed was studied in the northern coast of São Paulo state, Brazil. Samplings were carried out monthly from October 2010 to February 2012. In each month, 25 fronds of Sargassum were randomly collected through snorkelling. The caprellids were identified, counted, classified by sex and separated into size classes. Caprella danilevskii was the most abundant species, with 14939 specimens recorded. The body size of males was larger than that of females for C. danilevskii and C. equilibra, and the sex ratio was skewed toward males for all species. The size-frequency distribution was polymodal for C. danilevskii and C. scaura and bimodal for C. equilibra. Mature males of C. scaura and C. equilibra were recorded in all size classes. The last size classes (from 8.3–9.4 to 12.7–13.8 mm) were dominated by mature males. Mature and ovigerous females were more frequent in intermediate size classes. Significant temporal variations were recorded for the three species with higher densities in spring and summer that are related to higher algal biomass; but other environmental factors are certainly important for explaining caprellid density variation.

Impact of industrial effluent on macrobenthic diversity: A case study of Thannirbhavi and Chitrapur coastal area of Mangalore

In view of understanding the impact of effluents and on the occurrence and distribution of macrobenthic organisms, an investigation has been carried out for a period of 8 months from October 2006 to May 2007 in the nearshore water of Thannirbhavi and Chitrapur receiving treated industrial effluents and Bengre coast having estuarine influences. The quality composition of benthic organism revealed the presence of hydroids such as Obeliasp,Cordylophorasp and companularia sp. Polychaetes belonging to 15 diferent families have been identified and their distribution revealed variation with respect to the type of the effluents. 24 different types of molluscss have been identified and their occurrence and distribution was found to be related to type of sediment and the quality of the effluents. Bulks of crustaceans were formed mainly due to species of Gammarus, Caprellids and Tanaidaceans. The great abundance and diversity of benthic organisms was observed in the Thannirbhavi receiving effluents from a fertilizer industry, when compare to the Chitrapur receiving treated effluents from a dye industry and an oil refinery industry. Silty-clayey sediment harbored higher density of polychaetes where as sandy-silty sediment supported greater abundance of molluscs.

A new caprellid genus and species (Crustacea: Amphipoda: Caprellidae) from Australia

Abstract A new genus and new species of caprellid, Parapseudaeginella n. gen., and Parapseudaeginella australiensis n. sp., is described from shallow water of Ningaloo Reef, south of Tantabiddy, reef front, Western Australia. The new genus is very similar to Pseudaeginella Mayer, 1890, but can be easily distinguished by the pereonites 6 and 7 being clearly fused (separated in Pseudaeginella) and by the absence of a pair of proximal grasping spines on the propodus of pereopods 5-7 (present in Pseudaeginella). The new species is characterised by acute dorsal projections on head, pereonite 1 and 2, and acute lateral projections near the coxa of gnathopod 2 in males. The new taxon has probably been overlooked in the past due to its tiny size. Further efforts to sample and describe the smaller caprellids is needed to fully understand the global diversity and relationships of caprellids.

A new species of Aciconula (Amphipoda, Senticauda, Caprellidae) from Sultan Iskandar Marine Park, Malaysia.

A new species of caprellid, Aciconulatinggiensis (Amphipoda, Senticaudata, Caprellidae) was discovered from Pulau Tinggi, Sultan Iskandar Marine Park (SIMP), South China Sea, Malaysia. The new Malaysian species can be distinguished from the other Aciconula species by the combination of the following characters: 1. the presence of a very small suture between head and pereonite 1; 2. antenna 1 flagellum with 4 articles; 3. inner lobe of lower lip unilobed; 4. gnathopod 2 palm of propodus with a large proximal projection (stretching from the proximal margin of the palm to nearly mid-way of palm); 5. pereopods 3–4 with 2 articles (article 1 subrectangular, article 2 conical or tapering at the tip with 1 plumose seta and 2 normal setae) and; 6. pereopod 5 covered with relatively dense and long setae. An updated identification key for the five known species in the genus, including information on the respective geographical distribution and habitat, is presented.

Unravelling the origin and introduction pattern of the tropical species Paracaprella pusilla Mayer, 1890 (Crustacea, Amphipoda, Caprellidae) in temperate European waters: first molecular insights from a spatial and temporal perspective

ParacaprellapusillaMayer, 1890 is a tropical caprellid species recently introduced to the Eastern Atlantic coast of the Iberian Peninsula and the Mediterranean Sea. In this study, we used direct sequencing of mitochondrial (COI and 16S) and nuclear (28S and ITS) genes to compare genetic differences in presumed native and introduced populations in order to infer its introduction pattern and to shed light on the native range of this species. The temporal pattern of genetic diversity at the westernmost limit of the geographic range ofP.pusillain Europe (the Atlantic coast of southern Spain) over an eight-year period was also investigated. Our results confirmP.pusillaas a neocosmopolitan species and suggest that the species is native to the Atlantic coast of Central and South America.Paracaprellapusillaseems to have been introduced into European waters from multiple introduction pathways and source populations, which are likely to include populations from coastal waters of Brazil. Multiple introduction pathways may have been involved, with the most important being commercial shipping through the Strait of Gibraltar. While this tropical species appears to be expanding in the Mediterranean, populations from the westernmost limit of its geographic range in Europe showed a temporal instability. This study constitutes the first molecular approach focused on this species, but it is also the first study of temporal change in genetic diversity of any introduced marine amphipod. Additional intensive sampling of this species, including both native and non-native populations, and detailed temporal studies are still necessary to properly understand how genetic diversity influences the introduction and survival ofP.pusillain invaded areas.

A new species of Deutella Mayer 1890 (Crustacea: Amphipoda) from the Mexican Pacific coast.

A new species of caprellid, Deutella mazatlanensis n. sp., is described from Mazatlán Bay, (east Pacific México). Deutella mazatlanensis was found associated with bryozoans, hydroids and sponges in shallow waters. The new species can be differentiated from the remaining species of the genus mainly by the dorsal, anteriorly directed projection on the head; the two dorsal projections and a lateral acute projection anteroventrally projected on pereonite 2 and gnathopod 2 in males. The presence of this species on the Mexican Pacific coast, constitutes the fourth report of Deutella genus for the Pacific Ocean and the first record from the tropical Eastern Pacific.

Population and reproductive biology of two caprellid species (Crustacea: Amphipoda) associated to Sargassum cymosum (Phaeophyta: Fucales) on the southeast coast of Brazil

Abstract Caprellid amphipods are common crustaceans at Sargassum beds of southeastern Brazil and constitute an important link between primary producers and marine consumers. The goal of this study is to evaluate population and reproductive biology of two caprellid species: Paracaprella tenuis Mayer, 1903 and Pseudaeginella montoucheti Quitete, 1971. Sargassum cymosum Agardh, 1820 samples were collected monthly between October 2010 and September 2011 in a rock shore in southeastern Brazil. The caprellids were identified, counted, measured and classified as males, immature females, sexually mature females, ovigerous females and juveniles. Eggs were counted and measured. Higher densities of P. tenuis and P. montoucheti were found mainly in winter and lower densities in fall and summer. Density variation is probably related to organic matter supply and substrate availability. Both species showed continuous reproduction with reproductive peaks. Pseudaeginella montoucheti larger egg volume indicates a longer incubation period. The egg volume was directly related to female size. The number of eggs was weakly related to female size, indicating that fecundity may be driven by other factors, such as the physiological conditions. Sex ratio deviated for males suggests a higher longevity of males. The present study highlighted important data of two caprellids species that occur in algal beds of different regions.

Caprellidae (Crustacea: Peracarida: Amphipoda) from deep-sea waters off Galicia (NW Iberian Peninsula) with the description of a new genus and three new species.

The Caprellidae (Crustacea: Amphipoda: Senticaudata) from the upper continental slope of Galicia (NW Iberian Peninsula) was studied. The material collected, based on surveys conducted from 2002 to 2009, comprised 11 species. A new genus Selvacaprella gen. nov., and three new species Selvacaprella jimenoi sp. nov., Liropus vitucoi sp. nov. and Liropus willyi sp. nov. are described. Pedoculina cf. bacescui and Parvipalpina cf. verrucosa are also figured in detail. Parvipalpina cf. verrucosa and Caprella cf. ciliata enlarge their distribution range ca. 2000 km to the South. Pedoculina cf. bacescui represent the first record of the genus for the Atlantic. These three species are also first records for the Iberian Peninsula. The total number of known caprellid species in the Iberian Peninsula (including adjacents waters of Ceuta, Canary Islands, Balearic Islands, Azores and Madeira) is 50 so far, making this area one of the most diverse in the world for this group of amphipods.

Epiphytic hydroids (Cnidaria, Hydrozoa) contribute to a higher abundance of caprellid amphipods (Crustacea, Peracarida) on macroalgae

Habitat complexity is an important factor structuring macroinvertebrate communities on macrophytes, and epiphytic hydroids may offer additional habitats for the epifauna. Caprellids are known to benefit from the association with hydroids, but it is unclear if epiphytic hydroids affect their abundance. In this study, we investigated if caprellid abundance is related to epiphytic hydroid abundance on Sargassum cymosum, and whether this is related to caprellids’ clinging behavior. We found that hydroid abundance had a positive effect on caprellid abundance, irrespective of species, sex, developmental and reproductive stages of caprellids, with the exception of Caprella scaura that present maternal care behavior. Experiments also showed that caprellids are more abundant on fronds of Sargassum with hydroids. Moreover, juvenile caprellids prefer to cling directly to hydroids and also prefer portions of the alga with hydroids attached. Our results indicate that epiphytic hydroids add structural complexity to macroalgae, favoring the occurrence of caprellids. However, this effect may be conditioned by the reproductive behavior of caprellid species, since hydroids are particularly important for juveniles by offering suitable structures for their small pereopods to grasp. This, in turn, may indirectly benefit adult caprellids, contributing to their choice of habitats that favor the performance of their juveniles.

Pseudaeginella telukrimau sp. n., a new species of caprellid (Crustacea: Amphipoda) from Malaysia

A new species of caprellid, Pseudaeginella telukrimau (Amphipoda: Senticaudata: Caprellidae) was discovered from Pulau Besar, Johor in Malaysia. This species was collected from a coral reef off Teluk Rimau. Species of Pseudaeginella are unique in terms of a very small/sometimes absent mandibular molar and the numerous projections on its pereonites. Pseudaeginella telukrimau is distinguishable by its paired mid-dorsal projections on pereonites 2 to 5, 1 ventrodistal triangular projection on pereonite 4, and gnathopod 2 ischium with 1 large trapezoid projection.

Population dynamics of Caprella dilatata and Caprella equilibra (Peracarida: Amphipoda) in a Southwestern Atlantic harbour

ABSTRACTWe studied the population dynamics and reproductive biology of Caprella dilatata and Caprella equilibra in order to provide the basis for understanding the ecological role of both species in Mar del Plata Harbour. Caprellids and organisms from the fouling community were obtained by sampling in the harbour, monthly from April 2014 to March 2015. Mean density of C. dilatata was homogeneous during most of the study period (ca. 50–200 ind/100 g) and reached their maximum in May (ca. 650 ind/100 g), while C. equilibra did not show any differences during the sampling period (ca. 30 ind/100 g). Juveniles of C. dilatata reached their highest densities in May, while ovigerous females were at their maximum values in late spring, summer and early autumn, and no correlation was found between seawater temperature and monthly density. On the other hand, C. equilibra reached its maximum juvenile and ovigerous female densities in summer, and showed a positive correlation with seawater temperature. Sex-ratio was female biased in C. dilatata, but in C. equilibra it was equal between sexes. The number of eggs carried by females was positively correlated to the size in both species. The present study suggests that the population dynamics of C. equilibra are intimately related to seawater temperature, while for C. dilatata no relationship was found. Future studies of ecology and behaviour traits in caprellid species are needed in order to determine the ecological role and the environmental factors that could affect both species.

A new caprellid species (Crustacea: Amphipoda: Senticaudata) from Brazil.

A new species of caprellid, Pseudaeginella arraialensis, is described from Arraial do Cabo, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Abundant material was collected in Praia do Forno, associated to hydroids and algae of natural rocky substrata and fouling communities of artificial floating structures. The new species can be distinguished easily from the remaining species in the genus mainly by the pattern of dorsal projections, and by the setose antennae and gnathopod 2 in males. The dietary analysis revealed that the species is omnivorous, with a high contribution of small crustaceans in its diet. Detailed figures showing ontogenetic development and intraspecific variation of P. arraialensis are also included.

Studying exotics in their native range: Can introduced fouling amphipods expand beyond artificial habitats?

Knowledge of the habitat use patterns of introduced species in their native or naturalized range can provide unique insights into processes of secondary dispersal and colonization of natural habitats. Caprellid amphipods are small mobile marine epibionts with limited natural dispersal. The global distribution of some caprellid species is mostly the result of anthropogenic transport; however, their subsequent spread beyond artificial habitats is poorly understood. A biogeographic approach, mainly focused on the native-range ecology of introduced and common fouling caprellid amphipods of southern Europe, was used to understand the implications of habitat use patterns for predicting their spread in the introduced regions. Specifically, abundance and composition of caprellid populations were compared among different primary habitats including artificial (floating pontoons), sheltered and wave-exposed rocky shores along the southern and southeastern coasts of Brazil. The findings indicated that artificial habitats act as reservoirs for globally distributed species in both their native and introduced ranges, while endemic species are more scarcely represented. Environmental conditions provided by primary habitats appear important in structuring caprellid assemblages on secondary substrata (basibiont species). Most wide-ranging caprellids were negatively correlated with the level of wave exposure, being more abundant in sheltered (artificial or natural) than in exposed habitats. In this context, Caprella scaura and Paracaprella pusilla, the two introduced caprellids recorded in the Mediterranean, where they are virtually restricted to artificial habitats, may become established in sheltered and even highly polluted natural habitats but hardly colonize wave-exposed rocky shores.

Caprellidae (Crustacea: Peracarida: Amphipoda) from the Red Sea and Suez Canal, with the redescription of Metaprotella africana and Paradeutella multispinosa

The Caprellidae from the Red Sea are reviewed based on the literature data and new collections from the Hurghada coasts. So far, only six valid species has been reported from the Red Sea and Suez Canal: Caprella equilibra Say, 1818, Hemiaegina minuta Mayer, 1890, Metaprotella africana Mayer, 1903, Paracaprella pusilla Mayer, 1890 and Paradeutella multispinosa Schellenberg, 1928 and Pseudocaprellina pambanensis Sundara Raj, 1927. The type material of M. africana (deposited in the Muséum nacional d'Histoire naturelle, Paris) and Paradeutella multispinosa (deposited in the Museum für Naturkunde, Berlin) are redescribed and illustrated in detail. P. pambanensis and H. minuta were the most abundant species in the collections along the northern coast. Most of the sampling effort has been focused on algae from shallow waters; additional substrates such as sediments, hydroids and coral rubble, especially from areas deeper than 15 meters should be explored. The number of caprellid species in the Red Sea is low compared to adjacent waters, as the Mediterranean Sea. However, further research and more extensive caprellid collections should be conducted along the coasts of Saudi Arabia, Yemen, Sudan and Eritrea, which are still unexplored.

Substrate Selectivity and Food Preference of the Caprellid Amphipod (Caprella Penantis); Evaluation of a Possible Aquaculture Resource for Marine Hatcheries

Marine aquaculture is growing at a significant rate with an increasingly diverse range of fish being cultured In order to maintain and enhance the growth and prosperity of the industry additional feed sources are required for different fish species Caprellid amphipods have been identified as a possible candidate for exploitation as an aquaculture live feed Caprella penantisis a globally distributed caprellid species found in the littoral zones of many coastal habitats throughout the world Like several other species it has been acknowledged as one of the most suitable species for culture due to its diverse range and wide environmental tolerances This paper examined the survivability of C Penantis when reared on different substrate types in closed systems Laboratory experiments used L carboys as culture vessels with each being equipped with a particular culture substrate The substrates that were tested in this experiment included natural substrates artificial substrates and no substrate and consisted of Sargassum spp seaweed and rope respectively In addition feeding habits uptake and population growth performance on each of the different substrate types were observed monitored and assessed over a sixteen week trial period The use of artificial substrate produced the highest survivability and population growth in addition to the highest feed uptake Average survival for populations of the control natural and artificial substrate groups were and respectively suggesting that artificial substrate is the most suitable culture medium for this particular caprellid The study found the culture of caprellids to be of relatively high labour intensity particularly when compared with currently used live feeds they are perhaps therefore best suited for use in small scale mariculture systems that have been established for the production of high value species

Reproductive features of sympatric species of Caprella (Amphipoda) on the southeastern Brazilian coast: a comparative study

Caprellid amphipods play an important role in coastal ecosystems, establishing a link between producers and higher trophic levels. Also, they are sensitive to environmental changes, toxins and pollutants. The aim of the present study was to analyse the main reproductive parameters (fecundity, reproductive periodicity and juvenile recruitment) of the sympatric speciesCaprella danilevskii,C. equilibraandC. scauraassociated withSargassum cymosum(Phaeophyta, Fucales) beds on the southeastern coast of Brazil, in order to evaluate the strategies used by them to ensure their coexistence. Fecundity (F) and the volume of eggs (VE) produced varied among species, but significant relationships were observed only forC. danilevskiiandC. equilibra. It was found that the total length of females (TL) was inversely proportional to F, whereC. danilevskii, the larger species, showed a lower number of eggs, but with larger sizes. Ovigerous females ofC. scaura, despite having a total length greater than that ofC. equilibra, showed a similar volume of eggs. Ovigerous females of the three caprellid species were not retrieved in every month of the study, resulting in the observation of a reproduction of a periodic or discontinuous type, with peaks in autumn and winter. The presence of juveniles also varied throughout the study period. These variations of ovigerous females and juveniles may occur, mainly due to the fluctuation of environmental conditions, as well as the reproductive strategies exhibited by the species, allowing the coexistence ofC. danilevskii,C. equilibraandC. scaurain the study area.

The family Caprellidae (Amphipoda: Caprelloidea: Caprellidae) from Campos Basin, Southwestern Atlantic, with a key of species occurring in Brazil.

Caprellid material of the present study was collected between 25-3000 m depth from the Campos Basin area, Southwestern Atlantic. As a result, Deutella incerta was found as a new record to the Southwestern Atlantic and two new species are described: Liropus guerragarciai sp. nov. and Mayerella sittropiae sp. nov. Besides, Paracaprella pusilla is herein redescribed as a common component of the Campos Basin amphipod community. Caprellids are a diverse and abundant group that can be found among algae and general biological substrates of the continental shelf area. As more deep sea samples are coming into light, they are turning out to be also a common component in this habitat. Including the present data, there are 25 caprellid species recorded in Brazil, being four of them restricted to the slope areas and 14 endemic to the Brazilian coast. A key to the Caprellidae species from Brazil is provided.