Ovigerous Ones Research Articles

Description of two new species of the freshwater amphipod Hyalella Smith, 1874 (Amphipoda: Hyalellidae) from southeastern Brazil, with remarks on their population biology and reproduction

Abstract We describe two new species of HyalellaSmith, 1874 from São Paulo state, southeastern Brazil, presenting morphological details and shedding some light on the reproductive and populational aspects of the new species. Hyalella balan. sp. not only has a smaller mean body length in relation to H. virgineaen. sp., but their antennas 1 and 2 are also shorter than those of H. virgineaen. sp. There is a positive but weak correlation between head size of paired males and females, and unpaired females are usually smaller than paired or ovigerous ones, for both species. The sex ratio for H. balan. sp. favors females, while there are 28% more males than available females in H. virgineaen. sp.. Hyalella virgineaen. sp. ovigerous females carry more and larger eggs than H. balan. sp., probably in response to differences in habitat use. We increase to 37 the number of species of Hyalella in Brazil, and to eight in São Paulo state.

Female reproductive pattern of Callinectes sapidus Rathbun, 1896 (Brachyura: Portunidae) in Iskenderun Bay, Eastern Mediterranean

We studied the female reproductive pattern of Callinectes sapidus, which was introduced to the Mediterranean in the 20th century. We assessed female size at first maturity, fecundity, and fecundity relationship to size in Iskenderun Bay, eastern Mediterranean, Turkey. Samples were collected between July 2014 and June 2015 using bottom trawling at depths ranging from 1 to 50 m. A total of 322 crabs were caught of which 308 (95.7%) were females including 116 ovigerous ones. The minimum carapace width of the mature females was 39.1 mm and the mean carapace width 123.8 mm. The carapace width of ovigerous females varied between 95.1 and 144.5 mm, with a mean of 120.3 mm. The highest number of ovigerous females was observed in July and August. Mean fecundity was 1.91 million (667,950–4,669,853) eggs per female. A weak positive linear relationship between fecundity and carapace width was noted, as well as a high correlation with total egg weight. In the eastern Mediterranean, maturity sizes of females were smaller than those in the native region of the species.

和歌川河口干潟におけるヤドカリ類３種の夏期の分布と性比，体サイズ

Biological Laboratory, Faculty of Education, Wakayama University,930 Sakaedani, Wakayama 640 8510, JapanAbstract: In Japan, the hermit crabs Pagurus minutus, Diogenes nitidimanus and Clibanarius infraspinatus are commonin inner bays, sandy tidal flats and shallow subtidal sediment, respectively. We investigated the distribution of thesethree species in summer at six sampling sites in the Waka-River Estuary, Wakayama Prefecture, Japan. The samplingsites were placed along the length of the estuary, with Site 1 situated high up in the brackish water of the estuary, Site6 at the river mouth, and the other four sites at intermediate locations along the estuary gradient with the number ofeach site. Pagurus minutus was the dominant species at five out of six sites. Diogenes nitidimanus was mainly found atintermediate St. 3 and 5, relatively close to the river mouth, and had sandy substrates. Clibanarius infraspinatus wasmostly found at St. 6. The sex ratio of D. nitidimanus was highly biased to males at St. 3 and to females at St. 5, whilethe sex ratio of the other two species did not vary across sites except for P. minutus at St. 4. Carapace and chelae lengthof males were larger than those of females in P. minutus for their right hands and in D. nitidimanus for their left hands,but not in C. infraspinatus for their right hands. In D. nitidimanus, small males were especially abundant at St. 3, whilemales of various size including large ones, were collected at St. 5. Females of various sizes were found at both sites.However, there were very few females at St. 3, while many females, including ovigerous ones, inhabited St. 5. Theexistence of the small male population distant from the reproductive population in D. nitidimanus may be an interestingaspect with respect to the life history strategy of the males and deserves further investigation.KeyWords: comparative study, Clibanarius infraspinatus, Diogenes nitidimanus, Pagurus minutus, sexual di#erence,sexual dimorphism, tidal flat+, -. /01234  5 67 89: ;8 ?.@A-(Gherardi 1990; Gherardi & Nardone 1997)&BCDEFGH.IJ Pagurus filholi KLMIJ P. lanuginosusˇNOPQ˘RClibanarius vi-rescens 3 S2T 1 U0VWIJ ˇNOPQ˘RH.XFHW SYAZ1- (Imazu& Asakura 1994)& SYA [;01F\]^_‘ab-Sc˘Adˇ01eˆfg1- (Imazu & Asakura 1994)h Thurman 2003, 2005)&!{GE.f|}|A  S234 S#$~ig 01•†‡IJ  Pa-gurus minutus …†‡—– Diogenes nitidimanus8ƒ⁄ ‹SH› &•†‡IJ .%&FGVi−‰…†‡—– .„“ FGVik”5‘’‚™−‰$34 =:fi ’fl1995Łc %H2T 1- ‹SŒfg &•†‡IJ  SŸr-1.Ži (l)œ& -1sžA>?S, (Kikuchi 1962)&Ÿg6 *+.11l5 €H12 €i’¢8£⁄|=S5¥ƒ,-§¤Vi '“10l3 €. «G‹ -01- 6›H, &…†‡—– r-1W )œ& -1fiflA>?S, (Asakura 1987a, b; Asakura1995; Asakura & Kikuchi 1984)&Ÿg6 X H˘ˇˆ°–‚†‡·µSYAU ¶S•‚.m– ›„. SSŸ/ .X . &0”˘ˇˆWm–H‘–6U ›„‹›0=0”˘ˇˆ  1Received 15 Nov. 2007 Accepted 16 May 2008 Corresponding author

RESPONSE OF THE AMERICAN LOBSTER TO THE STRESS OF SHELL DISEASE

Shell disease is a problem affecting lobsters in eastern Long Island Sound causing disfiguration of the shell, decreasing the lobsters' value, and whereas mild and medium levels of the disease are not lethal, ultimately, severe cases result in mortality. Levels of the molting hormone, ecdysone, were quantitated, using a radioimmunoassay (RIA), in hemolymph of animals exhibiting shell disease. Our results indicate that levels of ecdysone were increased in the hemolymph of shell-diseased lobsters, with a medium level of expression of the disease to 89 ± 32 ng/mL (n = 76), whereas unaffected, presumably healthy ones had 57 ± 16 ng/mL (n = 210). In 7 of 10 months of the year shell-diseased animals had higher ecdysone levels in their hemolymph than unaffected animals. In addition, ecdysone levels were abnormally high, 165 ± 53 ng/mL (n = 5), in shell-diseased ovigerous lobsters, whereas normal unaffected ovigerous ones had low levels of this hormone, 13 ± 4 ng/mL (n = 7). These results indicate that shell disease may induce lobsters to alter the systemic levels of ecdysone, possibly serving as a defensive measure, allowing the animals to ward off the effects of shell disease through induced molting.

Biologia populacional e reprodutiva de Callinectes danae Smith (Crustacea, Portunidae), no Balneário Shangri-lá, Pontal do Paraná, Paraná, Brasil

Entre abril/2000 a abril/2001 todos os indivíduos de C. danae Smith, 1869 procedentes de um mesmo arrasto foram coletados em visitas quinzenais às bancas dos pescadores do Balneário Shangri-lá (25°37'30"S, 48°25'08"W) visando investigar sua estrutura populacional e parâmetros reprodutivos. De cada indivíduo foi determinado o sexo, a largura cefalotorácica (LC) e o peso úmido (P). O estágio de maturação gonadal foi determinado macroscopicamente pelo aspecto e coloração das gônadas. A massa de ovos das fêmeas foi separada para análise da fecundidade. Foi observado um predomínio de fêmeas adultas (incluindo as ovígeras) em relação às outras categorias. A proporção sexual foi 0,9:1 (machos:fêmeas). O tamanho de primeira maturação sexual foi estimado em 60,5 mm (machos) e 52,7 mm (fêmeas). A relação LC/P foi isométrica para machos e fêmeas. A largura da carapaça das fêmeas ovígeras variou de 43,2 a 79,5 mm (67 ± 8 mm), com fecundidade variando entre 25.127 e 246.676 ovos, com uma média de 127.177 ovos por fêmea. O diâmetro médio dos ovos foi de 0,22 mm. A maior incidência de fêmeas ovígeras ocorreu durante o inverno e o verão.

Physiological maturity and relationships of growth and reproduction in the red mangrove crab Goniopsis cruentata (Latreille) (Brachyura, Grapsidae) on the coast of São Paulo, Brazil

This investigation provided information on the physiological sexual maturity and relationships of growth and reproduction in Goniopsis cruentata (Latreille, 1803). Collections were made monthly from January 1995 through December 1996, on the northeastern coast of São Paulo State, Brazil. The crabs were grouped into juvenile males; adult males; juvenile females, and adult females, including ovigerous ones. For each specimen the carapace width (CW) was measured, and molt condition and macroscopic developmental stage of the gonad tissue were recorded. CWs of physiologically mature crabs were between 21.4 and 23.7 mm for both sexes. This population showed molt activity in all size groups throughout the study period, which suggests continuous growth and the absence of terminal anecdysis. This may be associated with the ability of these animals to copulate during the intermolt, supplying a high proportion of mature individuals over time and ensuring continuity of reproduction year-round.

Biologia reprodutiva de Talitroides topitotum (Burt) (Crustacea, Amphipoda, Talitridae) na Serra do Mar, Guaratuba, Paraná, Brasil

Uma análise da distribuição do comprimento do corpo e da correlação entre a fecundidade e o comprimento do corpo foi realizada em uma população do anfípodo terrestre Talitroides topitotum (Burt, 1934) no entorno da Usina Hidroelétrica de Guaricana, Serra do Mar, Guaratuba, Estado do Paraná, Brasil. Os anfípodos foram coletados com redes de Malaise erguidas em meio à Floresta Ombrófila, mensalmente, de junho de 1985 a junho de 1986. Um total 2191 anfípodos foi coletado, dos quais 1626 fêmeas com oostegitos, mas sem ovos no marsúpio, 558 fêmeas ovígeras, seis juvenis e um adulto sem caracteres sexuais secundários. Nenhum macho foi obtido. Os ovos contidos no marsúpio das fêmeas foram contados. O comprimento do corpo dos anfípodos foi obtido através de imagens fotografadas com o animal em decúbito lateral. Fêmeas maturas somaram 98,54% da população amostrada. O comprimento do corpo dos juvenis variou de 2,88 a 5,97 mm, enquanto o das fêmeas maturas (incluindo as ovígeras) de 7,00 a 14,43 mm, sendo este valor máximo, o maior registrado até o presente para a espécie. A classe modal das fêmeas maturas sem ovos no marsúpio foi 8,50 mm, ao passo que a das fêmeas ovígeras, a de 9,50 mm. Fêmeas ovígeras estiveram presentes durante todo o ano, em percentual que variou de 8 a 40%; na distribuição da freqüência relativa, foram observados quatro picos (julho, outubro e dezembro de 1985 e março de 1986).

Peracáridos associados aos bancos de Phragmatopoma caudata (Kröyer) (Polychaeta, Sabellariidae) na Praia de Caiobá, Matinhos, Paraná

A study about composition, relative abundance and densities of peracarid populations associated to worm reefs of P. caudata (Kroyer, 1856) from Caioba Beach, Matinhos, State of Parana (25o51'S and 48o 32'W) was carried out. Monthly samples were obtained from August/1997 to July/1998. The density was calculated as the number of individuais per liter of worm reef. Three amphipod and three isopod species were obtained. The total density of the amphipod populations varied from 3.85 ind./l (July) to 70.56 ind./l (December) and that of the isopod from 0.25 ind./l (May) to 11.73 ind./l (March), The annual fluctuation of the amphipod densities was closely related to the weight fluctuation of the associated algae. The most numerous amphipod species was Elasmopus pectenicrus (Bate, 1862) followed by Hyale media (Dana, 1853) and Ericthonius brasiliensis (Dana, 1853). The isopod Paradynoides brasiliensis Loyola e Silva, 1960 was the most numerous followed by Excirolana armata (Dana, 1852) and Dynoides castroi Loyola e Silva, 1960. All amphipods and two isopod species were considered as constant species and they showed continuous breeding all year round. The occurrence of males, females (including ovigerous ones) and juveniles in the most amphipod and isopod populations in the present study indicates that these peracarids perform a complete life cycle within the Phragmatopoma caudata reefs. These constitute an alternative substrate to peracarids living on phytal and sandy habitats.

Prevalence, geographic distribution, and fitness effects of Microphallus turgidus (trematoda: Microphallidae) in grass shrimp (Palaemonetes spp.) from coastal Georgia.

Grass shrimp, Palaemonetes pugio Holthuis and P. vilgaris (Say), were collected at 11 localities along the coast of Georgia and surveyed for digenetic trematode metacercariae. The effect of trematode infection on grass shrimp fitness was also examined. Microphallus turgidas (Leigh) was the only trematode observed. The prevalence of metacercarial cysts of this parasite in P. pugio (75%) was higher than in P. vulgaris (24%), as were the mean intensity, abundance, and population density (no. cysts/cm host body length) of the parasite. Infected shrimp were found at every collection locality and parasite prevalence and density were greatest in P. pugio from higher salinity localities (> or = 20 parts per thousand [ppt]). There was no relation between host body size and parasite density in P. vulgaris, and parasite density increased with host body size in P. pugio, suggesting that the parasite does not affect host survival. There was no relation between parasite density and shrimp egg mass, but nonovigerous female P. pugio were more heavily infected than ovigerous ones. In addition, 1 metacercaria of M. turgidus in each of 2 specimens of P. vulgaris was parasitized by the haplosporidian Urosporidium crescens De Turk. This represents a new shrimp host record for this hyperparasite.

Ecologia populacional dos Amphipoda (Crustacea) dos fitais de Caiobá, Matinhos, Paraná, Brasil

Spalial and temporal density distributions of Amphipoda from the phytals of Caioba are described. Air temperature oscillated from 16oC (August and May) to 23oC (March), surface water temperature from 17oC (August) to 25oC (March) and the salinity from 29.3‰ (May) to 32.8‰ (August). Two samples of 25cm2 (for algae less than 5cm long), 100 cm2 (for algae between 5-10cm long) and whole plants (for algae more than 10cm long) were removed with a spatula from the rocky surface at Caioba Beach, in August/86, November/86, March/87 and May/87. After sorting, the algal substrata were weighted, their adsorption coefficient calculated and the sediment retained among the thallii weighted. The average distance between the branching was measured for all branched algae. The densities were calculated in relation to the weight of the algal substrate in grams. Eight phytals were considered: Ulva fasciata Delile, Padina gymnospora (Kutzing) Vickers, Sargassum cymosum Garth, Porphyra atropurpurea (Olivi) De Toni, Gelidium sp., Gymnogongrus griffithsiae (Turner) Martius, Pterocladia capillacea (Gmelin) Bornet &Thurel and Pterosiphonia pennata (Roth) Falkenberg, over which nine Amphipoda species live: Ampithoe ramondi Audouin, 1816, Cymadusa filosa Savigny, 1852, Elasmopus pectenicrus Bate, 1857, Hyale media Dana, 1857, Hyale sp.l, Jassa falcata Montagu, 1895 and Sunampithoe pelagica H. Milne-Edwards, 1830 (Gammaridea). Caprella danilevskii Czerniavski, 1861 and Caprella penantis Leach, 1814 (Caprellidea). Amphipoda densities ranged from 0.27 ind.g-1 to 45.68. ind.g-1. The broad-thallii algae Porphyra, Ulva and Padina harbored lower densities of Amphipoda, whereas those finely branched Pterocladia, Pterosiphonia and Gymnogongrus, the highest values and the less branched Sargassum and Gelidium, intermediate values. The high densities found in the finely branched algae had as main contribution the juvenile recruiting of most Amphipoda. The tide level might have influenced the temporal distribution of the Amphipoda density, due to the distinct time of air exposition in eaeh collection data. Most Amphipoda did not show specific algal substratum colonization: only Sunampithoe pelagica occurred solely in Sargassum. Four species occurred in different branched algae: J. falcata. S. pelagica. C. danilevskii and C. penantis. H. media had Sargassum, Pterocladia, Pterosiphonia and Gymnogongrus as the best algal substrata, whereas Caprellidea, the Pterocladia and Pterosiphonia phytals. High sediment weight in Padina was the main reason for high densities of Hyale sp.l in this phytal. The occurrence of males, females (including ovigerous ones) and juveniles of most Amphipoda species found in the present study indicates a complete life cycle whithin these phytals and corroborates with the assumption of the complexity of this marine coastal ecosystem.

Distribution and Migrations of the Prawn Palaemon longirostris in the Mira River Estuary (Southwest Portugal)

Palaemon longirostris was sampled monthly at 12 sites in the Mira River estuary (southwest Portugal) from October 1990 to September 1991. Animals were counted, measured, and sexed. The estuarine distribution of prawns appeared to follow the salinity displacement, the animals being found at river stations during summer and autumn when saline encroachment up the estuary was greater. During winter and spring when freshwater input from the river was greatest, and thus moving the salinity gradient toward the mouth, the prawns migrated downstream to brackish areas. Ovigerous females were collected only from estuarine areas (January to August), suggesting that reproduction does not take place in freshwater habitats. Higher percentages of females than males were generally observed. Females, particularly ovigerous ones, were larger than males.

Revision of Vercoia Baker (Crustacea : Decopoda : Crangonidae)

Until recently, the rare crangonid genus Vercoia had been known from three specimens of the only species, V. gibbosa Baker, 1904, collected from South Australia and the Marshall Is. Additional records of three further specimens from South Australia and Queensland are provided in this study, as well as a redescription of the species, based on the holotype and four other specimens. Only females and juveniles of this species are known. The immature females differ from the ovigerous ones in the development of median-sternal structures on the thorax and abdomen. A second species, V. socotrana, sp. nov., based on a single ovigerous female from off Socotra I., north-western Indian Ocean, is described. It may be easily distinguished from the type species by the presence of an extremely broad merus on the second pereiopod.