Coquimbo - Chile 14- 17 October 2007 ABSTRACTS

ABSTRACTS Keynote Lectures Symposium Contributions Oral Contributions Poster Contributions

21 Coquimbo - Chile 14- 17 October 2007 KEYNOTE LECTURES

LIFE CYCLES AND POPULATION DYNAMICS OF HOLOPLANKTONIC COPEPODA IN THE HUMBOLDT CURRENT SYSTEM Escribano, R. Center for Oceanographic Research in the eastern South Pacific (COPAS), Departamento de Oceanografía, Universidad de Concepción, Chile. E-mail: [email protected]

Crustacean holoplanktonic Copepoda are the main grazers in the pelagic system of the world ocean and a key component for the carbon cycling and functioning of the ocean biological pump. In the last few decades, our knowledge on life histories and population dynamics of key copepod species of the Humboldt Current has substantially increased, enhancing the understanding of phenological responses to environmental forcing. A key process modulating population dynamics and life history traits of copepods is the wind-driven coastal upwelling. Upwelling fuels primary producers, providing a rich variety of autotrophic and heterotrophic organisms which are both efficiently utilized by copepods as food supply. However, upwelling also exerts a strong influence on physiological adaptations, because of a highly heterogeneous coastal environment over the space and time. Copepods ought to adopt mechanisms to cope with highly patchy food resources, strong horizontal and vertical gradients in temperature, density and dissolved oxygen and constraints imposed by a very shallow oxygen minimum zone, which may restrict their habitat in the vertical plane. Copepod populations have certainly succeeded in evolving adaptations to upwelling forcing, although trade-off processes are certainly occurring, such as non-linear interaction with prey organisms and strong predation pressure by carnivorous zooplankton and fishes. These two processes may modulate copepod recruitment and mortality and so influencing patterns of population growth. In this work, the main features of population dynamics of dominant species of copepods of the Humboldt Current and their adaptations to upwelling variation are revised, aiming at gaining an integrated view of plankton dynamics of pelagic crustacean in highly productive coastal upwelling systems.

PARENTAL CARE IN BRACHYURAN CRABS: THE EFFECTS OF BODY SIZE AND TEMPERATURE Fernández, M. Estación Costera de Investigaciones Marinas & Center for Advance Studies in Ecology and Biodiversity, Dpto de Ecología, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, Santiago, Chile. E-mail: [email protected]

Although the ecological pressures that select for parental care in aquatic and terrestrial environments may be similar, the constraints imposed by the environment to aggregate the embryos and to care them differ, as do the patterns of investment in parental care. The constraints to brooding in the ocean seem to be related to the physical characteristics of aquatic environments. Several lines of evidence suggest that oxygen concentration is a limiting factor. In fact, constraints to supply oxygen to aggregated embryo masses is one of the mechanisms invoked to explain the allometric relationship between the capacity to produce eggs and the capacity for incubation. This capacity, in turn, might be affected by temperature, since oxygen demand of the embryos increases with temperatures. I studied the constraints to supply oxygen to aggregated embryo masses and the associated costs, using as model Brachyuran crabs (an exception to the rule) of different body sizes. I also evaluated the effect of temperature. Results show that the cost of brooding is insignificant at small body sizes, and extremely high at large body sizes, pattern that seems to affect egg production and limit parental care at large body size. Brooding behavior and the cost of oxygen provision increases with temperature while reproductive output decreases, suggesting a tradeoff between investment in eggs and the cost of providing oxygen to the embryos at different temperatures (latitudes). These patterns may also apply to other marine invertebrates since oxygen limitation during early development occurs in other brooding species, and might have consequences on population dynamics and species distribution. In fact, recent studies along the coast of Chile show that sea surface temperature explain the decrease in diversity of brooding species at low latitudes (high temperatures) among Brachyuran, Anomuran and Mollusc species. These results relate the mechanisms constraining parental care in the ocean with the consequences on population dynamics and biodiversity patterns. Fondecyt 1060489, FONDAP-Fondecyt grant 1501-0001, Pew Foundation

22 Coquimbo - Chile 14- 17 October 2007 KEYNOTE LECTURES

DEEPWATER DECAPODS AND THEIR FISHERY ALONG THE PACIFIC COAST OF LATIN AMERICA Wehrtmann, I.S.1, Arana, P.M.2 1 Centro de Investigación en Ciencias del Mar y Limnología (CIMAR) and Escuela de Biología, Universidad de Costa Rica, San Pedro, San José 2060, Costa Rica; 2 Escuela de Ciencias del Mar, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Valparaíso, Casilla 1020, Valparaíso, Chile. E-mail: [email protected]

A considerable number of marine shallow water fisheries show clear signs of overfishing. Due to this situation, scientific and commercial efforts have increased during the last few decades to gather information concerning the ecology and fishery- biology of deepwater resources. Decapod crustaceans represent an ecological and economical important portion of the deepwater fisheries in the world. Regarding the Pacific of Latin America, especially Chile and Costa Rica are commercially exploiting several decapod species inhabiting waters below 200 meters. Here we present a brief overview of our current knowledge about the biology of the following commercially important deepwater decapods from the Pacific coast of Latin America: Solenocera agassizii, Haliporoides diomedeae, Campylonotus semistriatus, Heterocarpus reedi, H. vicarius, H. affinis, Pleuroncodes planipes, P. monodon, Cervimunida johni, Lithodes antarcticus and Chaceon chilensis. During the second part of our presentation, we present currently used fishing techniques and fishery statistics of these decapods in Pacific Latin America, focusing on statistics concerning Heterocarpus spp.. By-catch is a serious and well known problem associated with bottom trawl fisheries. We present the by-catch composition of shrimp fisheries in Costa Rica and Chile, and discuss problems associated with by-catch and discard rates in some deepwater shrimp fisheries in the area. Finally, we describe current management plans for selected commercially exploited deepwater decapods in Pacific Latin America, highlight their strengths and weaknesses, and compare these strategies with those implemented in similar decapod fisheries outside of Latin America.

23 Coquimbo - Chile 14- 17 October 2007 SYMPOSIUM CONTRIBUTIONS

INTRASPECIFIC VARIABILITY: A NEGLECTED FRONTIER IN THE LARVAL BIOLOGY OF DECAPOD CRUSTACEANS Anger, K. BAH/AWI, Helgoland, Germany. E-mail: [email protected]

Developmental patterns in decapod crustaceans are commonly considered as canalized, i.e. as constant species-specific traits, which are relevant for phylogenetic analyses. However, there are numerous examples of intraspecific variability in larval morphology and developmental pathways, especially in caridean shrimps. This “background noise” has widely been ignored, although it may affect conclusions drawn from interspecific comparisons in the contexts of taxonomy and life-history evolution. Intraspecific variability in the number and morphology of successive stages also impedes the identification and staging of field-collected larvae, impairing studies of their ecology, growth, dispersal, and recruitment. On the other hand, experimental studies of the extent and causes of developmental variability under controlled conditions may provide new criteria (in addition to rates of survival, moulting and growth) that can be used for the evaluation of larval fitness in relation to different environmental conditions: Morphologically stunted forms occurring after a given number of moults may indicate sublethal physical or nutritional stress prevailing during the period of larval development, while rapid morphogenesis should reflect favourable conditions. Variability in developmental patterns may also result from carry-over effects of previous conditions persisting from the embryonic through the larval phase. Similarly, variations in larval traits may affect the recruitment success and postmetamorphic fitness of benthic juveniles. Plastic developmental traits are therefore potentially relevant for population dynamics, distribution patterns, and the formation of metapopulations in benthic species with complex life cycles. Moreover, the testing of cultivation techniques, especially in shrimp aquaculture, should benefit from the introduction of additional evaluation criteria. In conclusion, intraspecific variability remains a frontier in larval biology that should no longer be neglected.

GUIDELINES FOR THE EXPLOITATION OF A VIRGIN RESOURCE IN THE FRAMEWORK OF A ROBUST HARVEST STRATEGY Barón, P.J.1,2, Leal, G.A.1, Dellatorre, F.G.1, Parma, A.M.1 1 Centro Nacional Patagónico (CONICET) Argentina; 2 National Technological University. E-mail: [email protected]

Exploitation of commercial true crabs along the Atlantic coasts of Argentine Patagonia has not acquired the status of a formal fishery yet. Although two commercially promising resources, the swimming crab Ovalipes trimaculatus and the stone crab Platyxanthus patagonicus, are available to artisanal fishermen, landings have been sporadic. However, since traditional shellfish resources are fully exploited, processors and small-scale fishermen are asking the provincial fisheries administrations to set regulations for the exploitation of crab resources. In this presentation we will outline the technical advice that is being provided, based on the study of the reproductive ecology and life history of both species. O. trimaculatus, a dweller of open subtidal sandy bottoms exhibits a typical “mate defence” strategy (sensu Emlen & Oring, 1977), while P. patagonicus fits more closely a “resource defence” strategy, living in structured habitats down to depths in excess of 100m. Both are “soft shell mating” species with no terminal molt. A 3S (size, sex, season) strategy seems suitable to manage both resources, but additional controls may be required. Due to its territorial nature, explicit definition of spatial reproductive reserves may be suitable for maintaining the reproductive potential of P. patagonicus. Monitoring the operational sex ratio may help to adjust harvest controls. Some warnings are highlighted attending to the threats and opportunities presented by these developing fisheries.

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FROM RIVER TO SEA AND BACK AGAIN: LIFE HISTORY MIGRATIONS OF THE AMPHIDROMOUS RIVER SHRIMP MACROBRACHIUM OHIONE Bauer, R.T. Department of Biology, University of Louisiana, Lafayette, 70504-2451, USA. E-mail: [email protected]

A variety of atyid and palaemonid caridean shrimps have amphidromous life cycles in which adults live in freshwater but larvae develop in marine waters. The settling juveniles must migrate back up rivers into the adult habitat. Anecdotal evidence suggested that river shrimps (Macrobrachium spp.) from southeastern USA are amphidromous. In this study, the hypothesis of amphidromy was tested with observations on the reproductive, larval, and juvenile biology of M. ohione in the Atchafalaya River, a major distributary of the Mississippi River, which empties into the Gulf of Mexico. Experiments showed that nonfeeding stage 1 (newly hatched) larvae maintained in freshwater lived only for about one week without molting to stage 2, but those maintained in 15 ppt water molted to stage 2 (first feeding stage) within 4-7 days, indicating extended planktonic development. Females were only collected in the estuarine Atchafalaya Delta during the breeding season (April-August) but throughout the year at other sites 40 and 110 km upriver. Incubating females and those near hatching were relatively more abundant nearer to the estuary. Measures of embryo incubation period and estimates of larval developmental time indicated that juvenile migration from the Gulf should occur by late June or early July. Such a migration was observed at both upriver sites in mid-July, 2005 and 2006. Juveniles swam upstream near the surface at night at ~1 km h-1in a 1-2 m wide band along the bank (at very high densities during peak migration). It is hypothesized that the major reduction in M. ohione in its former northern range is related to disruption of the juvenile migration by river control structures and other riverbank habitat changes.

CHEMICAL COMMUNICATION IN CRAYFISH: THE ROLE OF URINARY SIGNALS IN DOMINANCE AND COURTSHIP INTERACTIONS Breithaupt, T. Department of Biological Sciences, University of Hull, Hull, UK. E-mail: [email protected]

The significance of chemical communication in crayfish has been the subject of scientific debate in the past. Previous conflicting results may have been caused by reductionist approaches investigating the response of isolated crayfish to chemical stimuli. In our group, we use urine visualization techniques to study chemical communication within the natural behavioral context. We showed that urinary signals are employed in aggressive interactions and that these signals are important to establish and maintain dominance. The molecular nature of dominance pheromones is still unclear. Serotonin metabolites previously suggested to mediate dominance recognition are detectable in the urine. Urinary concentrations of this biogenic amine, however, do not differ between dominant and subordinate animals. Hence, information from this metabolite alone does not allow discrimination of different dominance states. Compared to dominance interactions the behavioral significance of urinary signals in courtship is less clear. Previous studies of the responses of isolated male crayfish to female urine suggested that receptive females release urinary pheromones. When males and females encounter each other, the interaction is aggressive initially and includes urine signaling. This gradually changes into mating behavior with the male mounting and turning the female followed by spermatophore transfer. During the initial interaction the male appears to recognize a receptive female by assessing her urinary components. Consequently, males reduce urine release and alter their behavior from aggression to courtship. Females urine output is similar in aggressive and sexual interactions. Our results suggest that urine signaling is an aggressive behavior both in males and females. However, since urine contains a multitude of components it also conveys multiple information. Male receivers may assess sex specific components in female urine and recognize her receptivity despite the aggressive intent of the female signal. Current studies focus on the receivers’ response to urine signals in order to disentangle the various messages contained in urine signals of males and females.

25 Coquimbo - Chile 14- 17 October 2007 SYMPOSIUM CONTRIBUTIONS

FROM SEDENTARY LIFESTYLES TO SPECTACULAR MIGRATIONS: CONTRASTING MOVEMENT PATTERNS AMONG SPINY LOBSTER SPECIES Briones-Fourzán, P. Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Instituto de Ciencias del Mar y Limnología, Unidad Académica Puerto Morelos, Ap. Postal 1152, Cancún, Q. R., 77500 México. E-mail: [email protected]

Spiny lobsters inhabit shallow coral or rocky areas in all tropical and subtropical seas. They are usually the largest decapods in their habitats, but the patterns of movements vary widely among species and throughout their ontogeny. The long-lived oceanic larvae have little horizontal swimming abilities but may retard advection through vertical movements. The postlarvae are strong horizontal swimmers, presumably using sound cues to guide them back to coastal areas, where they settle in specific habitats. Some species spend the rest of their lives in the settlement habitat, some exhibit further habitat shifts, and some undergo extensive, long-distance migrations. Many species show homing abilities and can navigate using topographic, hydrodynamic, chemical, or even magnetic cues. This variety of movements is exemplified by the contrasting movement patterns between two congeneric species (Panulirus argus and P. guttatus) that coexist across the Caribbean region. Panulirus argus settles in shallow vegetated habitats but later becomes a crevice-dweller, moving across hard-bottom habitats to depths of around 60 m. Panulirus guttatus is a reef-obligate crevice-dweller during its entire benthic life. The two species coexist locally on coral reef habitats, but P. argus leaves the reef at night to forage extensively over adjacent open areas while P. guttatus forages over the reef itself. Each species uses conspecific chemical cues to congregate in dens, but P. argus appears more gregarious than P. guttatus. In both species, experimentally displaced individuals have shown the ability to return to their original reef area, suggesting that they retain spatial memory of their home range. Interestingly, however, P. guttatus has a highly sedentary lifestyle whereas, under specific circumstances, P. argus may undergo spectacular single-file migrations wherein individuals display remarkable coordinated behaviors. The different types of movements and their adaptive significances likely contribute to the ecological importance of spiny lobsters in many marine communities.

STOMATOPODS: A MODEL SYSTEM FOR HOW CHEMICAL COMMUNICATION MEDIATES AGONISTIC BEHAVIOUR IN CRUSTACEANS Caldwell, R.L. Department of Integrative Biology, University of California at Berkeley, Berkeley, CA, 94720-3140, USA. E-mail: [email protected]

Chemoreception evolved first in the context of feeding and reproduction, but as soon as organisms began to compete for limiting resources, be they food, living space or mates, chemical signals played a role mediating agonistic interactions. The general properties of chemical signals and their modes of transmission and reception, as with all modalities, shape their use. One feature of chemical signals is that they do not always reflect properties of the signaler. While visual, acoustical and tactile signals indicate the presence of the signaler and provide information about its physical state, odors can persist in the absence of the animal that produced them revealing little more than its ability and motivation to signal. However, if an odor contains sufficient information to allow for the identification of a known individual, previous experience with it may provide an animal with cues relevant to a potential conflict. When fighting ability and/or motivation to use it vary over time or location, recognition of individuals can be useful in gauging an agonistic response. Coupled with appropriate behavioral tactics, chemically mediated individual recognition can provide an effective means to prevent attacks on brooding or molting animals, particularly if combat is potentially costly. Stomatopods are well suited for studies on how chemical communication functions to mediate aggression. Possessing lethal weapons, a premium is placed on information about another individual’s strength and motivation to fight. While many stomatopods have well developed eyes and assess opponents visually, most contests are for cavities or burrows. This establishes an asymmetry favoring the use of chemical signals by the hidden cavity resident, visual signals by the exposed intruder. It is in this context that the identification of individuals using chemical cues has evolved. Recognition even operates interspecifically. The receptors responsible for this ability reside on the second flagellum of the antennule.

26 Coquimbo - Chile 14- 17 October 2007 SYMPOSIUM CONTRIBUTIONS

UPSTREAM MIGRATION OF FRESHWATER SHRIMP IN THE LUQUILLO MOUNTAINS, PUERTO RICO: GEOMORPHIC BARRIERS, DROUGHT, AND AVOIDANCE OF FISH PREDATORS Covich, A.P.1, Crowl, T.A.2 1 Institute of Ecology, University of Georgia, Athens, GA, USA; 2 Ecology Center, Utah State University, Logan, UT. , USA. E-mail:

The costs and benefits of upstream migration by freshwater species relate the expenditures of energy to move considerable distances against the flow of large rivers relative to the avoidance of inter- and intra-specific competition and predation. Evolution of this migratory behavior has occurred in parallel in many coastal rivers around the globe. Our long-term studies indicate the important role of waterfalls as physical barriers to fish predators and the availability of spatial refuge for post- larval shrimp. Densities and sizes increase above steep waterfalls (>10 m in height) and several species of Macrobrachium, Atya and Xiphocaris co-occur. Predation by Macrobrachium on Xiphocaris appears to be an additional predatory interaction in the upper headwaters even where fish exclusion occurs above waterfalls. In deep pools with base flow, prey species minimize direct exposure to Macrobrachium. However, the oscillation of Macrobrachium and Xiphocaris abundances appears to be influenced by drought-driven declines in pool depths when the shrimp predator-prey encounter probabilities increased as a result of reduced pool volumes, habitat reductions and lack of effective chemical communication. Xiphocaris chemically detect Macrobrachium at base flow and minimize their upstream movement into pools when these predators are present. Future climate changes are expected to result in more frequent and intense droughts and other disturbances that will likely have a significant impact on shrimp community structure and dynamics.

CHEMORECEPTION IN LOVE, FEAR, AND ARMS RACES OF DECAPOD CRUSTACEANS Derby, C.D. Dept. of Biology, Georgia State University, Atlanta, Georgia USA. E-mail: [email protected]

I will present three case studies from work in my laboratory on the use of chemical cues and chemoreception in defense, alarm, and sex of decapod crustaceans. We are identifying the molecular cues involved in these behaviors, the sensory pathways that detect these cues, and the biological contexts that influence the nature of the responses. The first example is chemical defenses by sea hares (Aplysia spp.) against predatory spiny lobsters (Panulirus spp.). Sea hares release ink when vigorously attacked by lobsters. Ink acts as a chemical defense in several ways, one of which is ‘phagodeception.’ This is a mechanism whereby sea hares deceive lobsters into attending to their ink, which contains millimolar doses of feeding stimulants (amino acids), thereby allowing the sea hares to escape. The second example is alarm and aggregation pheromones in Caribbean spiny lobsters (Panulirus argus). Spiny lobsters are social animals that avoid blood from conspecifics. Urine from conspecifics can induce either avoidance or aggregation, depending on the context of its reception. Alarm cues are species selective. Alarm responses are evoked by many molecules in blood, and we have identified several of them. The third story is sex pheromones in blue crab (Callinectes sapidus). We are attempting to identify female pheromones that induce courtship display in male crabs, including using metabolomics to identify female-selective chemicals. We have identified several molecules to which males are sensitive, though to date, none activate male courtship display alone or in combination. These alarm, aggregation, and sex pheromones are detected exclusively by the aesthetasc sensilla of the antennules, which is only one of many sensillar types in these crustaceans. Our studies show that aesthetascs functionally overlap with other sensilla in detecting and discriminating food odors, but they are unique in mediating responses to pheromones. Supported by NSF grant IBN-0324435 and 0614685

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FISHERY AND BIOLOGY OF THE BLUE CRAB Callinectes sapidus AT PATOS LAGOON ESTUARY, BRAZIL D’Incao, F., Fonseca, D.B. Laboratório de Crustáceos Decápodes, Departamento de Oceanografia - FURG. Caixa Postal 474. 96.201-900 – Rio Grande, RS. Brazil. E-mail: [email protected]

Callinectes sapidus is widely distributed species on the western Atlantic, and it is an important fishery resource, particularly on the coast of the USA. In the “Lagoa dos Patos” estuary (Southern Brazil), C. sapidus is the most successful species of the genus. In this estuary, this crab used to be bycatch of the artisanal fishery of the pink shrimp (Fanfantepenaeus paulensis). Having a lower commercial importance than shrimps, blue crabs used to be discarded. However, with decreasing catches of the pink shrimp fishery in the last two decades, blue crabs have not been discarded anymore and they have been targeted as an alternative resource by the artisanal fishery. During periods of the highest shrimp abundance (December to May), blue crabs caught as bycatch come from legal gears, such as “saquinho” (fyke net), and from illegal gears such as otter trawl and “coca” (net used locally). During periods of low shrimp abundance, gears targeted to blue crabs are utilized, such as “cordinha” (sort of long line). While there are no reliable data about landings and fishing effort in the estuary, there is indication of a decrease of the blue crabs abundance, which is supported by the comparison of data from past scientific surveys with data obtained recently. Reasons for this decrease in abundance are likely related to increases of the bycatch and to the predatory catch of ovigerous females on the coastal region near the estuary mouth. Recent studies have shown that the average size of first catch is smaller than the legal size (120 mm CW), while size on the onset of maturation is between 105-108 mm. Studies in development aiming to understand the reproductive biology and age structure (using neurolipofuscin approach) of this crab can provide useful information for the management of this fishery.

SPATIAL AND TEMPORAL ANALYSIS OF FEMALE SNOW CRAB REPRODUCTIVE OUTPUT IN THE EASTERN BERING SEA: BIOLOGICAL AND PHYSICAL FACTORS Ernst, B.1, Orensanz, L.2, Armstrong, D.A.3 1 Department of Oceanography, University of Concepción, Concepción, Chile; 2 Centro Nacional Patagónico (CENPAT/CONICET), 9120 Puerto Madryn, Argentina; 3 School of Aquatic and Fishery Sciences, University of Washington, Seattle. E-mail: [email protected]

Snow crab (C. opilio) stocks from the eastern Bering Sea (EBS) have fluctuated dramatically in the last 30 years, showing low abundance in recent years. This has brought concerns regarding the health of the snow crab stocks and the future of the fishery. Recent analyses on the EBS female snow crab population have shown a substantial spatial contraction to the NW, which could be affecting its overall reproductive potential. Traditional stock assessment methods used for these stocks ignore most of the spatial complexity in spawning stock calculation. In this analysis we assessed the Female Effective Reproductive Output (FERO) of snow crab on spatial and temporal scales. We identified the following main factors in our calculations: (a) fecundity-at-size; (b) clutch fullness; (c) abundance and (d) annual/biennial reproductive cycles. Finally we assessed the temporal variability in bottom low temperature area (≤ 1ºC) to model environmental effects on female biennial reproductive schedule and evaluate its effect on FERO.

28 Coquimbo - Chile 14- 17 October 2007 SYMPOSIUM CONTRIBUTIONS

SEX PHEROMONE COMPLEXITIES IN THE SHORE CRAB, Carcinus maenas. Fletcher, N., Bublitz, R., Smith, M., and Hardege, J.D. Dept. Biol. Sciences, Hull University, Hull, HU6 7RX, UK; E-mail: [email protected]

We studied the behavioural functions of 20-hydroxyecdysone (Crustecdysone, 20-HE) the Crustacean moulting hormone and the recently identified female sex pheromone in male shore crabs, Carcinus maenas. We show that 20-HE has sex specific feeding deterrent capacity on male crabs but not on females. In combination with the mating inducing properties of the female produced sex pheromone, 20-HE may ensure that male crabs form reproductive pairs and mate with ‘soft’ shelled mature female crabs. Responses to the synthetic female sex pheromone vary between individual males depending on a male’s hierarchical position in a population (dominance status), pre-post agonistic encounters, seasonality and the quality of the female’s signal as expressed in differences in the female pheromone bouquet over the moult cycle. We discuss these behavioural complexities and present evidence for assortative mating, alternative mating tactics and mate choice in C. maenas based on chemical signals.

PHYLOGEOGRAPHY OF THE CAVE AMPHIPOD, Gammarus minus Fong, D.W. Department of Biology, American University, Washington, D.C., USA. E-mail: [email protected]

The amphipod Gammarus minus is the dominant macroinvertebrate in spring and cave ecosystems in the Appalachian karst of the eastern United States. Although it is commonly found in cave streams throughout its range, only cave populations in two small areas exhibit morphological adaptation to the aphotic environment. Previous studies based on allozyme variation indicate substantial amount of intraspecific genetic variation. Here I present results from a survey of variation within and between spring and cave populations based on nucleotide sequence of the cytochrome c oxidase I (COI) mitochondrial gene. Spring populations show extensive within population variation, and some of the spring populations may have experienced population expansions. Spring populations within a hydrological unit may be ephemeral, with each population experiencing periodic extinction and reestablishment by migrants from other populations. Cave populations show fewer haplotypes and significantly depressed variation relative to spring populations, indicative of recent population bottlenecks or founder effects, and at least one cave population also show evidence of recent expansion. The average divergence among hydrologically distinct populations is more consistent with interspecific difference than intraspecific polymorphism. The cave populations are significantly different from spring populations and from each other; each likely the result from an independent episode of cave colonization and isolation. The different cave populations may thus represent a complex of species. This idea is supported by morphological differences among cave populations, where each population has lost a different set of the components of the compound eye. Spring populations from different hydrological units were also different relative to within hydrological units, suggesting little opportunity for migration among hydrological units. Ongoing work includes analysis of sequences of a nuclear gene and obtaining COI sequences from additional populations from more hydrological units.

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EVOLUTIONARY ECOLOGY OF Gammarus IN SPRING ENVIRONMENTS Glazier, D.S. Department of Biology, Juniata College, Huntingdon, USA 16652. E-mail: [email protected]

Amphipods in freshwater springs represent an excellent model system for studying a variety of ecological and evolutionary problems. Amphipods are easy to collect and study in both the field and laboratory, and the relatively stable physico-chemical conditions within springs, combined with the great environmental diversity among springs, provide a wonderful natural laboratory for biologists. My students, colleagues and I have used this system to increase our understanding of the evolutionary ecology of the spring-dwelling amphipod Gammarus minus in the mid-Appalachian region of North America. In this talk I shall review some of our past and ongoing work, as well as place it in the context of similar work carried out on other amphipod species in various aquatic habitats. Topics that I hope briefly to discuss include: (1) genetic differentiation among G. minus populations, (2) an energy-budget analysis of why G. minus cannot survive in acidic soft water, (3) life- history variation in G. minus and other amphipod species in relation to fish predation and water temperature, (4) the apparent ecological and cellular basis for variation in the scaling of metabolic rate with body mass in G. minus populations, (5) the incidence of intersexuality in G. minus populations and its relation to reproductive fitness, and (6) the effect of water- temperature variability in springs and streams on the population dynamics of amphipods. As a result, I hope to show that the amphipod-spring system offers many kinds of useful opportunities for carrying out interesting biological research.

MOVEMENT IN THE LIFE HISTORY OF THE BLUE CRAB Callinectes sapidus. Hines, A.H.1, Aguilar, R.1, Wolcott, T.W.2, Johnson, E.G.1, Dineen, J.F.3, Reed, S.A.3 1 Smithsonian Environmental Research Center, PO Box 28, Edgewater, MD, USA 21037; 2 Department of Marine, Earth & Atmospheric Sciences, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC. E-mail: [email protected]

During their life history, blue crabs migrate among and use a wide range of estuarine habitats along eastern North America. For 25+ years we have applied diverse techniques to characterize movement for each life stage. Brooding females are observed to hatch eggs in high salinity estuarine mouth on nocturnal ebb spring tides, and plankton sampling shows zoeae swim to the surface, resulting in seaward transport onto the continental shelf. Sampling indicates megalops undergo selective tidal stream transport (STST) on nocturnal spring flood tides for return into the estuary, where passive larval collectors indicate they settle on sharp semi-lunar peaks into seagrass beds. After growing to 6-7th crab instar (20mm), juveniles can be caught by surface beam trawls on nocturnal flood tides while dispersing to low-salinity nursery habitats of subestuaries. Small 20-70mm juveniles injected with micro-wire and elastomer remain to grow within shallow coves with fringing marshes. Small biotelemetry tags reveal juveniles forage in nearshore shallows, where tethering indicates mortality is decreased. Telemetry also shows that juveniles move to coarse woody debris of fallen trees to obtain refuge during molting. Strategic trapping and customized telemetry of movement, feeding, agonism, molting, and mating show that males undergoing their pubertal molt move into salt creek habitats away from cannibalistic intermolt adults; whereas females molt to maturity move near the mouths of subestuaries to pair with intermolt adult males. Foraging adult crabs forage in deeper (>1m) water of subestuaries where they meander slowly (10m/hr) and aggregate on clam patches until agonism stimulates rapid (400-1000m/hr) departure to a new prey patch. In fall fishery returns of externally tagged crabs show males move into adjacent deeper waters; whereas mature females migrate down estuary along channels to spawning areas. Movement ceases below 10oC in winter. Our studies provide unusually comprehensive insight into movement of an important species.

30 Coquimbo - Chile 14- 17 October 2007 SYMPOSIUM CONTRIBUTIONS

BASES FOR MANAGEMENT AND RECOVERY OF KING CRAB FISHERIES IN THE SOUTHWESTERN ATLANTIC Lovrich, G.A., Tapella, F. Centro Austral de Investigaciones Científicas (CADIC-CONICET) – Houssay 200, Ushuaia, Tierra del Fuego, Argentina. E- mail: [email protected]

In Southern South America, fishing for king crabs began in the 1960s, basic management rules were put in force in the 1980s, which were supported by studies done in the 1990s. Although size and sex selection, and a limited season were imposed to the mixed fishery for Lithodes santolla and Paralomis granulosa of the Beagle Channel, the fishery for the more valuable L. santolla has collapsed, closed, and is recovering very slowly. One of the solutions for the recovery of wild stocks is the population restocking. We have studied larval biology and settlement, as bases for restoring natural population with small crabs by using techniques of “cultivation and release”. Lithodes santolla larvae hatch once a year and their development is completed in fully lecitotrophy, without ingestion of external food. Development to crab I stage is strongly dependent on temperature and lasts from 20 to 120 days at 15ºC and 3ºC, respectively. Survival to megalopa is also dependent on temperature, with higher survivals at 6 and 9ºC. The highest molting frequency is attained at higher temperatures, and after 180 days individuals reach the crab III and VII stages –of about 3 and 6 mm CL– at 6 and 15ºC, respectively. Artificial collectors gather young-of-the-year crabs at <40 m depth. In cultures in 1,4 l-containers, the best survival to megalopa of 35% was obtained at the lowest tested density of 71 larvae·l-1. A survival to megalopa of 65% was attained in aerated containers of 10 l with inspections only at the molting time. Recently molted megalopae avoid sandy bottoms, and prefer mussel shells and rocks which provide three-dimension substrata. The next phase of crab enhancement research needs to include cultivation at a large scale, costs, releasing procedures (what stages, where, when and who), techniques for identification of released crabs, and effectiveness of such a program.

EVOLUTION OF THE AMPHIPODS OF LAKE BAIKAL; THEIR PLACEMENT WITHIN AND THE VALIDITY OF THE SUPERFAMILY GAMMAROIDEA Macdonald III, K.S. 93 Lipman Drive, Blake Hall, Department of Ecology, Evolution, and Natural Resources, Rutgers University, New Brunswick, NJ, 08901, USA. E-mail:

The amphipods of Lake Baikal, Russia make up a substantial portion of the superfamily Gammaroidea. Recent studies have suggested that Baikal’s amphipods have arisen from at most three ancestral invading amphipods, and their immense diversity has arisen almost entirely within the lake. However, understanding the phylogenetic history of Baikal’s amphipod fauna is difficult given the poor understanding of relationships at higher levels, especially the superfamily Gammaroidea, within which the Baikalian fauna presumably falls. The relationships of the Baikalian amphipods and the superfamily Gammaroidea will be examined using both nuclear and mitochondrial markers. Over 100 species will be examined, including 60+ gammaroideans and representative species from at least 15 non-gammaroidean families. Preliminary results suggest that Gammaroidea is not monophyletic, consisting of two non-sister clades. One clade is made up of the Anisogammaridae; the other contains the remainder of the Gammaroidea. The Baikal amphipods consist of two monophyletic groups, both of which fall out within the cosmopolitan genus Gammarus. However, support for these relationships is low, and the ancestral Gammarus species closest to the Baikal fauna is still unknown.

31 Coquimbo - Chile 14- 17 October 2007 SYMPOSIUM CONTRIBUTIONS

SOUND AS A SETTLEMENT CUE: EVIDENCE FROM REEF FISHES AND CRUSTACEANS Montgomery, J. Leigh Marine Laboratory & School of Biological Sciences, University of Auckland, New Zealand. E-mail: [email protected]

Many reef fishes and decapod crustaceans have a pelagic life history phase followed settlement back onto the reef. This life history phase is very significant to the demographics of reef populations. Recent evidence shows that larvae are more actively involved in this transition than previous presumed. They are capable swimmers and can locate reefs from hundreds of metres if not kilometres away. Evidence also shows that sound is available as an orientation cue, and that fishes and crustaceans hear sound and orient to sound in a manner that is consistent with their use of sound to guide settlement onto reefs. Comparing particle motion sound strengths in the field with the measured behavioural and electrophysiological threshold of fishes of provides evidence that sound may be a useful orientation cue at a range of kilometres rather than hundreds of metres. These threshold levels are for adult fishes and better data are needed for larval fishes and crustaceans at the time of settlement. Measurements of field strengths in the region of reefs and threshold levels are suitable for showing that sound could be used; however, field experiments are the only effective tool to demonstrate the actual use of underwater sound for orientation purposes. A diverse series of field experiments including light-trap catches enhanced by replayed reef sound, in situ observations of behaviour and sound-enhanced settlement rate on patch reefs collectively provide a compelling case that sound is used as an orientation and settlement cue for these late larval stages.

CHANCE VS. PREDICTABILITY IN THE SURVIVAL OF LARVAE ACROSS SPECIES’ RANGES Morgan, S.G. Bodega Marine Laboratory, University of California Davis. Bodega Bay, CA 94923 USA. E-mail:

Historically, larvae often have been viewed as hapless victims of their environment being overwhelmed by stochastic planktonic processes resulting in erratic recruitment to adult populations. Because the safe return of larvae to adult habitats was viewed as random and unpredictable, many investigators believed that benthic processes regulated community structure and that dispersal was the driving force behind the evolution of planktonic larvae. However, this line of thinking does not adequately explain the dynamics of marine metapopulations nor the diversity of marine life histories. I will discuss the impact of both proximate and ultimate factors on adults and larvae of benthic crustaceans across species’ ranges. Three critical junctures of the planktonic phase of the life cycle will be covered using examples from my research program, including larval release, transport and recruitment. This work will be placed in the broader context of the evolution of diverse life histories and adaptation to environmental variation in the sea.

32 Coquimbo - Chile 14- 17 October 2007 SYMPOSIUM CONTRIBUTIONS

MODELING TRANSPORT AND SETTLEMENT PATTERNS OF SNOW CRAB DURING WARM AND COLD YEARS IN THE EASTERN BERING SEA Parada, C., Ernst, B., Orensanz, L., Armstrong, D.A., Hinckley, S. Alaska Fisheries Science Center (NOAA), 7600 Sand Point Way NE, Seattle, WA 98115, USA; Department of Oceanography, University of Concepción, Concepción, Chile. E-mail: [email protected]

An individual-based model for snow crab (Chionoecetes opilio) larvae coupled to a hydrodynamic model was implemented to study the transport and settlement patterns associated to warm (1979) and cold (1990) years in the Eastern Bering Sea (EBS). Oceanographic conditions from the hydrodynamic models were compared to near bottom temperature and drifter observation in order to validate the hydrodynamic output. Both years presented temperature-contrasting oceanographic conditions during the reproductive, transport and settlement period (May to October). Several simulation experiments to assess the destiny, trajectory and settlement of virtual larvae released in the middle and outer domain of the EBS were performed. The simulation experiments considered spatially explicit initial conditions of released crab larvae based on female effective reproductive output (FERO) calculations inferred from annual bottom trawl surveys. FERO is a function of several life history traits, including fecundity-at-age, fecundity-at-size, and abundance-at-age and biennial/annual cycles. The simulations experiments were run between May to October releasing particles on FERO localities that characterize each year at bottom depths. The behavior incorporated in the model for snow crab larvae considered simulate the release of particles representing snow crab larvae that reach mixed layer after being release and then stay in the mixed layer depth up to settlement time. Initial simulations showed that 1979 and 1990 years of release presented very different temperatures patterns. Even though current patterns both years are quite similar the settlement patterns differ due to temperature differences. The objective of this study compares the differences on both years and the effect of temperature at settlement time.

AGAINST WINDS AND TIDES: BIOPHYSICAL INTERACTIONS DURING LARVAL LIFE AND THE UNFINISHED STORY OF THE COMMON SHORE CRAB Queiroga, H. CESAM & Department of Biology, University of Aveiro, 3810-193 Aveiro, Portugal. E-mail: [email protected]

This communication addresses the knowledge accumulated during the last two decades on the biological and physical processes that regulate dispersal, recruitment and connectivity of populations of estuarine crabs. The biological model is the common shore crab, Carcinus maenas, and the environmental setting is the west coast of the Iberian Peninsula. When appropriate, findings pertaining to other estuarine crabs will also be reported. The larval story of this crab starts and ends inside estuaries. As in other similar species, downstream transport of first stage and upstream transport of last stage larvae are accomplished by selective tidal stream transport. There are indications that the tidally-synchronised vertical migrations displayed during downstream and upstream dispersal are controlled by different behaviours, viz. endogenous rhythm in the first case and response to exogenous tidal stimuli in the latter. Most part of larval development takes place in shelf waters. Here, larvae of this species perform diel vertical migrations of the nocturnal type, which span several tens of meters along the water column. In a background of upwelling circulation driven by along-shore winds this behaviour apparently promotes retention in near-shore waters, by partitioning the time spent in the seaward-moving surface layer and the bottom layer where the compensating shoreward current develops. This is contrary to the common held view that upwelling causes wastage of larvae from coastal waters. DVM may also help reduce along-shore transport, because of the time spent in the slow moving bottom layer. Results of modelling studies indicate that estuarine populations regularly exchange larvae on spatial scales of 100- 150 km. This is supported by independent analysis of genetic spatial structure, which indicates that populations on the northern Iberian coast are isolated from those on the southern coast. We are currently trying to complete our understanding of these processes by identifying the source of larvae recruiting to target populations.

33 Coquimbo - Chile 14- 17 October 2007 SYMPOSIUM CONTRIBUTIONS

PREDICTING CRUSTACEAN LARVAL BEHAVIOR AND SETTLEMENT: THE CHEMISTRY OF SETTLEMENT FROM A BIOLOGICAL PERSPECTIVE Rittschof, D. Nicholas School, Duke University Marine Laboratory Beaufort NC, USA 28516. E-mail: [email protected]

Settlement pheromones are central to gregarious settlement and in sessile crustaceans such as barnacles. The chemistry and origin of pheromones is exciting when considered in the context of the associated biological processes. Our recent studies provide evidence that barnacle settlement pheromones are generated when barnacle glue polymerizes. Glue is secreted as part of molting and growth. Barnacle glue polymerization is a form of blood clotting. Proteolytic clipping activates precursors of barnacle glue. The pheromones are the small clips generated during glue precursor activation. Thus, there is a direct relation between barnacle attachment, barnacle growth and the predictability and source of settlement pheromones. When considering historic studies of Arthropodin and SIPC in the context of curing of barnacle adhesive, one wonders if the adhesive polymerization/ pheromone relationship might be useful in understanding gregariousness in other sessile organisms.

MATING SYSTEMS AND THE CONSERVATION OF EXPLOITED MARINE CRUSTACEANS Sainte-Marie, B. Maurice Lamontagne Institute, Fisheries and Oceans Canada, 850 route de la Mer, CP 1000, Mont-Joli (Québec) Canada G5H 3Z4. E-mail: [email protected]

Fisheries for decapod crustaceans are often biased toward one gender and many of those targeting reptant decapods extract mostly or only large males. Excessive fishing of large males may throw the operational sex ratio out of balance, reduce the opportunity for female mate choice and promote sperm limitation. Females in turn may respond to sperm limitation by attempting to re-mate with the same male or with additional males. The direct (material) costs of sperm limitation and the direct costs or benefits of the compensatory mating behaviour depend on the species’ mating system and are variable, as illustrated by case studies of the American lobster (Homarus americanus) and snow crab (Chionoecetes opilio). Direct costs to the female range in scope from reduced fertilization rate to death, whereas direct benefits to the female are increased fertilization rate and/or sperm store. However, no study has yet measured the indirect (genetic) effects of reduced opportunity for female mate choice and of compensatory re-mating behaviour. Again, the indirect effects are likely to vary across species as illustrated by the working hypotheses that underlie ongoing experiments on American lobster and snow crab. The high diversity of decapod mating systems implies that species may vary greatly in their resilience to exploitation and that generic management strategies may be inappropriate for conservation. Detailed knowledge of mating systems acquired through field observations and experimental studies is essential for sustainable and economically profitable decapod fisheries.

34 Coquimbo - Chile 14- 17 October 2007 SYMPOSIUM CONTRIBUTIONS

POLAR AND DEEP SEAS: LIMITS TO LARVAL DEVELOPMENT IN EXTREME ENVIRONMENTS Thatje, S. National Oceanography Centre, Southampton, School of Ocean and Earth Science, University of Southampton, European Way, Southampton SO14 3ZH, United Kingdom. E-mail: [email protected]

Our knowledge of reproductive patterns in marine invertebrates adapted to rather extreme environmental conditions as found in polar and deep-seas is still very limited. Generally, low but relatively stable temperatures and short periods of food availability characterize both deep-sea and polar environments. Within physiological limits, an increased investment of maternal energy into offspring has been postulated in response to these conditions, often summarized as the evolutionary temperature adaptation of invertebrate reproduction, which in some taxa appears to be limited by phylogenetic constraint. Reproductive patterns in relation to (latitudinal/ depth) shifts in temperature and food availability are to some extent understood in decapod crustaceans. I will review the unifying principles that I suggest to have triggered the evolution of invertebrate reproductive patterns in both environments. I will furthermore highlight the effects of the widely ignored factor pressure on invertebrate larval development by presenting preliminary data of laboratory based pressure experiments and question whether pressure (in addition to low temperatures and food shortage) is a possible impediment to complex larval cycles. In order to stimulate future work, I will discuss how this may have affected faunistic affinities between deep-sea – polar and deep-sea – shallow-water environments over evolutionary periods of time.

ROLE OF THE ECOLOGICAL LANDSCAPE IN DIVERSIFICATION OF Hyalella AMPHIPODS IN NORTH AMERICA Wellborn, G.A. Department of Zoology and Biological Station, University of Oklahoma, Norman, OK 73019. E-mail:

Deterministic processes, such as adaptation, give substantial structure to evolutionary radiations. Structure is seen in the form and distribution of character states among species, and in the tempo of both lineage and phenotypic diversification. In a broad sense it is constraints that provide structure to an evolutionary radiation. Studies of adaptive radiation focus on ecological constraints that are imposed through natural selection in response to environmental conditions and act on traits that influence niche utilization. To the extent that fitness is determined by ecological conditions, the adaptive landscape metaphor is largely a model of ecological constraint, with evolutionary pathways constrained to scaling fitness peaks. Amphipods in the genus Hyalella have diversified extensively in North America since invading from South America several million years ago. Although we are just beginning to understand this radiation, the diversification of Hyalella in North America appears to be characterized by substantial species formation, but comparatively little phenotypic diversification. Ecological constraints may play an important role in limiting the scope of their phenotypic diversity. Several geographically widespread species occur as one of two common ecomorphs, with each ecomorph associated with characteristic ecological conditions. I explore the evolutionary history of diversification in the ecomorph species using molecular phylogenetics, and use ecological studies to evaluate the adaptive value of ecomorph traits. These studies suggest that widespread species of Hyalella experience a very limited adaptive landscape that tightly constrains major avenues of phenotypic diversification. Nonetheless, studies of sympatric species of the same ecomorph (cryptic species) show that significant niche differentiation is possible for species with very close phenotypic similarity. Thus the mechanisms by which the ecological landscape drives evolution of phenotype appear complex, but understanding such complexity will illuminate the role of ecological constraints in shaping biological diversity.

35 Coquimbo - Chile 14- 17 October 2007 SYMPOSIUM CONTRIBUTIONS

PROBING THE PACE OF MITOCHONDRIAL DNA SEQUENCE EVOLUTION IN AN AMPHIPOD GENUS: THE CASE OF Hyalella Witt, J.D.S. Department of Biology, University of Waterloo, Waterloo, ON, Canada N2L 3G1. E-mail: [email protected]

The amphipod genus Hyalella exhibits extraordinary levels of cryptic endemism in the southwestern United States. One possible explanation to explain this remarkable diversity is that rates of molecular evolution have been accelerated. In this study, I use a nested biogeographic approach employing both population and phylogenetic analyses to test the hypothesis of evolutionary rate acceleration in this genus. The results reveal that North American Hyalella lineages have had greater rates of molecular diversification than their South American counterparts. However, additional levels of rate heterogeneity are nested among North American lineages, and analyses focused in the U.S. southwest suggest that some lineages have had rates of mitochondrial sequence divergence that are 100 times greater than conventional molecular clock calibrations. These results indicate that rates of morphological and molecular evolution are decoupled in this genus, and that a fast molecular clock may be an important factor contributing to observed levels of diversity and endemism.

36 Coquimbo - Chile 14- 17 October 2007 ORAL CONTRIBUTIONS

THE VALUE OF DIFFERENT SEQUENTIAL DIET REGIMES ON Chthamalus montagui SOUTHWARD LARVAE Alyahya, Hamad A.H. Department of Biology, Teacher's College, King Saud University, Saudi Arabia; E-mail:[email protected]

Egg lamellae obtained from adults of the chthamalid barnacle Chthamalus montagui Southward were cultured through six naupliar stages to the cyprid stage in laboratory conditions. The nauplii were planktotrophic and, depending on diet, reached the cyprid stage 9 days after hatching in a culture series of 100 larvae in 200 ml glass beakers at 20 + 2 °C with normal day light. In this presentation these larvae were used to test the value of sequentially by mixed diet. Two species of algae were employed, the small flagellate Isochrysis galbana Parke and a relatively larger diatom Rhodomonas balthica Karsten. The rate of development, survival rate and size of reared nauplii, were measured and discussed. It can be concluded that a sequential diet changed after only 3 days from a specific small-celled to a different specific larger-celled algal diet is very successful for rapid production of healthy Chthamalus montagui cyprids.

PHYLOGENY AND TAXONOMY OF THE EASTERN PACIFIC/ATLANTIC SNAPPING SHRIMPS (DECAPODA: ALPHEIDAE: Alpheus) Anker, A. 1, Hurt, C. 2, Knowlton, N. 1, 3 1 Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute (STRI), Panama City, Panama; 2 University of Miami, Coral Gables, FL, USA; 3 National Museum of Natural History, Smithsonian Institution, Washington DC, USA. E-mail: [email protected]

The snapping shrimp genus Alpheus Fabricius is indisputably the largest and morphologically most diversified genus within the Decapoda, and is also one of the most difficult taxonomically, being notorious for numerous cryptic species and species complexes. Our ongoing research focuses on several species complexes of Alpheus present in the eastern Pacific (EP), western Atlantic (WA), and eastern Atlantic (EA). Many taxa are currently believed to have transisthmian (EP-WA), transisthmian- Atlantic (EP-WA-EA), or trans-Atlantic (EA-WA) distributions. However, molecular data, morphology, color patterns, and sometimes ecology do no support previous worker’s views of single, widespread, and often morphologically variable species. Five recently revised species complexes (A. cristulifrons Rathbun, A. cylindricus Kingsley, A. formosus Gibbes, A. barbatus Coutière, and A. hebes Kim & Abele) are presented to illustrate the evolutionary complexity of Alpheus, despite which some general patterns emerge. In all cases, transisthmian taxa represent geneticially distinct species, whereas trans-Atlantic taxa revealed either as two distinct species (e.g., A. cristulifrons – A. xanthocarpus, n. sp.) or a single amphi-Atlantic species (e.g., A. vanderbilti, A. agilis, n. sp.). Within a given complex, sympatric taxa are often not the most closely related species, i.e., they are not true siblings. Morphology and color generally corroborate molecular data. These results underline the inevitability to use a multidisciplinary approach to solve taxonomic problems within Alpheus, as well as many other decapod genera.

37 Coquimbo - Chile 14- 17 October 2007 ORAL CONTRIBUTIONS

DIFFERENCES IN THE METABOLISM OF TWO MORPHOSPECIES Munida gregaria AND M. subrugosa (ANOMURA: GALATHEIDAE) FROM BEAGLE CHANNEL Avalos, M.C.1, Heilmayer, O.2, Lovrich, G.A.1 1 Centro Austral de Investigaciones Científicas (CADIC-CONICET) – Houssay 200, Ushuaia, Tierra del Fuego, Argentina; 2 Alfred Wegener Institute for Polar and Marine Research, Bremerhaven, Germany. E-mail: [email protected]

Munida gregaria and M. subrugosa are closely related galatheid crabs of 5-7 cm total length that play a key role in the coastal sub-Antarctic ecosystem of South America. Both morphospecies are sympatric in the Beagle Channel. Although as adults both morphospecies are benthic, M. gregaria is known to perform migrations in the water column, whereas M. subrugosa is always on the sea-bottom. Due to the different activity patterns, we expect to find differences in the aerobic metabolism of both morphoespecies. Here we study differences in the metabolism of these two morphospecies at the austral summer temperature. Animals were caught in Beagle Channel (54º 50´S; 68º 17´W) by means of an epibenthic trawl. Twelve individuals per morphopecies were acclimated to 8ºC in individual flasks during four to eight weeks. Oxygen consumption of crabs was measured using an intermittent flow-through system. After obtaining values for standard metabolism (defined as oxygen consumption of unfed, unstressed animals) Specific Dynamic Action (SDA) was evaluated. A different set of crabs (n=4 per morphospecies and sex) was dissected after acclimation, and gills and muscles were frozen to determine activity of Citrate synthase (CS) and pyruvate kinase (PK) as well as Arrhenius breakpoint temperatures. The mean standard metabolic rate for -1 -1 -1 both morphospecies at 8°C was 61,65 ± 11,05 µl O2· l ·h ·gWM . No significant differences of standard metabolic rates were found in M. gregaria and M. subrugosa or between sexes (F=3.1; p=0.13 and F=1.4; p=0.67, respectively). Peaks of O2 consumption after feeding were different between both morphospecies, being significantly higher in M. subrugosa. Moreover, the pospandrial increase (SDA) was also higher in M. subrugosa than in M. gregaria. Our results show no differences in the standard metabolism between both morphospecies, however significant differences were found in SDA showing possible differences on physiological answers. "This study was financed and conducted in the frame of the EU-project CENSOR (Climate Variability and El Nino Southern Oscillation: Implications for Natural Resources and Management, contract 511071) and is CENSOR publication 0118"

THE EFFECT OF SPERM COMPETITION, MALE-MALE COMPETITION AND FEMALE MATE CHOICE ON THE SEX ALLOCATION OF A HERMAPHRODITIC SHRIMP Baeza, J.A.1, 2 1Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute, Apartado Postal 0843-03092, Balboa, Ancón, Republic of Panama.; 2Smithsonian Marine Station at Fort Pierce, 701 Seaway Drive, Fort Pierce, Florida 34949, USA. E-mail:[email protected]

Protandric simultaneous hermaphroditism, in which individuals invariably reproduce as males first and later as simultaneous hermaphrodites, is an enigmatic sexual system in invertebrates. The importance of sexual selection and its evolutionary consequences in these species with mixed sexual systems have not been fully addressed. Here, I report on the effect of three components of sexual selection (sperm competition, male-male competition, and female mate choice) on the sex allocation of the shrimp Lysmata wurdemanni. In this protandric simultaneous hermaphroditic shrimp, sperm competition is absent as hermaphrodites reproducing in the female role invariably mated only once with a single other male-role shrimp. Also, male mating ability was greater for large than small hermaphrodites and individuals reproducing in the female role preferred small over large shrimps as male mating partners. These findings suggest that the overall sex allocation should be female-biased in hermaphroditic shrimps. In the absence of sperm competition, each hermaphrodite in the population should produce only a small amount of sperm to fertilize eggs on the few occasions these become available for fertilization. Also, small hermaphrodites should invest more resources than proportionally into male reproduction than large hermaphrodites. Small hermaphrodites can expect a higher fitness return from the male function than large hermaphrodites. These two predictions were supported as hermaphrodites allocated, on average, 118 times more to the female than to the male gonad and the proportion of resources devoted to male function was smaller in large than in small hermaphrodites. These findings suggest that sexual selection is relevant in determining the relative amount of energy that hermaphroditic individuals invest to the sex functions throughout their lifetime. This study represents a formal test of sex allocation and sexual selection theories that help us improve our understanding of the evolution of sexual systems.

38 Coquimbo - Chile 14- 17 October 2007 ORAL CONTRIBUTIONS

MORPHOLOGICAL COMPARISON OF EARLY ZOEAL STAGES OF Lysmata spp. (DECAPODA: HIPPOLYTIDAE): A ZOOGEOGRAPHICAL APPROACH Bartilotti, C.1, Rhyne, A.2, Calado, R.3, dos Santos, A.1 1 Instituto Nacional de Investigação Agrária e Pescas, IPIMAR, Av. de Brasília, s/n. 1449-006 Lisboa, Portugal; 2 University of Florida; Indian River Research and Education Center; Fort Pierce Florida, 34945, USA; 3 CCMAR, Universidade do Algarve, Campus Gambelas, 8005-139 Faro, Portugal. E-mail: [email protected]

Caridean shrimps of genus Lysmata are present worldwide, in tropical and warm temperate waters. The annual trade of marine ornamental species is currently estimated in over one billion euros. Among the 500 species of invertebrate organisms (excluding corals) generally collected for trade, 15% are ornamental shrimp of the genus Lysmata. The inaccuracy of the few existing descriptions for the genus, and the lack of knowledge on the larval morphology and development of the majority of Lysmata species are among the bottlenecks impairing the commerce of these highly priced shrimp. The knowledge of morphological changes during larval development is known to be of vital importance for the understanding of phylogenetic relationships among related species. In this way, present work analyses the ontogenic evolution patterns of larval characters in the genus Lysmata. Morphological larval features of the first five zoeal stages of Lysmata ankeri, L. boggessi, L. debelius, L. galapagensis, L. grabhami, L. pederseni and L. wurdemanni, reared under laboratory conditions, are described and compared with those already recorded in previous works for L. amboinensis, L. anchisteus, L. seticaudata, L. vittata and L. wurdemanni. Morphological characters showed a very homogeneous development among Lysmata species. The main differences were observed in the number of carapace marginal denticles and in the appearance of pereiopods. Considering the larval sequence to the fifth zoeal stage, we suppose that the number of larval stages to metamorphosis is variable among species, with a minimum of 9 zoeal stages (e.g. L. seticaudata and L. ensirostris) and a maximum of 10 (e.g. L. debelius and L. ankeri). The results are discussed taking into account the non-taxonomic sociobiological separation of Lysmata species, and the very recent finding of a western Atlantic shrimp complex, both reinforcing the need of phylogenetic studies.

THE EUROPEAN GREEN CRAB Carcinus maenas POPULATION ON THE ATLANTIC COAST OF PATAGONIA: LATITUDINAL DISTRIBUTION, PATTERN OF ABUNDANCE, SIZE AND SEX STRUCTURE, HABITAT USE, INTERACTION WITH NATIVE SPECIES AND INFESTATION BY PARASITES Barón, P.J.1, Leal, G.A.1, Hidalgo, F.J.2, Dellatorre, F.G.1, Gavio, M.A.2, Pacotti, V.3 Raposo, P.3, Bazterrica, M.C.2, Ledesma, F.M.4, Bertness, M.5 1 Centro Nacional Patagónico (CONICET) Argentina; 2 National University of Mar de Plata; 3 National University of Patagonia; 4 National Technological University; 5 Brown University (USA). E-mail: [email protected]

Since the discovery and first report on the invasion of Carcinus maenas to the Eastern Patagonian coast by Hidalgo, Barón & Orensanz in 2005, a study was conducted to evaluate the characteristics of the non-native population and its possible interactions with the native community. To determine the physical and biological characteristics of the habitats occupied by C. maenas, live specimens were sampled monthly in Carolina Inlet (44°54’S - 65°36’W) by manual collection and trapping on the intertidal and SCUBA diving on the subtidal and dead specimens were taken on 3-m wide transects along the wrack from January 2004 to June 2007. Also, four surveys were completed along the Atlantic coast of Patagonia to establish the latitudinal distribution, patterns of abundance and habitat use of the species. Biological parameters (size, sex, maturity stage, moulting stage, mating condition and presence of parasites) were registered in the lab and preliminary predation experiments were performed in aquaria. Data obtained shows that C. maenas is distributed from Camarones bay (44°48’S) to Puerto Deseado estuary (47°46’S), from the upper intertidal to the shallow subtidal (up to 2 m deep). Highest abundance (up to 44 crabs trap-1 h-1 and 0.9 individuals m-1 in transects along the wrack) occur in the southern coast of San Jorge Gulf. The crab inhabits protected (e.g. Carolina inlet) to very exposed (e.g. Del Marquez Point and Cape Blanco) segments of the coast, being exclusively associated to structured hard bottoms. Shelters include rock crevices and the undersides of stones and Corallina mats growing in tidal pools. Two types of internal parasite were found in the species. Size structure shows differences between sampling areas, a wider size range being represented in samples from the South of San Jorge Gulf. C. maenas preys on a variety of native gastropods, bivalves, polychaetes and crabs. Financial support: Projects PNUD ARG 02-018 (SP AB-08), Mellon Foundation, National Council of Scientific and Technological Research and UTN research and service grant.

39 Coquimbo - Chile 14- 17 October 2007 ORAL CONTRIBUTIONS

ENVIRONMENTAL HETEROGENEITY AND THE MAINTENANCE OF CRYPTIC GENETIC DIVERSITY IN THE MARINE ISOPOD SPECIES, Idotea balthica Bell, T., Wares, J.P. Department of Genetics, C328 Life Sciences, Athens GA 3060. E-mail: [email protected]

The maintenance of genetic diversity is a central theme in evolutionary biology. Diversity can be maintained within and between lineages either by physical barriers to gene flow, by local differences in natural selective forces due to environmental heterogeneity, or a combination of the two. An ideal organism to study the combined effects of gene flow and natural selection on genetic diversity patterns is the marine isopod, Idotea balthica. Despite having direct developing offspring I. balthica is widely distributed throughout the North Atlantic. This expansive range exposes this species to a heterogeneous array of environmental factors. Thus, I. bathica can potentially experience a restricted gene flow due to its lack of non- planktonic larvae and a variety of natural selective forces which may be opposing across the range of the species. A comparison of the mitochondrial cytochrome oxidase I (mtCOI) gene among individuals along the east coast of the U. S. revealed three distinct mitochondrial genotypes ((1)Northern: NJ to ME; (2)Southern: VA to MA, and (3) Cape Charles VA) all of which are morphologically identical but are at least 2.5 million years divergent from each other. Additional genetic data from microsatellite markers along with comparisons among genotypes of feeding preferences and temperature tolerance are currently being conducted in hopes of aiding in understanding the role of natural selection and gene flow in the maintenance of genetic diversity in this species.

SHELL AND FOOD ACQUISITION BEHAVIORS: EVIDENCE FOR CONTEXTUAL DECISION HIERARCHIES IN HERMIT CRABS Billock, W.L., Dunbar, S.G. Department of Earth and Biological Sciences, Loma Linda University, Loma Linda, California, USA 92350. E-mail: [email protected]

Shell and food acquisition behaviors of the hermit crab, Pagurus samuelis, were examined in response to cues of shell and food availability. In a preliminary experiment, motivation for acquisition behavior was tested by offering food and shells concurrently. We found that 89.5% of starved hermit crabs ignored tactile cues of shell availability, while 100% of shell-less hermit crabs ignored chemical cues of food availability, demonstrating that current motivation can be the trigger that initiates specific behaviors. In the two experiments that followed, tactile, visual, and chemical cues were presented in a factorial manner and time was measured between initial contact and either inhabitation of a shell or initiation of feeding. We considered the time difference between initial contact and subsequent behavior to be a measure of hermit crab ‘decision time’. In the shell acquisition task, treatments that included tactile cues (Tactile, VT, CT, and VCT) elicited significantly shorter decision times than treatments without tactile cues (Control, Visual, Chemical, and VC). In contrast to the findings of the shell acquisition task, we found that in the food acquisition task, treatments that included chemical cues (Chemical, VC, CT, and VCT) elicited significantly shorter decision times than those without chemical cues (Control, Visual, Tactile, and VT). Even though primary cues elicited the shortest decision time in each of these tasks, in the absence of the primary cue, secondary cues may still be used to make appropriate decisions, albeit with significantly longer decision times. Therefore we propose that hermit crabs sort environmental information in ‘Contextual Decision Hierarchies’ in order to make accurate and efficient behavioral choices.

40 Coquimbo - Chile 14- 17 October 2007 ORAL CONTRIBUTIONS

REDISCOVERY OF Malacolepas (CIRRIPEDIA, MALACOLEPADIDAE), A BARNACLE FOUND INSIDE OF THE SHELLS OF LIVING BIVALVES IN THE INDO-PACIFIC OCEAN, WITH NOTES ON HABITAT MODIFICATIONS, DEVELOPMENT, ANATOMY, AND PHYLOGENETIC AFFINITIES Boyko, C.B.1, Crowley, L.1 Høeg, J.T.2 1 Division of Invertebrate Zoology, American Museum of Natural History, Central Park West @ 79th St., New York, NY, USA; 2 Department of Cell Biology and Comparative Zoology. Biological Institute, University of Copenhagen, Universitetsparken 15, DK-2100 Copenhagen, Denmark. E-mail: [email protected]

Four specimens of stalked barnacles (Cirripedia) were found inside the shells of living shallow-water bivalves (Glycymerididae: Melaxinaea & Glycymeris) collected from Western Australia and New Caledonia. They are identifiable as members of the genus Malacolepas, originally described from Japan by Hiro, 1933, and not reported subsequently. These non- calcified barnacles are entirely contained within the shell of the living bivalve and extend from the anchor point on the interior of the shell through a near circular perforation of the mantle tissue into the interior of the bivalve, where maximum water flow would be found. One dissected specimen was found with a large brood of nauplius larvae. Unless the nauplii moult in the mantle cavity to cyprids, this means that the species has a potential for long distance dispersal. Additional modifications of the bivalve tissue, reproductive structures, and general anatomy are illustrated and discussed in terms of this interesting choice of habitats. Uncalcified forms like Malacolepas are of special interest because cirripeds as a whole must originally have lacked shell plates and are often argued to have also been epibiotic. Preliminary data on the phylogenetic placement of Malacolepas within the stalked barnacles, based on morphology and molecular data, is also given.

CRYPTIC DIVERSITY WITHIN THE GENUS Alpheus FROM THE GULF OF MEXICO AND ADJACENT WATERS (DECAPODA: CARIDEA: ALPHEIDAE) Bracken, H.D., Robles, R., Felder, D.L. Department of Biology, University of Louisiana, Lafayette. PO Box 42451, Lafayette, LA 70504-2451. E-mail: [email protected]

The genus Alpheus is commonly divided among 7 morphological grades based largely on major cheliped, rostral and orbital hood morphology. Current subdivision of the genus may be of limited phylogenetic significance, since few studies have examined underlying genetic relationships among these shrimps. Furthermore, the group’s true biodiversity is masked by the high percentage of cryptic species present within the genus. Recent molecular evidence has identified dozens of cryptic alpheids throughout the world’s oceans and these findings have prompted workers to reevaluate both minor morphological variations and genetic data. We have used molecular techniques to unveil phylogenetic relationships and cryptic diversity within the genus Alpheus. Using both mitochondrial and nuclear genes, several species complexes have been identified within the Gulf of Mexico, which may represent a center for alpheid speciation. When the Gulf of Mexico populations were compared to putative conspecifics from adjacent areas, additional cryptic species were recognized. The Alpheus floridanus (Kingsley, 1878) species complex exemplifies such diversification in the region. Literature has long suggested A. floridanus to have a wide distribution, even though a number of workers have noted morphological variations that prompt questioning of this concept. Phylogenetic analysis of approximately 1600-bp partial sequences of the 16S, 12S, and COI mitochondrial genes identify 5 putative species throughout the eastern Pacific, Western Atlantic and Gulf of Mexico. Morphological characters including the curvature and length of the scaphocerite, number of mandibular teeth, robustness of the major chela, and color pattern delimit these species. Genetic and taxonomic differences found within the A. floridanus complex confirm proposals of previous workers and demonstrates the potential for cryptic diversity within the genus.

41 Coquimbo - Chile 14- 17 October 2007 ORAL CONTRIBUTIONS

POSTLARVAL SETTLEMENT OF THE SPINY LOBSTER Panulirus argus ALONG THE MEXICAN CARIBBEAN COAST: WHAT A 17 YEAR-LONG TIME SERIES CAN TELL Briones-Fourzán, P.1, Candela, J.2, Lozano-Álvarez, E. 1 1 Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Instituto de Ciencias del Mar y Limnología, Unidad Académica Puerto Morelos. Prol. Av. Niños Héroes s/n, Puerto Morelos, Q. R., 77580 México; 2 Centro de Investigación Científica y Educación Superior de Ensenada, Departamento de Oceanografía Física. Km 107 carretera Tijuana-Ensenada, Ensenada, B.C., 22860 Mexico. E- mail: [email protected]

Spiny lobsters (Palinuridae) have some of the longest larval durations among decapods, which in the Caribbean spiny lobster (Panulirus argus) is 5–9 months. This species breeds year-round but shows a main spawning peak during the spring. The larvae are oceanic, but the postlarvae swim back to the coast to settle in shallow vegetated habitats. Postlarval settlement is an important process in the population dynamics of spiny lobsters. We analyzed and compared 17 years of monthly settlement indices of postlarvae obtained with artificial seaweed collectors at two locations on the Mexican Caribbean coast. Along this coast, the shelf is very narrow and the local circulation is driven by waves overtopping subtidal coral reef crests. Settlement occurred year-round, but both locations showed annual rhythmicity, average seasonal maxima during the autumn, and similar interannual variation, reflecting the influence of large-scale oceanographic processes on settlement. However, one location consistently had higher settlement levels, reflecting the additional influence of local dynamics. Significant correlations between settlement indices and a number of interrelated physical factors suggest that sea level variation is the main factor influencing settlement variation. There was further association between extreme settlement pulses and extreme weather events (tropical storms and hurricanes) during the late summer-autumn. The autumn settlement peak suggests that large hurricane waves enhance the onshore transport of postlarvae that originated during the spring spawning peak. The possible source regions of larvae that settle along this coast during the periods of March-April and September-October was investigated by stochastic simulations integrating trajectories backward in time, using six years of stable outputs from a well established numerical model for the entire Atlantic Ocean. Trajectories from the model suggest that the persistence of the local population depends to a greater extent on larval supply from many potential source regions across the Caribbean than on self-recruitment.

ABUNDANCE & DISTRIBUTION OF AMERICAN LOBSTER Homarus americanus LARVAE AND EARLY BENTHIC JUVENILES IN COASTAL NEWFOUNDLAND: PASSIVE AND ACTIVE PROCESSES Burdett-Coutts, V., Snelgrove, P. Memorial University, Newfoundland, Canada. E-mail: [email protected]

The resilience of American lobster (Homarus americanus) to high exploitation rates is largely unknown but is likely due to components of their life cycle characteristics. Determining the variables governing recruitment is important for management, for allowing the continued sustainability of the fishery, as well as for determining effective design of Marine Protected Areas. Bonne Bay is a sub-arctic fjord located within Gros Morne National Park on the west coast of Newfoundland, Canada, which provides a relatively enclosed and thus simple system to study the early life history of this species. A comprehensive series of studies were conducted to determine the distribution and abundance of American lobster in Bonne Bay, including spatial variability of ovigerous females, planktonic larvae, and recently settled juveniles. Initially, effective broodstock was determined by accompanying fishers to record the size and distribution of ovigerous females. 30 females were collected and stripped of their eggs to obtain a fecundity estimate. I further investigated the distribution and abundance of larvae by conducting nueston tows at ten sites within the Bay at 10 day intervals from early June until mid-September. This component of the research will be complemented by a series of behavioural experiments to determine whether there is a vertical migration response to light intensity, salinity, predators, and prey. The distribution of recently settled stage IV lobsters provides clue to settlement patterns because of their preference for sheltered sites. Settlement trays coupled with suction sampling were conducted at 6 of the nueston sites to determine the abundance and distribution of the early life stages of American lobster.

42 Coquimbo - Chile 14- 17 October 2007 ORAL CONTRIBUTIONS

MOLECULAR PHYLOGENY OF PLANKTONIC OSTRACODA: FIRST INSIGHTS INTO THE VALIDITY OF THE CURRENT SYSTEMATICS AND EVOLUTION OF THE FAMILY HALOCYPRIDIDAE Castillo, R. F.1, De Vargas, C.2, Kochzius, M.3, Angel, M.4 1 University of Bremen, ISATEC Program; 2 Evolution du Plancton et Paleoceans, Station Biologique de Roscoff, France; 3 Center for Environmental Research and Technology (UFT), University of Bremen, Germany; 4 National Oceanography Centre, Southampton, England. E-mail: [email protected]

Oceanic planktonic ostracods (Myodocopa: Halocyprididae) are a group of holoplanktonic crustaceans that are amongst the most important groups of the macrozooplankton in terms of their abundance, diversity and ubiquity after copepods and in places euphausiids. However, because of their uncalcified carapace, they have left no fossil record, so their origin and evolution remain obscure. Moreover, the systematics of the most speciose subfamily of the group (Conchoecinae, ~ 148 described spp) are still under discussion and the classification of some species within the genera can not be considered stable. We present the results of an initial phylogenetic study for the family Halocyprididae. Using partial sequences of 18S rDNA, we reconstruct phylogenetic trees for 24 species of the family, with emphasis on the subfamily Conchoecinae (20 species, 14 genera). Neighbor Joining, Maximum Parsimony and Maximum Likelihood analyses result in a topology indicating the presence of at least two non monophyletic genera: Conchoecia and Mollicia. These results highlight the need for further combined and morphological taxonomic analyses to resolve better the natural classification of the groups. Our trees also imply there are cryptic species in the widely distributed morphological species Discoconchoecia elegans: 4 specimens collected from different regions of the world namely off Alaska, in the Southern Ocean, and in the Caribbean Sea are separated by genetic distances that are comparable to those generally observed between species or even genera. The individuals representing putative sibling species can be distinguished on the basis of their carapace sizes but not by any other morphological differences yet discovered or described in the literature. The division of planktonic Halocyprididae into its 4 subfamilies is supported by our data. Interestingly, the subfamily Archiconchoecinae, at the base of the tree has extremely divergent sequences in comparison to those of other halocyprids.

MORPHOLOGICAL DIFFERENTIATION OF MEGALOPAE IN THE FAMILIES PANOPEIDAE, PORTUNIDAE AND GRAPSIDAE, FROM A LAGOON SYSTEM INLET IN THE SOUTHWESTERN GULF OF MEXICO Cházaro-Olvera, S., Winfield, I. Laboratorio de Ecología de Crustáceos, Facultad de Estudios Superiores Iztacala, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Apartado Postal 314, Tlalnepantla, Estado de México 54090, Mexico. E-mail: [email protected]

Some morphological differences among the megalopae of the families Panopeidae, Portunidae and Grapsidae have been determined. The megalopa stage was obtained from the artificial inlet of the Camaronera Lagoon, Veracruz, Mexico. Morphological analysis consisted of: dissection of the megalopae, classification and counting of setae and aesthetascs, and measurements of carapace width and carapace length. A total of 96 172 megalopae from the infraorder Brachyura were captured, 577 belonging to the family Panopeidae, 51 928 to the family Grapsidae and 43 667 to the family Portunidae. Ten species of these families were identified: Panopeusherbstii, P. lacustris, Dyspanopeus texanus, Neopanope packardii, Eurypanopeus depressus, Hexapanopeus angustifrons, Callinectes sapidus, C. similis, C rathbunae and Pachygrapsus gracilis. The differences between families were: Portunidae, carapace elongated; with rostrum spine between the ocular peduncles; Grapsidae, carapace with proportions of length and width similar more or less quadrate and ending on the rostrum in ventral position; Panopeidae carapace without ridges, generally with two lateral projections towards anterior portion of carapace, between the ocular peduncles. Morphological differences include: E. depressus lacks anterolateral projections and was smallest in size; D. texanus has two subterminal setae and four terminal setae on the endopod of the antennula; N. packardii has six strong plumose setae on the second segment of the uropod; H. angustifrons has one subterminal seta and two terminal setae on the endopod of the anténula. The differences principal between Callinectes was the number of aesthetascs of the epipodite of the third maxilliped, C. sapidus with 14, C. similis 21 and C. rathbunae 17 marginal plumose setae. Pachygrapsus gracilis present the largest carapace size, while the smallest size was registered for E. depressus. A key for the identification of these megalopae is presented.

43 Coquimbo - Chile 14- 17 October 2007 ORAL CONTRIBUTIONS

EXAGGERATION OF A SEXUALLY SELECTED SIGNAL – NOT BY FEMALE CHOICE Christy, J.H., Ribeiro, P. Apartado 0843-03092, Balboa, Ancón, República de Panamá. E-mail: [email protected]

Sexual and natural selection on male courtship signals usually act in opposition: female preferences favor ever larger, more elaborate male signals while natural selection checks signal exaggeration. Here we describe an apparent case of signal elaboration due to natural and intra-sexual selection, not a directional female preference. The signals are sand structures called hoods that courting male fiddler crabs Uca terpsichores sometimes build at the openings of their burrows. Relative to male size hoods are the largest courtship structures built by male fiddler crabs. Males attract females to their burrows for mating, females prefer to approach males with hoods, hoods visually guide females' movements to males' burrows and the attractiveness of males with hoods increases with perceived predation risk. Hence, hood building is sexual selected by a female preference. Males also use their own hoods to find their burrows when unable to do so using their non-visual path map. To determine whether hood size affects hood attractiveness to females and male burrow finding ability, we placed models of ½, ¾, full, and super-sized hoods on males' burrows. We recorded the relative frequency that females approached males with the different models. We introduced errors in males' path maps by displacing males on sliding platforms and recorded the time it took the males to relocate their burrows with the different model hoods. The female preference curve rose rapidly from males with no or ½ size model hoods to males with ¾ or average size hoods, after which there was no further increase in attractiveness. In contrast the larger the hood model the more quickly and reliably males were able to relocate their burrows and safety. Hence, directional natural and intra-sexual selection for burrow holding ability may explain why males build large hoods that are not more attractive to females.

COMPARING AND CONTRASTING NUCLEAR AND MITOCHONDRIAL DNA SEQUENCE DATA AMONG FAIRYSHRIMPS (ANOSTRACA: Streptocephalus) Daniels, S. Department of Botany and Zoology, University of Stellenbosch, Private bag X1, Matieland 7602, South Africa. E-mail: [email protected]

Recent molecular phylogenetic studies derived from mtDNA revealed distinct biogeographic patterning among species within this genus. However these fairy shrimps are renowned for widespread hybridization suggesting that the mtDNA topology reflect a gene tree and not a species tree. In the present study we investigate the utility of two nuclear DNA loci (18S small ribosomal unit and histone 3 gene regions). Phylogenetic results obtained from the combined analyses of the nDNA data sets are incongruent with the pattern obtained from the mtDNA topology. The nDNA data set reflects a different evolutionary history and biogeography for the genus. The reasons for these results are discussed.

44 Coquimbo - Chile 14- 17 October 2007 ORAL CONTRIBUTIONS

TEMPERATURE INDUCED VARIATION IN OXYGEN CONSUMPTION AND GROWTH OF JUVENILE AND ADULT STAGES OF THE NORTHERN SHRIMP, Pandalus borealis Daoud, D.1,2 , Chabot, D.2, Audet, A.1, Lambert, Y.2 1 Institut des Sciences de la Mer de Rimouski, Université du Québec à Rimouski, Rimouski, QC; 2 Fisheries and Oceans Canada, Maurice-Lamontagne Institut, Mont-Joli, QC. E-mail: [email protected]

The impact of temperature on oxygen consumption (MO2), molt increment (MI) and intermolt period (IP) was measured in the laboratory for juvenile and adult of northern shrimp at 2, 5 and 8oC, the temperature range where this species is generally found in the Northwest Atlantic. Long-term measurement periods in respirometers allowed the calculation of standard metabolic rate of individuals (SMRind). SMRind was linearly related to body mass and the mass exponent for the species was (0.57 log (Ww) + 0.04 T – 1.21) 0.56. The effects of wet body mass (Ww) and temperature (T) on SMRind were described by: SMRind = 10 , -1 o with SMRind expressed in mg O2 h , Ww in g and T in C. This model explained 92% of the variability in SMRind. Mass- specific MO2 adjusted for a 5 g shrimp was not influenced by developmental stage indicating that the regression model describing SMRind, mass and temperature was valid regardless of variations in size at maturity and sex transition. Significant variations in the growth of northern shrimp were associated with temperature and shrimp size. The IP (days) increased significantly with shrimp size and was inversely related to temperature. Size (cephalothorax length in mm) and temperature (°C) effects were described by: IP = 10(0.67 log (CL) - 0.06 T – 1.34). Total size increment over a period a 278 to 324 days was greater for juveniles (57-143%) than for males (4-6%) and females (-0.2-1.5%). MI was significantly related to body mass while temperature had no significant effect within each developmental stage. Overall, juveniles were much more sensitive to temperature variations than adults.

INTERANNUAL VARIATION IN SIZE AND GROWTH OF THE PATAGONIAN RED SHRIMP Pleoticus muelleri De la Garza, J., Fischbach, C., Moriondo, P.I. Instituto Nacional de Investigación y Desarrollo Pesquero, Paseo Victoria Ocampo N°1, Mar del Plata, Argentina. E-mail: [email protected]

One of the most important parameters to study in population dynamics summated to fisheries pressure are growth studies. Particularly, the growth studies of the Patagonian red shrimp (Pleoticus muelleri) have relevant importance because this decapod supports one of the most important fisheries in Argentina. The interannual variation in size and growth of the Patagonian red shrimp was analyzed using landings from commercial boats, samplings of commercial classification made on board by fishermen and samplings made in the scientist cruises carried by the red shrimp project (INIDEP) from 1992 and 2003. The annual growth parameters obtained from this database were in the normal range for this specie. Interannual variations in growth parameters were found and they could be associated to different reasons (changes in the environmental, density dependent factors and fishing effort). The mayor effect is due to changes in the environment (when the marine environment is favorable, the red shrimp tends to growth faster). Also it was found a relationship between the fishing effort and the size of the shrimp landed. Another font for the variability found could be the lack of small size shrimp in the commercial landings due to the type of fishing nets used by the commercial fleet and the selection made on board during the shrimp capture process. So the use of the commercial landings as the only source of data to evaluate the shrimp population dynamic could turn into misleading results.

45 Coquimbo - Chile 14- 17 October 2007 ORAL CONTRIBUTIONS

UVR TOLERANCE IN CRUSTACEAN ZOOPLANKTON SPECIES OF TINQUILCO LAKE (38° S ARAUCANIA REGION, CHILE): EXPERIMENTAL AND FIELD OBSERVATIONS De los Rios, P.1,2, Hauenstein, E.1, Acevedo, P.2, Jaque, X.1 1 Universidad Católica de Temuco, Facultad de Recursos Naturales, Escuela de Ciencias Ambentales, Casilla 15-D, Temuco, Chile; 2 Universidad de la Frontera, Facultad de Ingeniería y Administración, Departamento de Ciencias Físicas, Casilla 15-D, Temuco, Chile. E-mail: [email protected]

The Tinquilco lake is a water body located within a mountain zone, that belong to the Huerquehue Nacional Park, a protected area of Chilean government. This park, is characterized by the presence of native forest of Nothofagus spp., and Araucaria araucaria and numerous oligotrophic lakes, that would be the primitive status of southern Chilean lakes, before the human intervention in their basins. On this basis, and considering the increase of ultraviolet radiation (UVR) on Southern South America, the aim of this study is study the tolerance to UVR of zooplankton assemblages considering field observations and with meso-cosmos experiment in situ. The experiment used Daphnia pulex (De Gueer, 1877), Ceriodaphnia dubia (Richard, 1895) and Boeckella gracilis (Daday, 1902), as the main species within the zooplankton community, that were exposed to natural UVR by five hours, with counting of dead individuals at the third and fifth hour. Only C. dubia had significant differences between the two sampled periods (p < 0,05). Whereas for the comparison for the three species for both period, it was significant differences, because B. gracilis has a low mortality in comparison to D. pulex and C. dubia. Some ecological and limnological topics were discussed. Acknowledgements: Projects DGI-UCT –2005-4-11 and DIUFRO N°120614

TIDE AND WIND CONTROL OF CRAB LARVAE SUPPLY TO AN ESTUARINE SYSTEM: THE CASE OF RIA DE AVEIRO, PORTUGAL Domingues, C., Waap, S., Queiroga, H. CESAM & Department of Biology, University of Aveiro, 3810-193 Aveiro, Portugal. E-mail: [email protected]

In the present study we investigated the temporal pattern of invertebrate larval supply to an estuary on the Portuguese north- west coast. The common shore crab, Carcinus maenas was used as a biological model to address the relations between the physical processes, tide and wind driven circulation, that force the transport of larvae back to the adult habitats. Data on megalopae larvae supply and on physical variables were obtained daily from March to June 2006. This data were subjected to time series analysis and multiple regression techniques in order to identify periodicity in the variables as well as time lags between larval supply and physical variables. Supply of megalopae to Ria de Aveiro followed a fortnightly cycle with maximum larval supply at the time of maximum tidal amplitude. Northwesterly winds, that favour upwelling, dominated during the study period. Maximum positive and significant correlation values of SSL with wind stress were observed at time lags of 0 and –1 day indicating a quick response of the coastal ocean to changes in the intensity of the alongshore wind. Supply was enhanced by southerly winds or by relaxation of upwelling-favourable winds, with a delay of -1 day following the response of the coastal ocean to the transport mechanisms.

46 Coquimbo - Chile 14- 17 October 2007 ORAL CONTRIBUTIONS

THE THALASSINIDEA OF PANGLAO ISLAND, PHILIPPINES: A COMPARISON OF HABITATS AND COLLECTING METHODS Dworschak, P.C. Naturhistorisches Museum, Burgring 7, A 1010 Wien, Austria. E-mail: [email protected]

During the Panglao 2004 Marine Biodiversity Project, numerous molluscs and decapod crustaceans were collected with several methods in various marine habitats around Panglao Island, Bohol, Philippines. Among the Decapoda, the Thalassinidea comprised a total of 355 specimens from 53 species. Comparison of collecting methods showed that brushing of dead corals and coral rubble yielded the most species (24%, mainly from the family Axiidae) followed by the use of nets (15%), air lift sampling and application of the yabby pump sublittorally (14% each). The greatest number of specimens (36% of the total) was collected with the yabby pump in the intertidal and comprised 7 species of Callianassidae and one Callianideidae. Most species (62%) were captured exclusively with one particular method, 32% with two methods and only 4 and 2% with 3 or 5 methods respectively. Complementary methods were air lift sampling with brushing and dredging with nets. As 39% of the species were represented by a single specimen, rare species make up a considerable proportion of the thalassinidean fauna. It is concluded that the high diversity of thalassinideans in the tropics is largely due to species associated with corals and coral rubble.

MULTI-DATA PHYLOGENY OF THE CARIDEAN GENUS Lysmata Fiedler, G.C.1, Rhyne, A.L.2, Schizas, N.3

1 University of Marland University College Asia, Bldg 445, Yokota Air Base Fussa, Fussa-shi, Tokyo Japan. 2 University of Florida, Institute of Food and Agriculture Sciences, Indian River Research and Education Center, Fort Pierce, Florida 34945 USA. 3 Department of Marine Sciences, University of Puerto Rico, Mayagüez, Isla Magueyes Laboratories, Puerto Rico 00667, USA. E-mail: [email protected]

Recent revisions in the caridean shrimp genus Lysmata have increased the number of species to over 30, an expansion of 33% over the last 10 years. Because of the taxonomic flux of the genus, the phylogenetic relationships between species have not been determined. There is an even greater need to resolve the phylogeny of this group in light of the presence of a rare reproductive mode in decapods, protandric simultaneous hermaphroditism (PSH), and their commercial importance in the marine reef aquarium industry. The presented work is the first phylogenetic reconstruction of Lysmata by analyzing a multi- character data set containing mitochondrial and nuclear DNA sequences, morphology of adult and larvae. Phylogenetic analysis of mitochondrial and nuclear genes support the reestablishment of Lysmata and Hippolysmata division, a taxonomic proposal presently refuted. However, a few Lysmata species fall outside the traditional Lysmata and Hippolysmata, raising questions about the taxonomic boundaries of these divisions. Both larval development patterns and adult morphological patterns further support these divisions. The data also support the monophyly of the "pair-living cleaning shrimps" embedded within the "ex" Hippolysmata, suggesting that advanced cleaning behavior is a derived trait. There seems to be no association of PSH and social systems. PSH most likely arose outside Lysmata from a group-living protandric ancestor. Additions of genes and denser species sampling will improve the phylogenetic reconstruction of Lysmata and further elucidate the evolution of PSH.

47 Coquimbo - Chile 14- 17 October 2007 ORAL CONTRIBUTIONS

A MODEL FOR DETERMINING BIOZOOGEOGRAPHIC PROVINCES IN THE EAST PACIFIC BASED ON LATITUDINAL DISTRIBUTION OF MARINE ISOPODS Espinosa Pérez, M.C.1,2, Hendrickx, M.E.2 1 Postgraduate Program, ICML, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México; 2 Unidad Académica Mazatlán, ICML, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, P.O. Box 811, Mazatlán, Sinaloa, México. E-mail: [email protected]

Information related to the geographic distribution of marine and brackish water isopods of the East Pacific was obtained from material collected along the Pacific coast of Mexico and from literature, and included in a data base. Data (2095 records for 420 species) related to the latitudinal distribution interval of each species were used to run series of analyzes aimed at recognizing distributional breaks that would support division of the region into provinces. Study was based on computing number of distribution limits per latitudinal range (10’ to 5o of latitude), and beta diversity vs. latitude. Best result using number of distribution limits was obtained with a random latitudinal interval of 2.6o. Significant beta diversity values were selected using a 75% limit. From a general viewpoint, provinces limits obtained from this study coincide with previously published works. Magdalena Bay is confirmed as a limit between the Californian warm-temperate Province and an extended Cortés Province, which southernmost limit is not well defined (between 19 and 23oN). The Cortés Province shows two distinct faunistic areas, but no attempt is made at splitting the Gulf in two provinces. The Panamic Province extends from Tehuantepec to the Gulf of Guayaquil and the southern Peru-Chile Province to 32oS. A Chilean transition province is located between 32oS and 42oS (Chiloé). Transition zones are recognised at 19 and 23oN, 3o-9oN and 19o-21oS.

ANALYSIS OF THE ESCAPE RESPONSES OF THE PINK SHRIMP FARFANTEPENAEUS DUORARUM TO ARTIFICIAL AND NATURAL (Callinectes danae) stimuli.

Hernández-Díaz, Y.Q., Mascaró, M., Simões, N., Muñoz. L., Chiappa-Carrara, X., Aldana, J., Pérez, R.

Unidad Multidisciplinaria de Docencia e Investigación, Facultad de Ciencias UNAM. Puerto de Abrigo s/n, Sisal-Hunucma C.P. 97355, Yucatán México. E-mail: [email protected]

Research efforts to investigate escape trajectories of prey when attacked by their natural predators have rendered in a better understanding of factors determining escape success and prey survival. In the present study, linear (minimum reaction distance, RD; escape distance, ED; duration, ET; and velocity, EV) and circular (escape angle, EA) components of the first tail flip displayed by Farfantepenaeus duorarum under contrasting laboratory conditions, were compared. We defined the first tail flip as the first rotational motion displayed by shrimp during the escape response even if, beyond this stage, prey continued to escape along a different path. Shrimp were either faced with natural (Callinectes ornatus) or artificial stimuli, or experimentally impeded from vision. Results showed that RD in F. duorarum was significantly greater when attacked by C. ornatus than when threatened by artificial stimuli (t = 2.74; p < 0.05), but ED, ET and EV were similar amongst both groups (t: 0.011 - 0.59; p > 0.05). The RD in shrimp with and without vision was similar (F = 0.79; p > 0.05), whilst shrimp without vision presented ED and EV significantly smaller than those receiving visual stimuli from the predator (F = 5.43, p < 0.05; F = 13.84; p < 0.05, respectively). Time to complete the first tail flip in shrimp without vision was significantly greater than in shrimp with vision (F = 5.18; p < 0.05). The mean angle of escape amongst shrimp with and without vision was, however, statistically the same (Watson and Williams, W = 0.025; p > 0.05). Visual stimuli are important for predator detection in F. durorarum, and lineal components of the escape response play a significant role in predator avoidance. As in other species, response to attack stimuli result in unpredictable directions of escape along the longitudinal axis of shrimp (ipsilateral or contralateral).

48 Coquimbo - Chile 14- 17 October 2007 ORAL CONTRIBUTIONS

MARK-RECAPTURE POPULATION SIZE ESTIMATES OF THE MADISON CAVE ISOPOD, Antrolana lira Fong, D.W. Department of Biology, American University, Washington, D.C. 20016. E-mail: [email protected]

I conducted a series of single mark, single recapture estimates of population size (N) of Antrolana lira at Madison Cave and nearby Stegers Fissure in Virginia, USA, in 1995, 1997, 2004 and 2006. Initial estimates in 1995 and 1997 based on a 24 hour sampling interval between mark and recapture obtained low recapture rates (2.1% - 5.2%), and yielded unreliable high N of 103 and 104 with large SE and thus wide 95% CI. Subsequent estimates based on a two week sampling interval obtained high recapture rates (6.5% - 29.4%) and yielded consistent N with small SE and narrower 95% CI. N in Madison Cave ranged from 0.36 to 1.02 x 103, while N in Stegers Fissure was consistently higher, and ranged from 2.24 to 3.42 x 103. Estimates from both locations showed little fluctuation from 1997 to 2006. Among a combined total of 2250 individuals marked and 2390 individuals recaptured, only two individuals marked in Stegere Fissure were recaptured in Madison Cave, and no movement of marked individuals in the opposite direction was detected. The A. lira populations at the two locations thus exhibit a classic source-sink relationship. Steger’s Fissure serves as the source because it is open to direct input of organic matter and thus can sustain a larger population size than can Madison Cave with no direct access to organic matter input. The situation at Steger’s Fissure and Madison Cave is likely unique among all 16 known locations where A. lira is found.

THE KERGUELENICA PROBLEM: HOW MANY CUMACEAN FAMILIES ARE THERE? Gerken, S.1, Watling, L.2 1 Department of Biological Sciences, University of Alaska Anchorage, 3211 Providence Dr. Anchorage, Alaska, USA; 2 Department of Zoology, University of Hawaii at Manoa, 2538 McCarthy Mall, Edmondson Hall 152, Honolulu, Hawaii, USA. E-mail: [email protected]

The order Cumacea is clearly monophyletic, easily recognized by the fusion of at least three pereonites with the head, a bulbous carapace covering the head and fused pereonites, a slender abdomen, and a single pair of uropods, with an almost complete loss of pleopods in the female. Currently 8 family level groups are recognized, but historically there have been from 4-26 families recognized (Day 1975, 1978A, 1978 B, 1980, Sars 1878, 1900, Stebbing 1913). The current family definitions are based on combinations of characters found in both adult male and female individuals, which makes it challenging to correctly place a single individual. Families are defined primarily on the basis of external morphology, using characters such as presence of telson or pleotelson, telson setation, pereopod exopod presence, number of pleopods in the male, carapace shape, and uropod form. The problem at present is that the family definitions have been expanded to accommodate new taxa to the point where the family definitions overlap to such an extent that there are species that cannot be placed in a family. The genus Kerguelenica was recognized as a problem when it was described on the basis of female specimens (Ledoyer 1977). The description of an additional species, Kerguelenica ledoyeri sp. nov., including the first adult male of the genus, was expected to resolve the family placement of Kerguelenica, but does not. It is suggested that the current family architecture of the Cumacea is untenable, and a new arrangement is proposed.

49 Coquimbo - Chile 14- 17 October 2007 ORAL CONTRIBUTIONS

PHYLOGEOGRAPHY OF LEPTOSTRACA: HISTORICAL BOUNDARIES IN THE GULF OF CALIFORNIA AND ADJACENT SHORES Haney, T.A., Jacobs, D.K. Sage Hill School, 20402 Newport Coast Drive, Newport Coast, CA 92651 USA; University of California Los Angeles, 621 Charles Young Drive, Los Angeles, CA 90095 USA. E-mail: [email protected]

The leptostracan crustacean Nebalia was studied in order to address alpha-taxonomic and phylogeographic hypotheses related to the diversification of this group along the western coast of North America. Morphological evidence from light and scanning electron microscopy, as well as sequence data from the cytochrome oxidase subunit I (COI) gene, was collected from 27 populations of Nebalia, 20 of which were examined from the Gulf of California and outer coast of the Baja California peninsula. The morphological character data and genetic structure from Nebalia document the presence of a number of previously unrecognized, cryptic species of this genus. The findings, in combination with data recovered from other taxa, also were examined in light of putative phylogeographic boundaries. Reconstructions include five major clades, each representing considerably large (>500km) stretches of coastline. A deep divergence occurs between specimens from the northern Pacific coast of Baja California and the remaining populations sampled from the peninsula and mainland. Populations from the Pacific and Gulf coasts of southern Baja appear to be more closely related than either of these two clades is with Nebalia from the coast of mainland Mexico, and a sequence divergence of 4-6% across the Gulf is consistent with its formation in the Pliocene. Hypotheses regarding the influence of such historical geological processes on speciation in Nebalia are discussed.

ECOLOGICAL ADAPTATIONS OF CRUSTACEAN HOLOPLANKTONIC LIVING WITHIN THE OXYGEN MINIMUM ZONE (OMZ) IN NORTHERN CHILE: THE CASE OF Eucalanus inermis (COPEPODA-CALANOIDA) Hidalgo, P.1,2, Escribano, R.1 1 CENSOR Project, COPAS Center, Pelagic Laboratory and Mesozooplankton (PLAMZ) Estación de Biologia Marina- Dichato, Universidad de Concepción, Chile; 2 Instituto de Biologia Marina, Universidad Austral de Chile. E-mail: [email protected]

A shallow (<50 m) oxygen minimum zone (OMZ) is a prominent feature of the coastal zone off northern Chile in the Humboldt Current. This zone can restrict the vertical distribution and diel migration of most crustacean zooplankton that exploit the very rich mixing photic zone. Among dominant zooplankton, Eucalanus inermis, is a large-sized copepod which is able to inhabit the OMZ. However the physiological and ecological consequences of living under poor-oxygen waters are poorly known for this species. In this work, experiments on Eggs Production Rate (EPR) and Moulting Rate (MR) were carried -1 out under two conditions of dissolved oxygen: low oxygen (<1 ml O2 ml ) using water obtained from the OMZ, and highly oxygenated water from the upper mixing layer. Females produced eggs only under low oxygen; EPR was 13.2 ± 5.63 eggs female-1day-1, whereas the MR has did not show significant differences between the upper oxygenated layer and the OMZ. Therefore, in terms of reproductive output and development, living within the OMZ does not seem to be a major constraint. The species may thus use other ecological advantages by inhabiting the OMZ system.

50 Coquimbo - Chile 14- 17 October 2007 ORAL CONTRIBUTIONS

THUMBS OUT: FOREIGN CRUSTACEANS HITCHHIKING TO NEW ZEALAND Hosie, A., Ahyong, S. NIWA, 301 Evans Bay Pde, Kilbirnie, Wellington, New Zealand. E-mail: [email protected]

Baseline surveys of 27 New Zealand ports and harbours began in 2001, and a major survey of commercial and recreational vessel hulls in 2005 in which ~700 vessels were surveyed. Since 2006 the National Institute of Water & Atmospheric research (NIWA) Marine Invasives Taxonomic Service (MITS) has been responsible for providing identifications of all samples collected by marine biosecurity programmes in addition to other incidental collections. To date, 18000 samples have been collected and MITS has identified almost 4500 crustacean samples (of a total of ~7000) out of which 86 species are non- indigenous Crustacea. These represent a broad range of crustacean groups including Decapoda, Amphipoda, Isopoda, Diplostraca and Cirripedia. Fifty-seven species were recorded from New Zealand waters for the first time. Most new records were generated from the program to survey the hulls of international vessels. Cirripedes dominated hull samples with up to 17 non-indigenous species of barnacles per ship. Vessel tracks typically coincided with known distributions but a few species are being transported from regions outside of known ranges. Species composition of fouling communities encompasses both cosmopolitan and regionally restricted species including species not known from outside their type localities. There is a large pool of species that are entering New Zealand waters on a regular basis yet very few are becoming established. This data is crucial for developing risk management strategies for protecting the New Zealand marine environment.

MOLECULAR PHYLOGENY OF FIDDLER CRABS (BRACHYURA: OCYPODIDAE: Uca) WITH EMPHASIS ON THE AMERICAN REPRESENTATIVES AND CHARACTER EVOLUTION Landstorfer, R.B.1, Felder, D.L.2 , Schubart, C.D.1 1Fakultät für Biologie I, Universität Regensburg, 93040 Regensburg, Germany; 2Dept. of Biology, University of Louisiana at Lafayette, Lafayette, Louisiana 70504-2451, USA. E-mail: [email protected]

Fiddler crabs of the genus Uca belong to the family Ocypodidae. Currently, there are 94 to 97 (depending on authors) known species of Uca, subdivided into 8 to 9 subgenera. The genus Uca has a cosmopolitan distribution and highest species numbers in marshes and mangroves of subtropical and tropical coastlines. Recently, a Proto-Atlantic origin of the genus has been postulated. According to this, the ancestral forms were the Atlantic representatives (today Afruca in the eastern Atlantic and the narrow front species of Uca on both sides of America), which gave rise to the large groups of broad front American and Indo-West-Pacific species, respectively. With a focus on American fiddler crabs, this study combines morphological and molecular phylogenetic examinations to address the validity of the subgenera and the role of genetic isolation by the Isthmus of Panama for the evolution of subspecies and species. With the rise of the land bridge of Panama, an insurmountable geographic barrier for marine organisms developed. This event dates back roughly three million years, which could be sufficient for subdivision of ancestral species into eastern Pacific and western Atlantic sister taxa. Results are presented as phylogenetic trees based upon the 16S rRNA gene, onto which divergent morphological characters are plotted. Comparison of our trees to others based on molecular and morphological data puts some previously postulated sister-species relationships and subgeneric classifications into question.

51 Coquimbo - Chile 14- 17 October 2007 ORAL CONTRIBUTIONS

CALCIUM STORAGE STRUCTURES IN CRUSTACEANS: Orchestia cavimana AND Cherax quadricarinatus AS MODELS OF STUDY Luquet, G. 1, Marin, F. 1, Marie, B. 1, Fernandez, M.S. 2, Neira-Carillo, A. 2, Arias, J.L. 2 1 UMR CNRS 5561 Biogéosciences, University of Burgundy, 6, Bd Gabriel, 21000 Dijon, France; 2 Faculdades de Ciencias Veterinarias y Pecuarias, Universidad de Chile and CIMAT, Santiago, Chile. E-mail: [email protected]

Among crustaceans, the calcification process of the cuticle of is tightly linked to the way of life of the animals considered. Most of the aquatic species take the calcium from their close environment (the water where they live). Terrestrial species (and sometimes also aquatic animals) have developed calcium storage strategies to partially calcify their exoskeleton. The site of calcium storage and the storage structures are very diverse but exhibit some similarities. Orchestia cavimana, a terrestrial amphipod, and Cherax quadricainatus, an aquatic decapod, represent good examples of crustaceans developing such storage processes. Orchestia cavimana stores calcium in diverticula of the midgut as calcareous concretions whereas Cherax quadricarinatus stores calcium in the stomach wall as gastroliths. 60% of the stored calcium is used to mineralize the new cuticle of the amphipod, but about 10% only are used in the case of the red-claw crayfish. Studies of the mineralogical nature of these structures have shown that both are composed of calcium carbonate in an amorphous form. Although amorphous calcium carbonate is known to be chemically unstable, these structures are stabilized in time, probably by some macromolecules of the organic matrix of these two biomineralizations. Study of the biochemical composition of the organic matrix show that if most of the matrix proteins seem different, some of them share chemical features. Investigations are in progress to further characterize these proteins, notably by obtaining their primary sequence and their precise function in the mineralization process. This will allow us to determine whether similar or different proteins are responsible for the elaboration of the calcium storage structures and for the stabilization of the amorphous form in these two phylogenetically different groups of crustaceans.

PLASTICITY OF REPRODUCTIVE TRAITS ALONG VERTICAL AND LATITUDINAL GRADIENTS IN TWO SPECIES OF PORCELANID CRABS: POSSIBLE EVIDENCE OF ENERGETIC COSTS ASSOCIATED TO THERMAL GRADIENTS Monaco, C. 1,2, Brokordt, K.1,2, Gaymer, C.F.1,2 1 Departamento de Biología Marina, 2 Centro de Estudios Avanzado en Zonas Áridas (CEAZA), Universidad Católica del Norte, Casilla 117, Coquimbo, Chile. E-mail: [email protected]

To evaluate phenotypic plasticity or evolutionary responses of organisms to different habitat temperatures, comparative studies have focused on species distributed along latitudinal gradients. The intertidal zone is also characterised by important spatial and temporal temperature gradients, which may be equivalent to those found over a large latitudinal gradient. Porcelanid crabs are widely distributed along latitudinal and vertical (subtidal-intertidal) gradients. Species inhabiting the upper intertidal live near their limits of thermal tolerance, obligating them to incur in high energy expense in order to activate their mechanisms of thermal protection. This energetic cost could decrease the energy available for growth or reproduction. We evaluated absolute fecundity, egg volume and size of first reproduction in the porcelanid crabs Petrolisthes granulosus and Allopetrolisthes angulosus, which show a wide latitudinal distribution (∼5ºS to 36º and 41ºS, respectively) and are found in the upper and lower intertidal zones, respectively. We sampled individuals of both species coming from Iquique (20°16'12 '' S), Coquimbo (30°04'12 '' S) and Concepción (36°35'45 '' S). For both species the highest absolute fecundities were observed at the southernmost Concepción. At Coquimbo, absolute fecundity was similar for both species, while at Iquique A. angulosus produced twice as many eggs as P. granulosus, and three fold at Concepción. For both species, the greatest egg volumes were found at Concepción, and those from P. granulosus were three fold bigger than those from A. angulosus at all sites. For both species size of first reproduction was greater at Concepción than in the northern sites. Our results indicate that all the reproductive traits evaluated were greater at Concepción, which could suggest energetic costs associated to thermal gradients.

52 Coquimbo - Chile 14- 17 October 2007 ORAL CONTRIBUTIONS

CONTRASTING NATURAL MORTALITY FROM EMPIRICAL MODELS AND BAYESIAN POSTERIOR DISTRIBUTION OF AGE-STRUCTURE STOCK ASSESSMENT MODEL: THE CASE OF YELLOW SQUAT LOBSTER (Cervimunida johni) Montenegro, C.P., Quiroz, J.C. Instituto de Fomento Pesquero IFOP, Blanco 839, Casilla 8V, Valparaíso Chile. E-mail: [email protected]

Stock assessment projects have been carried out by IFOP with the main goal of providing scientific advice for the management decision of the main fisheries resources of Chile. These fisheries resources includes yellow squat lobster Cervimunida johni, an endemic specie distributed from Taltal Port (25°25’S) to Isla Mocha (38°20’S) at depths of 200-400 m (Henríquez, 1979, Bahamonde et al., 1986, Henríquez & Peñailillo). We used an age-structure statistical catch at length model to describe the dynamic of the population and the harvest activity. In this model we used Bayesian approach for the estimation uncertainty by declare prior probability distribution for the parameters. For the natural mortality, we constructed a normal prior probability distribution based on estimations of a number of empirical models. Once the fitting process of the stock assessment model has converged, we used a Monte Carlo approach to estimate the posterior distribution of the model’s parameters, using the Hessian matrix for the variance-covariance and an assumption of normal multivariate distribution for the vector parameters. We compared the estimated marginal posterior distribution with the prior probability density function and highlight the importance and usefulness of Bayesian approach for the parameter estimation in the stock assessment process.

TWO NEW LAMPROPID SPECIES (CRUSTACEA: CUMACEA), Lampropenis sp. A AND Lampropenis sp. B, ARE DESCRIBED FROM THE SHORES OF THE PRIBILOF ISLANDS, ALASKA. Monson, E. 1, Gerken, S.2 1 3130 East 40th Avenue, Anchorage, AK 99508; 2 Department of Biological Sciences, University of Alaska Anchorage, 3211 Providence Dr. Anchorage, Alaska, USA. E-mail: [email protected]

A new genus and two new species of lampropid cumaceans (Lampropenis sp. A, Lampropenis sp. B) are described from specimens from the collections of the Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History. The samples were collected in 1917 from the Pribilof Islands, St George and St. Paul, Alaska. Cumaceans are small marine crustaceans that have direct development. They can be a large food source for marine predators when they are in abundance, and have been found in the stomach contents of many birds and fish. They can be anywhere from 1mm-30mm in length, with the larger specimens generally residing in deeper, colder waters. The family Lampropidae is recorded from depths ranging from more than 5000 m deep to the water’s surface. They have been identified at latitudes as far north as 79o and as far south as 75o, but are never found in tropical waters shallower than 390 m. A defining characteristic of this new genus is the presence of a pair of penial lobes on the fifth pereonite in the males. This character is uncommon amongst cumaceans, currently described from only two species, Archaeocuma peruana Bacescu 1972 and Campylaspenis rowei Bacescu & Muradian 1974.

53 Coquimbo - Chile 14- 17 October 2007 ORAL CONTRIBUTIONS

EXPERIMENTAL EVALUATION OF ABUNDANCE-CPUE PROPORTIONALITY ASSUMPTION TO USING TRAPS IN CRAB FISHERY ASSESSES Montecinos, M., Pardo, L.M. Laboratorio Costero Calfuco, Facultad de Ciencias, Instituto de Biología Marina; Instituto de Ecología y Evolución, Universidad Austral de Chile. E-mail: [email protected]

The abundance-catch per unit of effort (CPUE) proportionality is a key assumption used in fishery data in management of marine resources. In crustacean fisheries, traps have been widely used as fishing gear and CPUE could be expressed by catch by trap as a relative abundance estimator. However, attractiveness of bait, physical environment and inter and intraspecific interactions could seriously affect the probability that an individual would enter, violating the assumption of proportionality between the CPUE and abundance. Specifically, the effect of species interaction modifying individual entrance probability has attracted little attention, however in multi-species crab fisheries, this factor could be highly significant. This study aims to evaluate this effect. To test the latter, three crab species (C edwarsii, C. coronatus and H. plana; which correspond to species with greater presence in commercial capture) were put inside 9x3 tanks, in which the crustaceans were distributed equally according to sex and size. A collapsible dome trap from commercial capture was placed in each tank, with standardized bait (2 kg of fish Thyrsites atun) in each experiment. Variable response was the number of each species, sex, and size present in the traps after 24 hours. Two catch scenarios were simulated, high (n= 72) and low (n = 36) densities. As a control, experiments were made with monospecific populations in each tank. The obtained data were analyzed using a binomial GLM. The results show that one species (C. coronatus) and one sex (depending on species), have disproportional rates of capture in the traps with respect to experimental densities. This would imply that the assumption of equal-probability of entrance, indicated previously would not hold true. Thus, we present a corrective model for the standardization of the CPUE, in which changes in the fishing gear (trap) serve as a model in different scenarios of intra and interspecific competition of the population of crabs. Financial support: DID UACH and International Foundation for Science.

USING THE PATAGONIAN RED SHRIMP (Pleoticus muelleri) LARVAL STAGES TO FIND THE PARENTS! RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN THE LARVAL STAGES AND THE ENVIRONMENTAL IN THE SOUTHERN AREA OF THE SAN JORGE GULF, ARGENTINA Moriondo, P.I., De la Garza, J., Fischbach, C., Cucchi Colleoni, D. Instituto Nacional de Investigación y Desarrollo Pesquero, INIDEP, Mar del Plata, Argentina. E-mail: [email protected]

The Patagonian red shrimp, Pleoticus muelleri, is a temperate-cold water species with demersal benthic habits. This decapod supports one of the most important fisheries of Argentina, with annual landings averaging 26,426 tons and reaching 78,000 t. in 2001. Due to the particular features of the red shrimp’s life cycle (the whole cycle is accomplished in marine waters), it’s essential to learn about the environmental factors which can affect its normal development. The distribution of the larval stages provides an initial insight into the types of ecological processes that regulate the populations and structure assemblages. Identifying the associations between a specific species and abiotic factors can help to understand environmental influence on distribution patterns and achieve more effective fishery management. Plankton samples were collected in the southern area of the San Jorge Gulf during the summer scientific cruises, carried out from 2002 to 2007, with a Bongo sampler. Samples were analysed and processed in situ and in the laboratory, identifying and counting all the red shrimp eggs and larvae. Temperature, salinity and chlorophyll a data were recorded at each sampling station using a CTD with a fluorometer. The data were processed using quantile regressions in order to achieve a better view of the ecological relationships among the biotic and abiotic components. A positive relationship was found between the temperature and chlorophyll a and the egg and larval abundance, and a negative relationship was found between salinity and early stages’ abundance. The lower and the upper thermo-haline distribution were obtained with the q=0.1 and q=0.9 quantile regressions. These results are not only the base to find the limiting factors that affects the distribution of the red shrimp eggs and larval stages but also they are an important method used to find the spawners during the scientific cruises and a contribution in the generation of red shrimp fisheries management tools.

54 Coquimbo - Chile 14- 17 October 2007 ORAL CONTRIBUTIONS

CALIFORNIAN AND CHILEAN TRANSITION ZONES; ESSENTIALLY INVERTED MIRROR IMAGES OF EACH OTHER? Newman, W.A. Scripps Institution of Oceanography, La Jolla, CA 92093-0202. E-mail: [email protected]

Eastern and western boundary conditions at mid-latitudes on the Pacific coasts of California and Japan are biogeographically similar even though the latter lacks a pronounced steepening in the sea surface temperature gradient (SSTG), substantial upwelling, and a Mediterranean climatic zone on shore. Largely different species are also involved, but the provincial similarities are such, both on land and in the sea, that it can be said the two situations are essentially mirror images of each other. Biogeographic similarities of mid-latitude eastern boundary conditions along the Pacific coasts of North and South American are, as might be expected, even more similar since each includes a steepened SSTG, substantial upwelling, and a coastal Mediterranean climatic zone. Even though greater generic as well as specific differences are involved, biogeographically the two situations appear to be inverted mirror images of each other. It is the purpose of this paper to demonstrate the biogeographic similarities between the Californian and the Chilean transition zones; e.g., the zones between their overlapping biotic provinces; e.g., the Oregonian/Californian and the Peru-Chilean/ Magellanic provinces respectively. The most illustrative way to accomplish this is, in my opinion, by the “endpoint” method developed by I. M. Newell (1948). The implications are far reaching since they reflect the impact of oceanic water masses on the ecology of the terrestrial, shallow-water and coastal biotas as well as those out to sea.

THE CHINESE MITTEN CRAB IN THE BALTIC SEA – INCREASED BIODIVERSITY OR ENVIRONMENTAL THREAT? Normant, M., Przygoda, A., Kolasa, A., Szaniawska, A. Institute of Oceanography, Gdansk University, Al. M. Pilsudskiego 46, 81-378 Gdynia, Poland. E-mail: [email protected]

The Baltic Sea, which is the largest body of brackish water in the world, is characterized by low biodiversity. On the other hand the reservoir has been inhabited by non-indigenous species, especially over the last century. One of the examples is the Chinese mitten crab Eriocheir sinensis Milne-Edwards, 1853, for which the Baltic Sea is considered a migration area. However, population of the species has not been established its abundance has increased in many Baltic countries recently. The presence of E. sinensis increases the biodiversity of the Baltic Sea as well as of local communities as far as crabs themselves offer habitat for many epibionts. Our research has shown that it is not only the massive carapace but also the dense setal patches on the chelipeds that contain numerous organisms (up to 216) representing various taxonomical groups: Crustacea (Amphipoda, Isopoda, Harpacticoida), Arachnida, Insecta, Nematoda, Bivalvia and Gastropoda. As the Chinese mitten crab can migrate long distances, it might play a role in the transport of native and non-native species to new habitats via its mittened claws. On the other hand the presence of E. sinensis, a big omnivore which does not have natural enemies, might create a serious threat for the functioning of ecosystem, especially for the structure of benthic communities. Analyses of stomachs of adult mitten crabs have shown that bivalves, followed by crustaceans, gastropods, fishes and polychaetes were the most abundant among animal items. Only 12% of crabs had vegetable matter in their stomachs.

55 Coquimbo - Chile 14- 17 October 2007 ORAL CONTRIBUTIONS

A NEW ALASKAN LEUCONID (CRUSTACEA: CUMACEA), Leucon sp. nov. O’Hare, B.1, Gerken, S.2 1 1055 W. 27th Ave. #319, Anchorage, Alaska, USA; 2 Department of Biological Sciences, University of Alaska Anchorage, 3211 Providence Dr. Anchorage, Alaska, USA. E-mail: [email protected]

A new species of leuconid cumacean (Leucon sp. nov.) has been identified from specimens in the collections of the Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History, Washington D.C. The samples were collected in June of 1924 from Alaskan waters. Cumaceans are small marine crustaceans that range in size from 1 to 30 mm in length. They are sexually dimorphic and have direct development. Cumaceans are preyed upon by many marine animals and when present in large enough numbers can be a major food source. The family Leuconidae currently contains approximately 120 species in 14 genera. Some of the defining characters that are used to distinguish Leuconidae from other cumaceans include (1) the pleotelson, (2) male pleopods (two pairs, rarely fewer), (3) pleopods without external processes on the inner ramus, (4) free thoracic somites that are never reduced, (5) exopods on the maxillipeds, (6) one to four peropods in the male and one to three pereopods in the female, (7) truncated mandible lacking the dorsal to molar section and (8) bronchial apparatus without gill plates or supports. Leuconidae are generally found at depths of 100 meters or greater and temperate latitudes, although a few shallower water species are known.

THE IN-SITU BREATHING RATES OF TWO CRABS IN RELATION TO AGE, SEX AND REPRODUCTIVE STATE Pacherres, C.O.1, Mendo, J.2, Laudien, J.3 1 Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad Nacional Agraria La Molina, Aptado. 456, Lima-Perú; 2 Facultad de Pesquería, Universidad Nacional Agraria La Molina, Aptado. 456, Lima-Perú; 3 Alfred Wegener Institut, Bremerhaven, Alemania. E- mail: [email protected]

The oxygen consumption is an indirect measure of the breathing rate of an organism, and is an important factor to incorporate into ecological models of economically and scientifically important bays. The models require reliable data on how this breathing rates change according on the physiological state the most common organisms are in. As Cancer setosus and Hepatus chiliensis are two of the most common invertebrates found in Paracas bay, in-situ experiments, using a system of underwater chambers, were carried out to measure how oxygen consumption rates vary with age, sex and reproductive stage. Results show that: (1) young individuals of C. setosus (male and female) have higher oxygen consumption rates than adult -1 -1 -1 -1 individuals of the same species (juvenile female: 0.1620 µmol O2 min gr , juvenile male: 0.1392 µmol O2 min gr against -1 -1 -1 -1 adult female: 0.0776 µmol O2 min gr , adult male: 0.0191 µmol O2 min gr ); (2) females of C. setosus have higher oxygen -1 -1 consumptions rates than males, while the opposite was found for H. chiliensis (0.0848 µmol O2 min gr males against 0.0259 -1 -1 µmol O2 min gr females); and (3) in brooding females of C. setosus and H. chiliensis a clear decrease in the oxygen - consumption rate was measured as the developmental stage of the eggs progressed (C. setosus early stage: 0.1014 µmolO2 min 1 -1 -1 -1 -1 -1 gr , C. setosus late stage: 0.0721 µmolO2 min gr ; H. chiliensis early stage: 0.0274 µmolO2 min gr , H. chiliensis late -1 -1 stage: 0.0092 µmolO2 min gr ). The latter result contradicts previous experiments carried out in ex-situ conditions. Possible reasons of this behavior and the high variability of some results are, here by, discussed by the authors.

56 Coquimbo - Chile 14- 17 October 2007 ORAL CONTRIBUTIONS

ASSEMBLING THE DECAPOD TREE OF LIFE: MAKING SYSTEMATIC LITERATURE GLOBALLY AVAILABLE Pentcheff, N.D., Wetzer, R.W., Martin, J.W. Crustacea Section, Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County, 900 Exposition Blvd., Los Angeles 90007, USA. E-mail: [email protected]

Systematics is unusual in the sciences in that the historical literature of the field is still essential to modern research. Because accessing historical literature is difficult except at a wealthy university or museum, work in biodiversity and systematics is difficult to perform in other places. By digitizing and making available references and papers from the historical literature of the Decapoda, we hope to enhance global research on that group. In the experimental sciences, literature older than a few years or a decade becomes largely irrelevant to contemporary work. There is usually a modern paper, available electronically, that adequately presents the relevant results or techniques. That is not the case in biological systematics. Because species and higher taxa are defined by publication in the literature, the original descriptions actually form part of the data of the discipline. For a surprisingly large number of invertebrates, the original descriptive taxonomic paper remains the only literature on that entire species. Without access to the complete systematic literature (historical and contemporary) for a group, a researcher cannot make progress in the group’s study. The center of gravity for work in biodiversity and systematics is shifting away from the traditional Western (and Northern) bastions of research for a mixture of historical, geographical, and funding reasons. The research is being taken up by researchers local to the centers of biodiversity, particularly in tropical areas. That work is proving to be difficult, in part because getting the historical literature is difficult. Our group is part of an initiative to resolve the higher-order relationships of the Decapoda (http://decapoda.nhm.org). As part of that effort we have developed effective means to digitize and make available the relevant bibliographic information as well as (whenever possible) the full text of the taxonomic literature itself. This effort has proven to be challenging but will, we believe, result in a lasting contribution to the globalization of systematic research in the Decapoda.

BILATERAL COMPARISON OF THE ACCUMULATION OF NEUROLIPOFUSCIN IN EYESTALKS AND IN SUPRA- OESOPHAGEAL GANGLION OF Callinectes sapidus Pereira, C.R., D’Incao, F., Fonseca, D.B. FURG, Departamento de Oceanografia, Laboratório de Crustáceos Decápodos, CP: 474, 96201-900, Rio Grande, RS, Brazil. E-mail: [email protected]

Age determination using quantification of neurolipofuscin has been useful and reliable to understand crustacean populations. In the present investigation, in situ neurolipofuscin was quantified in the medulla terminalis of eyestalks (cluster A cell mass, MTA) and in the olfactory lobe cell mass 10 (OLCM 10) in the supra-oeesophageal ganglion of the blue crab Callinectes sapidus, using established and reliable microscopy methodology. Crabs were sampled in the estuary of the Lagoa dos Patos Lagoon and taken to the laboratory. Further, a random sub-sample of crabs was taken for the quantification of neurolipofuscin. It was not found a significant difference in neurolipofuscin quantity in right and left MTA (p = 0.06), and right and left OLCM 10 (p = 0.68), which demonstrated that there is no bilateral difference in neurolipofuscin accumulation (r = 0.79 and r = 0.95, for MTA and OLCM 10, respectively). When neurolipofuscin accumulation was compared between MTA and OLCM 10 it was found a weaker, although significant, correlation coefficient (r = 0.61, p < 0.001). Average neurolipofuscin was 0.40 % vol. and 1.0% vol. in MTA and OLCM 10, respectively. Lack of bilateral difference in neurolipofuscin accumulation simplifies the applicability of the method. The difference found in neurolipofuscin accumulation between MTA and OLCM 10 suggests that distinct rates of aerobic metabolism might have been occurring in these cell masses.

57 Coquimbo - Chile 14- 17 October 2007 ORAL CONTRIBUTIONS

SPATIAL AND DIEL LARVAL DISTRIBUTION OF A DEEP-SEA BRACHYURAN, Monodaeus couchii, OFF THE SOUTH COAST OF PORTUGAL Pochelon, P.N.1,2, dos Santos, A.2, Queiroga, H.1 1CESAM & Department of Biology, University of Aveiro, 3810-193 Aveiro, Portugal; 2IPIMAR, Avenida de Brasília s/n, 1449-006 Lisbon, Portugal. E-mail: [email protected]

Larvae are critical in the crustacean life cycle as they are often the only dispersal stage. Vertical migration, which is a widespread behavior in these larvae, controls the rate and direction of horizontal dispersal. Knowing larval distribution and abundance is necessary to predict location and size of the brooding population. In this study, diel and spatial distribution of the larvae of a brachyuran crab, Monodaeus couchii, were assessed. Two week-long campaigns were conducted at the end of January both in 2006 and 2007, respectively sampling 28 and 47 sites off the South Coast of Portugal. Larvae were collected by oblique plankton hauls with a Longhurst-Hardy Plankton Recorder (LHPR), which allowed the water column to be sampled into 25m strata from the surface to 300m, as well as with Bongo nets from the surface to 200m. The concentration of M. couchii larvae varied between 0 and 83.9 Ind*100m-3 and was higher in offshore waters than in coastal areas. First stage larvae were the most abundant (0-82.2 Ind*100m-3) and widespread whereas the concentration and distribution of zoeae IV and V was lower (0-1.18 Ind*100m-3) and restricted to few sampling sites. The average depth at which the larvae were encountered was unaffected by the phase of the day or larval stage and varied between 1.8 and 300 m. At three locations, high densities of larvae from one stage were encountered with few larvae of the previous and following stages. The observed results might be explained as being larvae of the same hatching event that are maintained together and transported within the same water mass, some developing faster than others. Alternatively, those locations of high larval densities might be the result of concentration and retention of zooplankton due to the hydrodynamic properties of the area.

CRUSTACEAN TAXONOMY IN A CHANGING WORLD Poore, G.C.B. Museum Victoria, GPO Box 666, Melbourne, Vic. 3000, Australia. E-mail: [email protected]

Crustacean taxonomists are faced with many competing tasks – identifying species in new collections, commenting on the significance of new discoveries in an environment with ever-increasing political overtones, describing new species, building phylogenies, reconciling phylogeny with classifications, providing species lists, and writing guides to identification. Conflicts exist between what is interesting and what is needed. Environmental scientists see the need for taxonomic support for their ‘biodiversity’ studies. Nevertheless, funding for parataxonomy (distinguishing one taxon from another and identifying them) and taxonomy (naming, classifying and interpreting) is only reluctantly emerging. In a world where experienced taxonomists are few and aging, and the demands are increasing, issues surrounding setting priorities are discussed.

58 Coquimbo - Chile 14- 17 October 2007 ORAL CONTRIBUTIONS

CRAB TRAPS: FISHING TIME AND GHOST FISH FOR Cancer johngarthi, IN THE SOUTHERN WEST COAST OF BAJA CALIFORNIA PENINSULA, MEXICO Ramírez-Rodríguez, M., Arreguín-Sánchez, F. Centro Interdisciplinario de Ciencias Marinas, Instituto Politécnico Nacional, Av. IPN s/n, Col. Playa Palo de Santa Rita, La Paz, Baja California Sur, México, 23096. E-mail: [email protected]

During trap-fishing projects for the crab Cancer johngarthi in the Baja California peninsula southwestern coast, Baja California Sur, Mexico, conducted between 2002 and 2006, information was gathered that allows the evaluation of the fishing efficiency in terms of the number of crabs caught per trap in one hour of operation (catch per unit of effort, CPUE = c/h-t). As a result of operation problems in the ships used, some trap lines were abandoned while ships returned to land for repairing, and given that the effective fishing time for these traps was significantly longer than the time under normal fishing operations, the information obtained was regarded as reflecting the potential effect on fishing of traps lost during fishing activities (ghost fishing). Of 819 hauls analyzed involving 71,590 traps, 79% had effective fishing times below 60 hours. There is an exponential reduction in CPUE with increasing fishing time (21 h, 1.4 c/h-t; 60 h, 0.5 c/h-t; 100 h, 0.3 c/ h-t; 200 h, 0.06 c/h-t; 1000 h, 0.005 c/h-t). In the beginning, this may be related to the saturation of the traps, and afterwards, to the presence of predators not selected by the traps along with the bait’s loss of effectiveness.

MOLECULAR SUPPORT FOR Nihonotrypaea harmandi (BOUVIER, 1901) AND ANOTHER NEW SPECIES OF Nihonotrypaea IN ARIAKE-SOUND ESTUARINE SYSTEM, JAPAN Robles, R.1, Tamaki, A.2, Felder, D.L1. 1 Department of Biology, University of Louisiana, Lafayette. PO Box 42451, Lafayette, LA 70504-2451; 2 Faculty of Fisheries, Nagasaki University, Bunkyo-machi 1-14, Nagasaki 852-8521, Japan. E-mail: [email protected]

Three species of Nihonotrypaea inhabit Japanese estuarine waters: N. harmandi (Bouvier, 1901), N. japonica (Ortmann, 1891), and N. petalura (Stimpson, 1860). Despite differences between N. japonica and N. harmandi in both morphology and habitat, species status for the later has been called into question, with such differences being regarded as variation within a single species. As the morphological characters used to erect N. harmandi have been questioned, we conducted an independent phylogenetic analysis based on molecular data to evaluate putative species of Nihonotrypaea. Our analysis included 38 organisms among which were represented Nihonotrypaea as well as selected other genera of the family Callianassidae. Divergence among four currently accepted species of Lepidophthalmus was measured to calibrate levels of intrageneric differences and compare this variation to that observed among the questioned species of Nihonotrypaea. Analysis of approximately 960-bp partial sequences of the 16S and 12S mitochondrial genes shows that N. harmandi is genetically separable from N. japonica, at divergence levels comparable to those seen among species of Lepidophthalmus. Furthermore, our phylogenetic analysis revealed yet another undescribed cryptic species within Nihonotrypaea, similar in morphology to N. petalura. Thus, four species of Nihonotrypaea are distributed in Japanese waters.

59 Coquimbo - Chile 14- 17 October 2007 ORAL CONTRIBUTIONS

A COMPARISON OF SPERM STORAGE AND MATING STRATEGIES IN BRACHYURANS Rodgers, P.J., Reaka, M.L., Hines, A.H. University of Maryland, College Park, MD; Smithsonian Environmental Research Center, 647 Contees Wharf Rd, Edgewater, MD. E-mail: [email protected]

The ability for females to store sperm across broods should drastically alter optimal male mating strategies. Males likely increase the amount of sperm allocated to a female at mating if she can store sperm across broods. These patterns of sperm storage and allocation can be constrained by phylogeny, and likely correspond with variation in mating strategies. Brachyuran crabs can have one of three mating strategies, female centered (males compete directly for access to females), resource centered (males defend valuable resources used by females), or encounter rate competition (males defend neither females nor resources). Sperm storage and increased male sperm allocation are predicted for a female centered strategy. Mating experiments are currently being conducted on six species of crabs from three superfamilies and with varying mating strategies to determine the average amount of sperm allocated per species, and across superfamilies. One side of the male gonopod is clipped, to prevent sperm transfer from one side of their reproductive tract, and male sperm allocation calculated for each species by counting the number of sperm in the clipped versus the non-clipped recipient spermathecae of the female after mating. Additionally, mating pairs of two species of fiddler crabs will be collected from the field in Panama during the summer of 2007 and the percent sperm allocated will be calculated. Preliminary data indicate there is a large degree of variation across species in copulation duration and the amount of sperm allocated. Additionally, from a survey of reproductive traits of ten brachyuran species, there is a large degree of variation at the species level in male sperm number and in sperm-egg ratios. This variation is likely explained by differences in their mating strategies and ecologies.

TEMPORAL DISTRIBUTION OF Cardisoma guanhumi LARVAE IN A SMALL ESTUARY IN PUERTO RICO Rodríguez-Fourquet, C. Kourosh, C., Fong-Lou, S., Department of Biology University of Puerto Rico Bayamón, 170 Carr 174, Parque Industrial Minillas, Bayamón PR 00959. E- mail: [email protected]

Cardisoma guanhumi is a semi-terrestrial brachyuran crab that inhabits coastal tropical areas of the Atlantic Ocean and Caribbean Sea. This land crab shows a complex life cycle with aquatic and terrestrial stages. The larval stages of the life cycle of C. guanhumi have not been studied in nature, while the terrestrial stage of the life cycle has been studied by several researchers. The temporal distribution and abundance of the two larval stages (zoea and megalopa) of these land crabs is unknown. The purpose of this ongoing study is to describe the temporal distribution of the larvae and to estimate the density of zoea and megalopa in a small estuary in Puerto Rico. Monthly plankton samples are being taken with two stationary stream drift nets placed at the mouth of Boquilla’s Creek, Manatí Puerto Rico. Water was filtered for an hour and volume was measured with a flow meter attached to one of the nets. Results up June 2007 show that megalopa stage is more abundant in May than in any of the other months. Identification of the larvae to species is ongoing. The reproductive season of C. guanhumi in Puerto Rico starts in May and ends in November. Therefore we found more larvae starting in May and we expect to continue to find more larvae during the next months. The results of this study will increase the knowledge the life cycle of a commercially important species in Puerto Rico and are important for the development of a management plan for the species.

60 Coquimbo - Chile 14- 17 October 2007 ORAL CONTRIBUTIONS

BRANCHIOPOD DISPERSAL Rogers, D.C. EcoAnalysts, Inc. 707 Dead Cat Alley, Suite 201, Woodland, CA 95695, USA. E-mail: [email protected]

Accurately detecting and measuring gene flow between Branchiopod crustacean populations in temporary pools is nearly impossible using molecular techniques due to the overall buffering effect of extant egg banks. However, if gene flow is occurring, then the genes should be capturable during dispersal. In an effort to capture branchiopod crustaceans moving out from their habitats, I examined various materials leaving and entering the pools. I was successful in collecting and culturing branchiopod crustaceans from wind blown dust, dust suspended by off road vehicles, mud from off road vehicles, mud from livestock and biologists’ feet, bird droppings and duck stomach contents. Other temporary pool crustaceans and flatworms were also reared from the samples.

AN ANOMURAN TAIL CONTINUED: A PHYLOGENY BASED ON rRNA Schnabel, K.1,2, Ahyong, S.1, Maas, E.1, Smith, P.1 1 National Institute of Water and Atmospheric Research Ltd, Wellington, New Zealand; 2 University of Otago, Department of Marine Science, Dunedin, New Zealand. E-mail: [email protected]

The classification of the anomuran decapods, which includes hermit crabs squat lobsters and king crabs, has been a dynamic tale since its inception in the 19th century. Most studies recognize three major clades: the Hippoidea (mole and sand crabs), Galatheoidea (squat lobsters and porcelain crabs), and Paguroidea (hermit crabs and king crabs). Despite the taxonomic and morphological diversity within this infraorder, rigorous phylogenetic studies are few in number. Here, we present preliminary results of a detailed phylogenetic analysis of 18S and 16S rDNA sequence data for 30 genera of Anomuran crustaceans (families Aeglidae, Albuneidae, Blepharipodidae, Chirostylidae, Coenobitidae, Diogenidae, Galatheidae, Hippidae, Lomisidae, Paguridae, Porcellanidae, Pylochelidae, and Kiwaidae). Our results support the basal position of a hippoid clade comprising hippids, albuneids and blepharipodids. However, our results do not strictly support monophyly of the galatheoid and paguroid superfamilies. Currently recognized families are well supported and their relationships are discussed in the context of recent classifications based on a variety of datasets (somatic morphology, spermatozoal morphology, neurobiology and molecular data).

61 Coquimbo - Chile 14- 17 October 2007 ORAL CONTRIBUTIONS

CRYPTIC SPECIATION IN THE EUROPEAN ROCK PRAWN Palaemon elegans (DECAPODA: PALAEMONIDAE) AS REVEALED BY POPULATION GENETICS Schubart, C.D.1, Reuschel, S.1, Cuesta, J.A.2 1 Biologie 1, University of Regensburg, D 93040 Regensburg, Germany; 2 Instituto de Ciencias Marinas de Andalucía, CSIC, Avda. República Saharaui 2, E 11510 Puerto Real, Cádiz, Spain. E-mail: [email protected]

The prawn species Palaemon elegans Rathke (1837) is a very common shrimp in intertidal pools and the shallow rocky subtidal along the European and African coast of the Atlantic Ocean as well as in the Mediterranean, Black, Caspian and Aral Seas. This is a geographical region strongly affected by well documented Pleistocene glaciations and contemporary oceanographic boundaries. The repeated opening and closing of the Strait of Gibraltar and the isolation of local populations have made the Mediterranean Sea a region of high endemism and source of biological diversity. For Palaemon elegans, several morphological variations have been described. At this point, however, it is considered a single species with no further taxonomic subdivision. In this study, we compare different populations of P. elegans along the European Atlantic and Mediterranean coastlines. Population genetics based on the two mitochondrial genes 16S rRNA and COI revealed a surprisingly high genetic differentiation between the Atlantic and two distinct Mediterranean populations of P. elegans. The geographic division of two of the resulting clades corresponds to the Almería-Oran oceanographic front, a well-defined hydrographic boundary between Atlantic and Mediterranean surface waters. The presence of a cryptic species is postulated within P. elegans, whose origin may date back to the isolation of the Mediterranean Sea during the Messinian Crisis.

PATTERNS IN DIVERSITY AND COMMUNITY STRUCTURE OF DECAPODA AND STOMATOPODA FROM THE CONTINENTAL SHELF OFFSHORE OF SANTOS, SOUTHERN BRAZIL Setubal Pires Vanin, A.M., Bromberg, S. Instituto Oceanográfico, Universidade de São Paulo, CEP 05508-900, São Paulo, Brasil. E-mail: [email protected]

The influence of the Baixada Santista estuarine complex on the adjacent shelf ecosystem has been studied since 2004 through the interdisciplinary research project ECOSAN that objectives to evaluate the input of organic and inorganic material, the physical mechanisms controlling this input and its impact on the ecosystem structure. The area is submitted to strong anthropic influence since it harbors the largest Brazilian port, petrochemical industries, the city of Santos and a submarine outfall. This work investigates the patterns of diversity and community structure of megabenthic crustaceans in the shelf face the input of nutrients and contaminants carried from the coast. Two oceanographic cruises were carried out in July 2005 and February 2006 sampling 21 stations beetween 15 and 97 m depth, with an otter trawl, in duplicate. Decapods and stomatopods were dominant reaching 78% in density and 67% in biomass of the total fauna. Fifty six species were identified with dominance of Brachyura. A contrast was found between winter and summer. Diversity was almost twice in winter; penaeids, mainly Xiphopenaeus kroyeri, highly dominated in summer and Portunus spinicarpus did it in the winter. The latter was the more productive season being density of crustaceans about 20 times higher at the coast. A stratified distribution of the fauna in three bands paralell to the coast according to sediment type and depth was observed, as well as a differencial structure of the communities in the south area. Water mass dynamics and eutrophication promoted by runoff of the estuarine system are the main processes responsible for the patterns observed. Financial support: FAPESP (Proc. 2003/09932-1)

62 Coquimbo - Chile 14- 17 October 2007 ORAL CONTRIBUTIONS

LIFE CYCLE ADAPTATIONS OF AMPHIPODS TO HYDROTHERMAL VENTS Sheader, M. School of Ocean and Earth Science, University of Southampton, National Oceanography Centre, Southampton SO14 3ZH, UK. E-mail: [email protected]

Amphipods have frequently been recorded as a dominant component of the macrofauna of hydrothermal vents, though none have been found to utilise endosymbionts; all are heterotrophs, thought to feed predominantly on bacterial detritus. Despite their abundance, amphipods remain one of the least studied faunal components. To date, the reproductive ecology of only three species of vent-endemic amphipod has been described. The first species Bouvierella curtirama inhabits long-lived vents on the slow-spreading mid-Atlantic Ridge. Populations are resident at vents throughout their life cycle, with relatively high vent fidelity. The other two species Halice hesmonectes and Ventiella sufuris are found at the relatively short-lived vents of the East Pacific Rise. H. hesmonectes juveniles colonise vents within a few months of their formation. Both sexes leave the vent at the instar prior to maturation, with females containing a cohort of large oocytes, and with their digestive diverticula grossly distended with reserves. Mature adults do not return to vents, and results indicate low vent fidelity. V. sulfuris largely replaces H. hesmonectes over time, and remains an abundant component of the fauna over much of the period of active venting. The life-history characteristics sit between those of B. curtirama and H. hesmonectes, with an intermediate level of vent fidelity. Pre-adult stages feed at vents with adults moving to the vent periphery to reproduce and brood. After moulting they return to feed at the vent habitats (eg tube / mussel beds), and undergo a new phase of gonad maturation and emigration.

EPIDEMIOLOGICAL STUDIES OF Panulirus argus VIRUS 1 (PaV1) IN THE CARIBBEAN SPINY LOBSTER Shields, J.D.1, Behringer, D.C.Jr.2, Butler, M.J.3 1 Virginia Institute of Marine Science, Gloucester Point, VA 23062; 2 University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32653 ; 3 Old Dominion University, Norfolk, VA 23529. E-mail: [email protected]

PaV1 is a pathogenic virus that infections juveniles of the Caribbean spiny lobster. From 2000 to 2002 we undertook a survey of the distribution of the virus in the Florida Keys. Lobster were diagnosed visually and histologically. Field data included spatial information as well as habitat type where lobsters were found and the density of lobsters. Infected lobsters occurred in patches throughout the Keys, with prevalence ranging from 0 to nearly 25%. Prevalence of the virus was highest in the smallest juveniles, and rapidly declined with increasing host size. Logistic regression was used to analyze the probability of infection in relation to size and habitat. Smallest lobsters (<30 mm CL) had significantly high odds ratios for infection when compared to larger animals (>40 mm CL). Infected lobsters were significantly associated with habitat type, with sponges having the highest association. Survival analysis indicated that infected lobsters have a significantly higher mortality rate than uninfected lobsters. Field studies are underway to examine the incidence of disease (the number of new cases over time) as well as the transmission of the virus into new patches.

63 Coquimbo - Chile 14- 17 October 2007 ORAL CONTRIBUTIONS

WHY THE PAUCITY OF HERMIT CRABS IN SITU IN THE FOSSIL RECORD? Shives, J.A., Dunbar, S.G., Nyborg, T.G. Department of Earth & Biological Sciences, Loma Linda University, Loma Linda, CA 92350. E-mail: [email protected]

Fossil hermit crabs found inside the gastropod shells they inhabited are especially rare, with only a handful of in situ specimens known worldwide. Since both the hermit crab and the shell are fossilizable, why is it that hermit crabs do not appear to be fossilized inside their gastropod shells when buried? A possible explanation for the paucity of in situ hermit crab fossils is that living hermit crabs may abandon their shells to more readily escape the sediment under which they are buried. We tested the behavioral responses of the intertidal hermit crab, Pagurus samuelis, to the environmental stress of burial. We hypothesize that a significant number of hermit crabs buried with sand would abandon their shells when compared with a control. We analyzed the independent variables, activity level, depth of burial, size of hermit crab and shell, and aperture orientation, using two logistic regressions for the dependant variables, shell abandonment and survival. We found that after burial with sediment, a significant number of hermit crabs abandoned their shells when compared with the control group. Aperture orientation strongly influenced shell abandonment, with 73.2 % of hermit crabs that abandoned their shells doing so from an aperture up position. None of the other variables significantly affected shell abandonment behavior. Our results indicate that once buried, a significant number of hermit crabs will abandon their shells and therefore would not be found fossilized together with the shell.

GEOGRAPHIC DISTRIBUTION AND RELATIVE ABUNDANCE OF COMMON DECAPOD CRUSTACEANS ASSOCIATED WITH ANEMONES, AND WITH POTENTIAL FOR THE AQUARIUM TRADE IN THE SHALLOW WATERS OF THE MEXICAN CARIBBEAN REEFS Simões, N., Campos-Salgado, A., Westendarp, P., Chiappa-Carrara, X., Mascaró, M. Unidad Multidisciplinaria de Docencia e Investigación, Facultad de Ciencias UNAM. Puerto de Abrigo s/n, Sisal-Hunucma C.P. 97355, Yucatán México. E-mail: [email protected]

The relative abundances and geographic distribution of 11 decapod species (Lysmata amboinensis, L. wurdemani, Periclimenes pedersoni, P. yucatanicus, P. rathbunae, Stenopus hispidus, S. scutellatus, Alpheus armatus, Thor amboinensis, Stenorynchus seticornis, Mithrax cinctimanus), with potential for illegal exploration within the international aquarium trade, were investigated for the Mexican Caribbean reefs, from Isla Contoy to the frontier with Belize. Data was collected at 160 hard-substrata stations evenly distributed along the coast using 45 min SCUBA immersions with two divers per station, at depths from <1m to 26m. Information for each species was grouped into 7 regions, defined according to oceanographic and biological criteria, and analysed with classic descriptive statistics. The northern regions of Isla Contoy and Cancun had less diversity and abundance of most species. Cozumel Island presented a very distinctive pattern of species presence, abundance and depth range distribution. Sian Ka’an reserve and Xcalak regions presented a great diversity and abundance of most species. Stenopus scutellatus, Lysmata amboinensis, L. wurdemani and Mithrax cinctimanus were rarely observed. Periclimenes yucatanicus numbers were surprisingly lower than expected at most regions with the major concentrations reported for Puerto Morelos and Xcalak. Eight species were found almost exclusively associated with anemones (Condilactis gigantea and Bartholomea annulata), whilst the other 3 (Stenopus hispidus, S. scutelatus and Stenorhyncus seticornis) were easily spotted for their distinctive characteristics, free living or close to the anemones. Distribution and abundance of shrimps and crabs is closely correlated with distribution and abundance of anemones. Cleaning behaviour to fishes was recorded for some species. Present results contribute the first detailed population survey of potentially exploitable marine decapod crustaceans within the shallow waters of the Mexican Caribbean coast, where some insignificant illegal fishing already occurs to supply the local incipient market.

64 Coquimbo - Chile 14- 17 October 2007 ORAL CONTRIBUTIONS

SEASONAL FATTY ACID FLUCTUATIONS OF Pachygrapsus crassipes IN SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA Sjoboen, A.D.1, Dunbar, S.G.1, Bošković, D.S.2 1 Loma Linda University, Department of Earth & Biological Sciences, Loma Linda, CA, USA; 2 Loma Linda University, Department of Biochemistry and Microbiology, Loma Linda, CA, USA. E-mail: [email protected]

The current investigation both identified fatty acids (FAs) as well as quantified total and specific FA concentrations in the striped shore crab, Pachygrapsus crassipes, in relation to seasonal temperatures and sex. We examined changes in FA abundance and FA saturation levels (saturated, monounsaturated, polyunsaturated) over seasons and between sexes. The year was divided into warm (June-November) and cold (December-May) seasons based on mean water temperatures reported from a location near the collection site. Seasonal FA changes were compared with reported intertidal temperatures to determine whether temperature contributed significantly to these changes. The abundances of methyl palmitoleate, methyl palmitate, and methyl docosahexaenoate were found to significantly fluctuate on a monthly basis. All three FAs had a significantly higher abundance in the warm season than in the cold season. When months were collapsed into warm and cold seasons, the abundance of methyl docosahexaenoate was found to be significantly affected by season. Seasonal changes in these FAs may be an adaptive mechanism used by P. crassipes to take advantage of their biochemical properties in different temperatures. Saturation levels were not found to be significantly different between sexes except in the case where monounsaturated FAs were significantly lower in males than in females in the month of December. We conclude that while there appears to be a slight affect of temperature on FA abundance, there may be other underlying factors influencing FA abundance. These factors may include molting, seasonality of food abundance, and reproduction.

GONOPORE SEXING TECHNIQUE FOR STUDIES ON SOCIALTY IN SYNALPHEUS SHRIMPS Tóth, E.1, Bauer, R.T.2 1 Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute, Unit 0948, APO AA, 34002-0948, USA ; 2 Department of Biology, University of Louisiana at Lafayette, 70504-2451, USA. E-mail: [email protected]

The alpheid genus Synalpheus contains many tropical species which live with marine invertebrates such as crinoids and sponges. Sociality varies from living in male-female pairs, small groups, and eusocial colonies, with the latter discovered by J. Emmett Duffy. The sex of colony members is key information for understanding the evolution of social organization and sexual systems in Synalpheus. Sexing of Synalpheus shrimps other than reproductive females has not been possible. Synalpheus males do not have the appendices masculinae on the second pleopods typically used for distinguishing males from non-reproductive females and juveniles in carideans. We were able to identify sex reliably by using the position of male and female gonopores. Although not readily visible with light microscopy, the gonopores are easily observed using scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The small body size of colony members allowed us to observe several to numerous individuals on a single SEM stub. We found a characteristic row of setae (“egg-guiding setae) above the female gonopores that might be used for sexing using light microscopy. Results from sexing establishes for the first time that colony helpers (= “workers,” “nestmates”) are both male and female. There is little sexual dimorphism in major chelae weapons and body size that would suggest “division of labor” in colony tasks such as defense. A field experiment in the eusocial S. rathbunae showed that unoccupied sponges are colonized by a dispersing male and female helper. “Intersexes” (with both male and female gonopores) were observed in some species, raising the possibility of variation in sexual systems ranging from gonochory to protandry to simultaneous hermaphroditism.

65 Coquimbo - Chile 14- 17 October 2007 ORAL CONTRIBUTIONS

BIOGEOGRAPHY OF TEMPERATE PORCELLANID SPECIES WITH EMPHASIS IN THE SPECIES OF THE EASTERN PACIFIC (DECAPODA, ANOMURA, PORCELLANIDAE) Werding, B.1, Viviani, C.A.2, Hiller, A.1 1 Justus-Liebig-University Giessen, Germany; 2 Universidad Arturo Prat, Iquique, Chile. E-mail: [email protected]

Porcellanids are predominantly tropical and littoral. While some tropical species show a distribution that extends to warm- temperate waters, species that are restricted to temperate climates are rare in most oceans. However, the temperate fauna of the East Pacific is exceptionally rich (30 species). It comprises about a third of the fauna of this region, and consists of a northern element from California trough Alaska, a warm temperate component from the Gulf of California, and those species from the southern coasts of Peru and Chile. Most, if not all temperate American species seem to have a tropical origin as suggested by some morphological lines comprising tropical and temperate species. One such line is the Petrolisthes tonsorius-tridentatus group with over 10 tropical species and an equally large number of temperate species. Of particular interest is a group of temperate Pachycheles species with a disjunctive distribution in the eastern Pacific. The presence of a closely related tropical species from the western African coast, and the existence of a fossil record of another relative from the Pliocene of Costa Rica suggest a tropical origin of that group. Other closely related temperate species from the northern West Pacific and the temperate West Atlantic suggest immigration from the E-Pacific to the Asian coast through the Bering route, and to the southern West Atlantic through a southern seaway. The extraordinary development of a temperate Porcellanid fauna seems to result from a rich tropical species-pool with direct access to an extended temperate coast subject to shifting climatic boundaries. Preliminary molecular results based on DNA sequences of the nuclear 18S rRNA gene and a fragment of the mitochondrial 16S rRNA gene from a selected group of temperate and tropical eastern Pacific porcellanids seem to support our hypotheses on the biogeographic history of the temperate porcellanid fauna in this region.

THE SPHAEROMATIDAE—ONE WORLD-WIDE FAMILY OR A FAMILY CLUSTER? WHAT MOLECULAR SYSTEMATICS REVEALS ABOUT SPHAEROMATID ISOPOD (PERACARIDA) RELATIONSHIPS Wetzer, R.1, Bruce, N.2 1 Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County, 900 Exposition Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90007; 2 Marine Biodiversity and Biosecurity, National Institute of Water and Atmospheric Research, Wellington, New Zealand; present address: Museum of Tropical Queensland, Townsville, 70–102 Flinders St., Townsville, 4810, Australia. E-mail: [email protected]

The Sphaeromatidae is the largest free-living aquatic isopod family, with 99 described genera and more than 680 known species. Sphaeromatids occur worldwide, are most abundant in shallow-water (intertidal to 500 metres) marine communities, have been recorded as deep as 1400 m; and are present in permanent freshwater habitats, notably in the karst regions of central and eastern Europe. Our goal is to understand the relationships of sphaeromatid genera, identify generic and family level groupings and develop phylogenetic hypotheses that can provide a sound basis for future biogeographic, mating-system evolution, ecological, behavioral, and other studies.The Sphaeromatidae display enormous diversity in morphology and life history traits, which obfuscates evolutionary relationships among genera. The three classically used subfamilies are not monophyletic. Sphaeromatids' impressive exploitation of diverse habitats, in combination with diversity in female life-history strategies and elaborate male combat structures, has resulted in extraordinary levels of homoplasy. These features, combined with an emphasis on regional faunas and a historic taxonomic focus lacking a contemporary phylogenetic framework, have resulted in the use of plesiomorphic and homoplasious characters to define sphaeromatid genera as well as the subfamilies. An understanding of the phylogenetic relationships of the family is pivotal to unravelling phylogenetic relationships within the Sphaeromatidea, and the relationship of sphaeromatids to Valvifera, Cymothoida, and hence the Isopoda. We have sequenced 16S- and 18S-rDNA from 90+ species representing more than 52 genera. With over 1400 sequence fragments in hand and analyses currently ongoing, we will report on our findings of relationships within the family as well as identify some of the more speciose non-monophyletic genera.

66 Coquimbo - Chile 14- 17 October 2007 ORAL CONTRIBUTIONS

VARIATION IN REFUGE HABITAT USE AND SELECTION BY COMPETING PREDATORY CRABS, Acanthocyclus gayi AND A. hassleri, ALONG THE COAST OF CENTRAL CHILE Wieters, E., Salles, E., Januario, S. Estación Costera de Investigaciones Marinas, Departamento de Ecología, Facultad de Ciencias Biológicas, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile. E-mail: [email protected]

Interference competition for limited habitat or refuges is known to produce density-dependent mortality and generate differential patterns of micro-habitat distribution. In the case of mobile animals, competition can be intensified by the need to select and occupy refuges from predators. Previous studies identified asymmetric interference competition for refuges as the prime factor determining the microhabitat segregation between the intertidal predatory crabs Acanthocyclus gayi and A. hassleri (Bellidae), with A. hassleri monopolizing galleries inside mussel beds and leaving A. gayi to occupy rock crevices. However, the distributional pattern could reflect differences in habitat preferences and variation in habitat quality/suitability. Surveys conducted at 12 sites spanning across ~ 900 km of central Chilean coast demonstrate that persistent and regular alongshore variation in predominant habitat-modifying organisms, mussel beds and turf-forming macroalgae, explains among- site differences in population size and refuge habitat use of competing crab species. Controlled laboratory experiments, combined with field observations and transplant experiments, revealed that crabs do indeed present strong, differential refuge habitat preferences, which vary depending upon habitat traits. Individual A. gayi preferred to hide in algal turf when the turf was tall, but strongly preferred crevices when the turf was short. In contrast, habitat preference patterns for the competitively- dominant A. hassleri contrasted that of A. gayi. Our results indicate that suitable refuge sites are a limiting resource, that differences in refuge habitat preferences between species play an important role in local micro-habitat distribution of crabs, and that among-site changes in habitat traits drive alongshore variability in crab preferences. These findings suggest that variation in refuge preferences may lead to important consequences for the strength of competition between species, and that trait-mediated indirect interactions could play a pivotal role in the regulation of low shore community dynamics that vary over meso-scales along the central coast of Chile.

MORPHOLOGY OF THE MOUTHPARTS AND CIRRI OF TRYPETESID BURROWING BARNACLES (CRUSTACEA: CIRRIPEDIA: ACROTHORACICA) ASSOCIATED WITH HERMIT CRABS Williams, J.D., Marucci, A. Department of Biology, Hofstra University, Hempstead, NY 11549 USA. E-mail: [email protected]

The burrowing barnacle family Trypetesidae contains two genera Tomlinsonia (2 extant species) and Trypetesa (5 extant species) all members of which are obligate symbionts of hermit crabs. Studies were initiated on a new species of Trypetesa from the Philippines and specimens from Jamaica, West Indies (provisionally identified as Trypetesa lampas) associated with hermit crabs from shallow subtidal coral reef areas. The purpose of this research was to compare the feeding appendages of these species based on SEM investigations. All Trypetesa specimens exhibited strongly recurved mandibles, lacking accessory spines. Maxillae I were smaller and more acute than the mandibles and had rows of small tapered denticules covering the surface. Maxillae II were elongate with many long thin setae and 2-4 stout setae on the rounded distal end. Sparsely distributed stub setae were present at the base of maxillae II. Thoracic cirri II-IV of all Trypetesa specimens were uniramous with 4 segments; cirri II-III had a protuberant “cushion” on the distal inner surface of the second segment with regular rows of small tapered, bladelike denticules; cirri IV lacked the “cushion”. The fourth segment of all cirri terminated in three hooks. The functional significance of the differences in the morphology of the mouthparts and cirri (particularly the protuberant “cushion”) remains unknown. However, Trypetesa specimens from the Philippines and Jamaica were found with eggs of host hermit crabs in their guts. Their feeding biology and potential impacts on hosts will be reviewed and compared to the genus Tomlinsonia.

67 Coquimbo - Chile 14- 17 October 2007 ORAL CONTRIBUTIONS

AN ECOLOGICAL STUDY OF A CAVE CHARACTERIZED BY ENORMOUS NUMBERS OF REMIPEDE CRUSTACEANS Yager, J., Escobar-Briones, E. Department of Environmental and Biological Sciences, Antioch College, Yellow Springs OH 45387; Institute de Ciencias del Mar y Limnologia, Universidad Nacional Autonoma de Mexico (UNAM). E-mail: [email protected]

El Sistema Crustaceo, a cenote in Quintana Roo, Mexico was studied weekly for the span of one year. In contrast to other anchialine caves, El Sistema Crustaceo is the richest the authors have seen in terms of population sizes of two crustacean species: typhlatyid shrimp and speleonectid remipedes. While the composition and abundance of associated cave crustaceans is similar to other anchialine caves (e.g. amphipods, cirolanid isopods, mysids and thermosbaenaceans), in comparison there are hundreds of thousands of shrimp and thousands of remipedes in this cave. The yearlong study included 1. examination of remipede density, in situ behavior, population dynamics; 2. water chemistry analysis including physical parameters and chemical nutrient data; 3. analysis of the sediment for fauna and organic content; 4. identification of associated fauna; 5. behavioral studies of remipedes in aquaria. A 279.3 m transect with 17 stations was run along the main passage of the cave. Remipedes were counted between each station along the transect line, with one diver counting all remipedes seen 2 meters to the right of the line and another diver counting to the left of the line. The majority of remipedes occurred consistently between stations 9-13. The maximum number of remipedes counted on one dive was 1752. What accounts for the amazing number of remipedes? Several factors must be considered: abundant food supply, lack of competitors, lack of predators, abundant space and other favorable parameters. In the area between stations 9-13 where the highest density of remipedes occurs, a large fracture runs along the ceiling. The crack has tannic, sulfide-rich water and surface detritus floating in it, mainly leaves. This rich soup of particulate and dissolved organic material supports bacteria and protozoans. The shrimp congregate in this area to feed and become prey for the remipedes.

RESTRICTED GENE FLOW AMONG BARNACLE POPULATIONS INDICATES POSSIBLE SELECTION OR ECOLOGICAL SHIFT Zakas, C.1, Binford, J.1, Navarrete, S.2, Wares, J.1 1 University of Georgia; 2 Pontificia Universidad Catolica de Chile. E-mail: [email protected]

Larval recruitment in benthic costal communities is strongly effected by oceanographic topography. Notably, current change and differences in upwelling regimes can cause a break in settlement patterns even in proximal regions. On the Chilean coast, barnacle settlement in the upper intertidal regions shows a marked decrease in recruitment above 32/33°S, possibly due to such oceanographic factors or differences in selective pressures. In order to better understand this observed community shift, genetic comparisons of the mitochondrial CO1 gene of Notochthamalus scabrosus have been synthesized for populations both north and south of the break. Phylogenetic analysis of the CO1 makers shows 3 distinct clades of one northern and two southern populations, demonstrating that this recruitment break is related to genotype. Further genetic comparisons in nuclear markers such as EF1 are currently being analyzed in order to better resolve parental source populations as well as specific selective pressures. With these results, more conclusive evidence can determine if this recruitment break is due to physical barriers or a sudden ecological shift.

68 Coquimbo - Chile 14- 17 October 2007 POSTER CONTRIBUTIONS

GROWTH AND MOLT CYCLE OF THE BLUE-CRAB Callinectes sapidus ON THE PATOS LAGOON ESTUARY, BRAZIL Alaniz-Rodrigues, M., D’Incao, F. Laboratório de Crustáceos Decápodes, Fundação Universidade Federal do Rio Grande, Av. Itália, Km 8, Rio Grande, RS, Brasil. 96201-900. E-mail: [email protected]

The absence of hard structures capable of register age on crustacean requires the use of methods such as modal progression analysis (MPA) to estimate growth. In this work, growth and mortality of juveniles and adults of the blue crab Callinectes sapidus were studied through field and laboratory surveys, in attempt to develop an adequate method to obtain softcrabs on the Patos Lagoon estuary. Gompertz and von Bertalanffy curves were used to estimate growth parameters of blue crabs collected on the Patos Lagoon estuary. Crabs obtained from field sampling were kept under laboratory conditions (temperature = 25±2°C, salinity = 20±5), on a water recirculating system and measured before and after molting. Individuals used for growth and mortality analysis were collected between 2002 and 2003 in predetermined sampling sites by using otter-trawl and renfro nets. Measures consisted of carapace length from the last antherolateral spines (CL - mm) and wet weight (W - grams). Maximum carapace lengths used as asymptotic length were taken from long term catch series of larger individuals and used to validate the growth curves (157.78 mm for females and 162.71 mm for males). Growth estimates based on Gompertz model for smaller individuals reared in laboratory, were as follows: k=0.0238; co=4.15; longevity= 2530 days for males and k=0.00375; co=4.69; longevity= 1638 days for females. Growth estimates based on von Bertalanffy growth curve were k=0.0016/day; to=-0.7; longevity= 3117 days for males and k=0.0018/day; to=-12.6; longevity= 2795 days for females. Growth parameters and longevity estimates for the field collected animals were k=0.04502/day; to=-4.23; 1267 days for males and k=0.04271/day; to=-3.71; 1260 days for females. No significant correlation was obtained among laboratory and field animals, suggesting a different growth rate. The Patos Lagoon estuary shows good potential for the establishment of a softcrab facility, as an alternative income for the artisanal fisheries.

ON A COPEPODA NICOTHOID PARASITIC ON THE CUMACEAN Diastylis fabrizioi n. sp. FROM THE SOUTHWESTERN ATLANTIC OCEAN Alberico, N.A., Arias, M.G., Roccatagliata, D. Departamento de Biodiversidad y Biología Experimental, Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales, Universidad de Buenos Aires, Ciudad Universitaria, C1428EHA Buenos Aires, Argentina. E-mail: [email protected]

Nicothoids have been reported infesting either the branchial chambers or the brood-pouch of cumaceans. Of the 1773 specimens of Diastylis fabrizioi n. sp. recently collected in the southwestern Atlantic Ocean, 2.6 % was found to be infested by a nicothoid of the genus Homoeoscelis. The infested cumaceans were easily detected because their carapaces were considerably swollen on the side containing the parasites, and/or the parasites were perceptible through the hosts’ partially translucent cuticle. Of the 46 parasitized cumaceans gathered, 17 were adult females (with fully developed oostegites), 22 preparatory females, 2 subadult males and 5 juveniles. No infested adult males were observed. Ten out of the 17 infested adult females contained mancas or eggs in different stages of development in their brood-pouches, suggesting that the parasite does not affect the reproductive potential of the host. Inside the gill chambers of the hosts adult females and males, copepodids and ovisacs were found. The parasite occurs nearly equally in the right and left gill chambers, and no double infestations were observed. Thirty-eight out of the 44 female parasites found were accompanied by a male (rarely 2). This is the first time the genus Homoeoscelis is recorded from the Southern Hemisphere. This research was partially supported by the ANPCyT (PICT 02-11180) and the Argentine Scientific Council (CONICET).

69 Coquimbo - Chile 14- 17 October 2007 POSTER CONTRIBUTIONS

RELATIVE GROWTH OF THE FEMALES SPIDER CRAB Leurocyclus tuberculosus (H. MILNE EDWARDS & LUCAS, 1843) (BRACHYURA, MAJOIDEA) FROM THE UBATUBA REGION, SÃO PAULO, BRAZIL Almeida, A.C., Fransozo, V., Castilho, A.L. NEBECC (Crustacean Biology, Ecology and Culture Study Group). Depto Zoologia, IB, Universidade Estadual Paulista, 18618-000, Botucatu, SP, Brasil. E-mail: [email protected]

Crustacean growth is discontinuous, and throughout this process, some body dimensions suffer different growth rates comparing to others. The study of the relative growth has been utilized in brachyurans mainly to determine the beginning of the sexual maturity and the allometry level of a certain relationship in a species. The relative growth of the spider crab L. tuberculosus was investigated by means the allometric technique. Crabs were collected by trawling with a double-rig net, in the Ubatuba region, São Paulo littoral, during 2002. Measurements of the carapace length (CL) and width (CW); length (PL) and height (PH) of both cheliped propodus and abdomen width (AW) were accomplished. Only adult and juvenile females were analyzed in this investigation. Regressions were performed according to the allometric equation (Y=aXb ) and Student’s t-test was performed to evaluate the allometric growth coefficient. All the relationships were isolated analyzed for each development phases and they differed statistically (p<0.05). The relationship AW vs. CW presented allometric positive in the juvenile period and isometric in the adult. This relationship presented the best evidence for the sexual maturity for this species showing an overlapping of the juvenile and the adult phases. The size of the spider crabs ranged from 9 to 36.6 mm of CW, being the maturation interval from 17.1 to 29.4 mm of CW. The allometry registered for the female abdomen can be an advantage once its increasing promotes a better incubation condition for the new generation. Further studies focusing the reproductive biology of L. tuberculosus under histological view could clarify the exact size at onset of its sexual maturity. Financial support: first author CAPES fellowship; FAPESP

SNAPPING SHRIMPS GENUS Alpheus FABRICIUS (CRUSTACEA: ALPHEIDAE) FROM THE COAST OF BAHIA STATE, EASTERN BRAZIL Almeida, A.O.1, Bezerra, L.E.A.2, Coelho, P.A.2 1 Universidade Estadual de Santa Cruz, Departamento de Ciências Biológicas. Rodovia Ilhéus-Itabuna, km 16. 45662-000 Ilhéus, BA, Brasil; 2 Universidade Federal de Pernambuco, Departamento de Oceanografia, Programa de Pós-Graduação em Oceanografia. Av. Arquitetura, s/n, Cidade Universitária. 50670-901 Recife, PE, Brasil. E-mail: [email protected]

The snapping shrimp genus Alpheus Fabricius is among the most diverse and abundant of all carideans, with over 280 described species. Alpheus species live in a wide variety of coastal habitats including under stones, in crevices along rocky shores, in estuaries, mangroves, and in symbiotic associations with other invertebrates and fishes. A total of 22 species are known from Brazilian coast between Cape Orange, Amapá, and southern Bahia, east coast. Here we report the marine and estuarine shore Alpheus species collected between 2003 and 2007, on the southeast and southern Bahia coast, an area of remarkable zoogeographic interest, part of the transition zone between Brazilian and Paulista Provinces. The material was obtained during the activities of three survey projects conducted in the study area (between 13°56’S; 39°05’W and 18°05’S; 39°33’W), and deposited in the carcinological collection of the Museu de Zoologia, Universidade Estadual de Santa Cruz, Ilhéus, Bahia, Brazil. The following Alpheus species were collected: A. armillatus, A. bouvieri, A. chacei, A. cristulifrons, A. estuariensis, A. floridanus, A. formosus, A. heterochaelis, A. intrinsecus, A. packardii, A. paracrinitus, and A. pontederiae. The first report of A. chacei, A. estuariensis, A. heterochaelis, and A. pontederiae from Bahia were recently published based on material collected during those projects. Alpheus cristulifrons and A. paracrinitus are here recorded from Bahia for the first time. The list of species is completed by A. amblyonyx, A. cylindricus, A. macrocheles, and A. simus, all of them referred in the specific literature. The identity of several species treated here will require further confirmation, because several Alpheus species are, in fact, species complexes (e.g. A. armillatus, A. cristulifrons, A. cylindricus, and A. floridanus). So, the true diversity of the fauna of snapping shrimps from Bahia (and the entire Brazilian coast) is certainly underestimated.

70 Coquimbo - Chile 14- 17 October 2007 POSTER CONTRIBUTIONS

BRACHYURAN CRABS FROM THE COAST OF BAHIA, EASTERN BRAZIL: CHECKLIST AND ZOOGEOGRAPHIC CONSIDERATIONS Almeida, A.O.1, Coelho, P.A.2, Bezerra, L.E.A.2 1 Universidade Estadual de Santa Cruz, Departamento de Ciências Biológicas. Rodovia Ilhéus-Itabuna, km 16. 45662-000 Ilhéus, BA, Brasil; 2 Universidade Federal de Pernambuco, Departamento de Oceanografia, Programa de Pós-Graduação em Oceanografia. Av. Arquitetura, s/n, Cidade Universitária. 50670-901 Recife, PE, Brasil. E-mail: [email protected]

The coast of Bahia state, eastern Brazil, represents a significant portion of the entire Brazilian coast (more than 10%). However, the invertebrate fauna of this area still remains poorly known, especially the shallow-water fauna. Moreover, this is a region of remarkable zoogeographic interest, possibly part of the transition zone between Brazilian and Paulista provinces. We provide here a list of brachyuran crabs from Bahia based on literature and material deposited in the carcinological collection of Museu de Zoologia, Universidade Estadual de Santa Cruz (MZUESC), Ilhéus, Bahia, Brazil. The list includes marine and estuarine species reported at least once in the study area. The specimens at MZUESC were obtained between 2003 and 2007, during the activities of three survey projects conducted in central, south-eastern and southern coast of Bahia (between 13°56’S; 39°05’W and 18°05’S; 39°33’W). A total of 152 species is reported, from which 96 are represented at MZUESC collection. Regarding the patterns of longitudinal distribution, 5 of the species are circum-tropical, 7 are amphi-atlantic, and 3 are amphi- american. The portunid Charybdis hellerii A. Milne Edwards is an introduced species of Indo-West Pacific origin. The remaining 136 species are western Atlantic species, of which 16 are known to be endemic in Brazil. For 20 species (about 13%), the coast of Bahia is the southernmost limit of their known ranges in the western Atlantic. Their presence suggests that this area may be a transition zone between the Brazilian and Paulista zoogeographic provinces. Finally, two short range extensions in the western Atlantic are reported: the hymenosomatid Elamena gordonae Monod, from Camamu Bay (13°S) to 18°S, and the sesarmid Sesarma curacaoense De Man, from Ilhéus (15°S) to 18°S.

FIRST REPORT OF THE ESTUARINE ISOPOD Anopsilana jonesi KENSLEY (CRUSTACEA: CIROLANIDAE) FROM BRAZILIAN COAST Almeida, A.O.1,2, Paiva, R.J.C.2, Souza, G.B.G.1, Boehs, G.1, Coelho, P.A.2 1 Universidade Estadual de Santa Cruz, Departamento de Ciências Biológicas. Rodovia Ilhéus-Itabuna, km 16. 45662-000 Ilhéus, BA, Brasil; 2 Universidade Federal de Pernambuco, Departamento de Oceanografia, Programa de Pós-Graduação em Oceanografia. Av. Arquitetura, s/n, Cidade Universitária. 50670-901 Recife, PE, Brasil. E-mail: [email protected]

The estuarine brackish water cirolanid isopod Anopsilana jonesi Kensley was previously reported from Belize, the type- locality, and Quintana Roo (Mexican Caribbean), being rarely recorded since its description, in 1987. We report herein, for the first time, the occurrence of A. jonesi on Brazilian coast, enlarging significantly the known geographic range of this species in the western Atlantic. The material analyzed was collected by hand in May 2007. The specimens were found associated to Crassostrea rhizophorae (Guilding) (Mollusca: Ostreidae) beds, attached to jetties, in two estuarine areas in Santa Cruz Cabrália (16°16`S, 39°01`W) and Porto Seguro (16°27`S, 39°03`W), southern Bahia, east coast of Brazil, in salinities varying from 14 to 19. Voucher specimens were deposited in the Crustacea collection of the Universidade Estadual de Santa Cruz, Ilhéus, Bahia, Brazil. The species is characterized by the presence of well developed and pigmented eyes, and integument strongly pigmented with almost solid central area on pereonites 1-7. The male cephalon is provided with tubercles near posterior margin, whereas the female cephalon is unarmed. The posterior margin of pleotelson is armed with 9 or 10 spines. Moreover, the frontal lamina in this species is narrow, pentagonal in shape, and anteriorly acute, not projecting, differing from A. browni (Van Name), the other species of Anopsilana assigned from Brazil, which presents a distally rounded and projecting frontal lamina. It is difficult at present to assess the pattern of distribution of this so far rarely recorded species, but we believe that A. jonesi possibly has a continuous distribution in the western Atlantic, from the Mexican Caribbean to Brazilian Zoogeographic Province. The huge gap in the species distribution in northern and northeastern Brazil is probably due to the lack of collections in mangroves or more specifically in oyster beds.

71 Coquimbo - Chile 14- 17 October 2007 POSTER CONTRIBUTIONS

A NEW SPECIES OF Ventojassa (CRUSTACEA: AMPHIPODA: COROPHIIDEA: ISCHYROCERIDAE) FROM THE BEAGLE CHANNEL, ARGENTINA Alonso, G.M.1, Chiesa, I.L.1, 2 1 Museo Argentino de Ciencias Naturales “Bernardino Rivadavia”, Div. Invertebrados, Av. Ángel Gallardo 470, (C1405DJR) Buenos Aires, Argentina; 2 Laboratorio de Artrópodos, Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales, Universidad de Buenos Aires, Argentina. E-mail: [email protected]

Ventojassa Barnard, 1970 is composed of six species distributed in Australia, New Zealand, Madagascar, Korea and southern California. Vader and Myers (1996) pointed out that the poorly described and figured V. georgiana (Schellenberg, 1931) cited from southern Tierra del Fuego, Magellan Straits, Antarctica and sub-Antarctic islands could not belong with this genus and they provisionally transferred the species to a new genus (Ruffojassa). Ventojassa is distinguished by accessory flagellum well developed; coxae 1-5 of similar depth; coxa 4 not excavate posteriorly; uropod 3 peduncle lacking setae or with fine setae on its outer margin, outer ramus recurved apically, bearing 1-3 wire setae and telson with two or more subapical cusps. Ventojassa sp. nov., collected in the Beagle Channel, northern of Despard Island (54º 52'S 68º10'W) at 8-12 m depth, was associated to holdfasts of Macrocystis pyrifera. It is characterized by head with lateral cephalic lobes triangular and apically acute; eyes located far from the apex of ocular lobes; maxilla 1, inner plate naked; gnathopod 1 propodus shorter than carpus; female gnathopod 2 much stronger than 1, carpus subtriangular, very short, propodus subquadrate; male gnathopod 2 stouter than in female, carpus short, saucer-like, propodus very robust, quadrate, with a slight round process at the palmar corner, medially excavated and with a large process subdistally; peraeopod 6 much more longer than 5, and 7 longer than 6; uropod 3, outer ramus with one wire-like seta on outer margin; telson with well developed submarginal cusps. The new species is separated from all Ventojassa species by the shape of the acute cephalic lobes, the location of eyes far from ocular lobe apex, and numerous telsonic subapical cusps. If future studies confirm that V. georgiana must be assigned to Ruffojassa, Ventojassa sp. nov. would be the unique species belonging to this genus recorded from South America.

FEEDING PREFERENCE OF THE MANGROVE CRAB Ucides cordatus (LINNAEUS, 1763) (CRUSTACEA, OCYPODIDAE) Christofoletti, R.A., Pinheiro, M.A.A. UNESP – Campus Experimental do Litoral Paulista – Praça Infante Dom Henrique, s/n, CEP 11330900, São Vicente, São Paulo State, Brazil. E-mail: [email protected].

The feeding preference of the mangrove crab Ucides cordatus to the principal mangrove specie leaves (Avicennia schaueriana, Laguncularia racemosa and Rhizophora mangle) and their maturation stage (mature, senescent after and before maturation) was evaluated by leaf frequency choices and ingested amount. The field experiments were carried out in three areas with different mangrove composition and natural availability of leaf litter. In laboratory, crabs were kept in box recipients and leaves were put inside the recipients every 24 hour (in a total of 72 hours). In the field, there were no preferences to leaf species or maturation stage. A greater amount of leaves were carried to burrows in areas with low natural availability of leaf litter. The experiments in laboratory showed no leaf selection at the first 24h, and after this time, leaves were selected by maturation stage (rejection of senescent and that with high polyphenolics concentration) until the 48h. Afterwards, there was a more frequent selection of A. schaueriana and L. racemosa leaves (mature and decomposition stages). No interactions between food selection, sex or crab maturity could be found. However, juvenile and females demonstrated a greater frequency of leaf ingestion, which could be related to metabolic differences verified in their life stages. Fellowship FAPESP (02/11580-3).

72 Coquimbo - Chile 14- 17 October 2007 POSTER CONTRIBUTIONS

THE USE OF DISCRIMINANT ANALYSIS AND CLASSIFICATION TREES TO EVALUATE A POPULATION OF Potimirim sp.: A SEQUENTIAL HERMAPHRODITE? Alonso-Reyes, P.1, Bortolini-Rosales, J. L.2, Alvarez, F.3 1 Departamento de Matemáticas, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, México 04510, D.F., México; 2 Departamento de Biología Comparada, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, México 04510, D.F., México; 3 Colección Nacional de Crustáceos, Instituto de Biología, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Apartado Postal 70-153, México 04510, D.F., México. E-mail: [email protected]

Classifying organisms is a difficult task when there are several morphometries of the same organism. Multivariate analysis with its several different techniques can be used to solve such problems; in this study we present the use of two techniques: discriminant analysis and classification trees. The discriminant analysis technique uses a series of variables to classify an organism in one, and only one, group. The classification of an organism into one or another group is achieved by introducing a categorical variable with as many values as the number of groups. The information of the classifying variables is summarized in the discriminant functions which are explicative and predictive. The classification trees technique generates population subgroups with a discriminant variable which is a better predictor than an a priori set variables to define the subgroups. In Mexico two species of the atyid shrimp Potimirim occur on both continental slopes. Several population studies indicate that males are always smaller than females and the sizes ranges have a small overlap. Small females have not been collected so far, suggesting that they exhibit sequential hermaphroditism. Through the use of the described multivariate techniques we analyzed data sets to test if individuals could be correctly classified by sex according to several morphometric variables. Results indicate that males and females can be separated with a high probability of classifying them into the correct sex supporting the sequential hermaphroditism hypothesis. Although sequential hermaphroditism is not rare among the Crustacea, only one other species in the Atyidae has been shown to have this kind of sexual system.

THE DISTRIBUTION OF THE CRAYFISH Procambarus llamasi IN EXTREME ENVIRONMENTS IN THE YUCATAN PENINSULA Alvarez, F., Villalobos, J. L., Botello, A., Torres, E. Colección Nacional de Crustáceos, Instituto de Biología, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Apartado Postal 70-153, México 04510, D.F., México. E-mail: [email protected]

The crayfish Procambarus llamasi is one of the few freshwater decapods that have an ample distribution range in Mexico. Typically freshwater decapods are distributed in one or a few localities. The range of P. llamasi covers most of the Yucatan Peninsula and the eastern portion of the state of Campeche. Throughout this range it occurs in a variety of habitats with contrasting water conditions and hydrological regimes: freshwater and saline lakes, seasonal wetlands, coastal marshlands, streams and rivers, canals in agricultural fields, cenotes (sinkholes) and aguadas (ephemeral ponds). We have examined specimens from this variety of habitats and, except for a new species from Reserva de Sian Ka’an, Quintana Roo, the rest of the populations are up to now still the same species. The question that emerges is how P. llamasi can occupy this variety of habitats. Several answers are possible: a) there are unrecognized cryptic species, b) there is a high degree of local adaptation, c) populations differ in key ecological parameters. So far we have: conducted experiments on the repiration rate and osmorregulatory capacity of 3 populations that represent habitat extremes; obtained COI sequences of 10 populations that are representative of the complete geographic range of the species; and conducted a morphometric analysis. Preliminary results indicate: that there are significant differences in the physiological response to salinity between populations from brackish environments vs those from freshwaters; we have found 8 different haplotypes, two of them are widely distributed, with little correspondence with the geographic distribution pattern; and a significant amount of variation has been detected in total length, first pereopod length, and rostrum shape and length. Several possible interpretations of these results are discussed.

73 Coquimbo - Chile 14- 17 October 2007 POSTER CONTRIBUTIONS

THREE GAMMARID AMPHIPODS UTILIZING THE STIPE OF THE BROWN ALGA Undaria pinnatifida Aoki, M.N., Tsuchiya, Y., Sato, T., Shinagawa, H. Shimoda Marine Research Center, University of Tsukuba, 5-10-1 Shimoda, Shizuoka 415-0025, JAPAN. E-mail: m- [email protected]

The nest structure and ecological characteristics of three gammarid amphipods, which live in the stipe of the annual brown alga Undaria pinnatifida, were studied. The cultured population of the alga was maintained on a rope at 1-2 m depth in the central part of Oura Bay, Shimoda City from December 1993 to April 1994. The single stipe of Undaria pinnnatifida can be divided into two different parts. The upper part of the stipe elongates at the base of the thallus (= growing point) and erodes at the distal part - this upper part of the stipe renews within two months. On the other hand, the basal part of the stipe near the holdfast is surrounded by the sporophyll, grows little, does not erode and persists for more than four months. The nest of Najna consiliorum was always found on the upper thallus part of the stipe. This amphipod bores into the core of the stipe to make an envelope-like nest. Usually one individual was found per nest. The nest-forming activity of the species often broke the stipe in the middle and caused the distal part of the thallus to break off. Biancolina japonica bores a tunnel into the superficial part of the stipe of the thallus part. In the tunnel the species lives alone or in a temporal monogamous pair with a cohort of young (< 20 individuals). Ceinina japonica bores into the core of the stipe at the reproductive part of the alga and makes a tunnel. This species lives in a permanent monogamous pair with up to three cohorts of young (< 200 individuals). The nature of nests and the reproductive characteristics of the amphipods seem to be related to the spatio-temporal stability of the stipe of the alga as both food and nest for the amphipods.

COMPLETE LARVAL DEVELOPMENT OF THE CRAB Ilia nucleus (LINNAEUS, 1758) (DECAPODA, BRACHYURA, LEUCOSIIDAE) REARED UNDER LABORATORY CONDITIONS Bartilotti, C.1, González-Gordillo, J.I.2, dos Santos, A.1 1 Instituto Nacional de Investigação Agrária e Pescas, IPIMAR, Av. de Brasília, s/n. 1449-006 Lisboa, Portugal; 2 CACYTMAR - Universidad de Cádiz, Avd. República Saharaui, s/n. E-11510 Puerto Real (Cádiz), Spain E-mail: [email protected]

The complete larval development of Ilia nucleus (Linnaeus, 1758) reared under laboratory conditions was obtained. All the four zoeal stages and the megalopa are described and illustrated in detail. The morphological characters of larval stages of I. nucleus are compared with previous descriptions, and with those of other known larvae of Leucosiidae (subfamilies Philyrinae, Leucosiinae, and Ebaliinae). The larval features observed in I. nucleus fit into the characteristics of the family.

74 Coquimbo - Chile 14- 17 October 2007 POSTER CONTRIBUTIONS

NATURAL DIET OF Neohelice granulata (DANA, 1851) (BRACHYURA, VARUNIDAE) IN TWO SALT MARSHES OF LAGOA DOS PATOS, RS, BRAZIL Barutot, R.A., Fonseca, D.B., D’Incao, F. Fundação Universidade Federal de Rio Grande – Departamento de Oceanografia – Av. Itália Km 08, CP 474 – CEP 96201 900 - Rio Grande – RS, Brasil. E-mail: [email protected]

Neohelice granulata is the dominant crab on salt marshes of Lagoa dos Patos and it has an important participation in the local food chain. Two salt marshes (Ilha Marinheiros, 31º58’996S; Molhe Oeste, 32º09’011S) in the lagoon were studied. Sampling was performed monthly in both sites, and crabs were captured by hand by three persons during one hour. Data analysis was carried out seasonally, and four months were selected to represent each season (Octobre/2003, April/2004, July/2004, January/2005, for spring, autumn, winter and summer, respectively). Individuals caught were immediately fixed in formaldehyde 4% during 24 hours to stop the digestion, and subsequently transferred to alcohol 70%. Each foregut was weighted, and repletion level was visually determined according to an arbitrary scale. Contents of each foregut was diluted in 1ml alcohol, stained with Rose Bengal and left in an eppendorf for further 24 h. For quantification of the food itens (frequency of occurrence), diluted contents were poored in a counting chamber (Sedgewick Rafter). Differences between sexes in the frequencies of occurrence of consumed items were tested by chi-square test. Quali-quantitative analyzes were calculated following the method of relative frequency occurrence and relative frequency of the points. In both sites, for both sexes and in all seasons, the main food items were sediment, Spartina sp. and plant debris, followed by animal debris. Less important items were clams (found only in spring) and unidentified debris. Analyzing both salt marshes, in different seasons it was not observed significant shifts in the natural diet of Neohelice granulata throughout the period of study.

DEVELOPMENT STAGES OF THE GONADS OF FEMALE CRABS, Cardisoma guanhumi LATREILLE, 1825 Batista-Leite, L.M.A., Barreto, A.V. Oceanographic Dep. UFPE, University City, Recife, PE, Brazil. E-mail: [email protected]

We characterize the development stages of ovaries of female crabs, Cardisoma guanhumi Latreille 1825, through macroscopic observations. The crabs were sampled monthly (October/ 2003 to September/2004) using traps. A total of 657 female crabs were collected from the estuary of Rio Goiana, Pernambuco, Brazil. The carapace was cut to allow evaluation of the gonads. The macroscopic observations included change in color, size, and diameter. This allowed for the classification of the crab gonads into five development stages: I-immature stage (the ovaries are translucent and of difficult to visualize); II-initial maturation stage (the gonads are yellowish white, occupying little space in relation to the hepatopancreas); III-intermediary maturation stage (the ovaries are strongly yellow, even mustard-colored, and with a larger diameter); IV-ripe stage (the gonads are dark brown or almost black and very thick, consistent, voluminous, and they cover the whole hepatopancrea); V-spawning stage (the ovaries are flaccid, emptied, and yellow with residues of oocytes of brown pigmentation). In conclusion, the macroscopic observations of the ovaries provided a good qualitative indicator of the development stages of Cardisoma guanhumi.

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SPERMATOZOAL ULTRASTRUCTURE IN THREE SPECIES OF THE GENUS Uca LEACH, 1814 (CRUSTACEA, BRACHYURA, OCYPODIDAE) Benetti, A.S.1; Santos, D.C. 2; Negreiros-Fransozo, M.L.1, Scelzo, M.A.3 1 Depto Zoologia – NEBECC, IB, UNESP, Campus de Botucatu/SP. Rubião Júnior s/n, 18600-000, Botucatu, SP, Brasil; 2 Depto Morfologia, IB, UNESP, Campus de Botucatu/SP. Rubião Júnior s/n, 18600-000, Botucatu, SP, Brasil; 3 Depto Ciencias Marinas, Universidad Nacional de Mar Del Plata/CONICET, Mar Del Plata, Argentina. E-mail: [email protected]

Morphological aspects of spermatozoa in marine animals have been used in recent decades as phylogenetic criteria (spermiotaxonomy). This paper presents ultrastructural descriptions of the spermatozoa from Uca maracoani, U. thayeri, and U. vocator. A terminal small portion of the vas deferens of each species was examined under the transmission and scanning electron microscopy. The ultrastructural analysis showed that each spermatophore consists of a varying number of spermatozoa embedded in a dense fibrillar matrix surrounded by a membrane. The spermatozoa of U. maracoani, U. thayeri, and U. vocator are typical of brachyurans. The voluminous acrosome is characterized by three different layers. The postero- lateral surface of the acrosome is cupped by the reduced cytoplasm, and the anterior surface is covered by the operculum. The perforatorium consists of coiled, helicoidal membranous tubules and is continuous with the cytoplasm. The nucleus is composed by uncondensed chromatin and presents several lateral arms distributed over the entire equatorial plane of the cell. The presence of the apical button is a well defined character among all species of the genus Uca, but in U. thayeri it was not observed. The accessory opercular ring can be found in the three studied species, but in distinct development degree. Two centrioles were detected in U. thayeri and U. vocator, but only one was found in U. maracoani. The presence of centrioles in the mature spermatozoa is the first account for the genus Uca up to date. Considering the ultrastructure of the spermatozoa of U. maracoani, U. thayeri, and U. vocator, we suggest that these three species partially follow the morphological patterns previously described in other Thoracotremata brachyurans. The absence of the apical button in U. thayeri spermatozoa may represent an evolutionary novelty in the genus Uca. Financial support: CNPq/#141730/03-0 and CNPq/Prosul#490208/2005

ENVIRONMENTAL FACTORS INFLUENCING REPRODUCTION IN ARTEMIA FROM THE GREAT SALT LAKE Berthélémy-Okazaki, N.J.1, Ye, W.2, Okazaki, R.K.1 1Department of Zoology, Weber State University, Ogden, Utah 84408-2505, USA; 2 Department of Biology, Shanghai Teachers University, Shanghai, People’s Republic of China. E-mail: [email protected]

Environmental factors influencing cyst formation in the brine shrimp Artemia from the Great Salt Lake (GSL) are not completely understood. Objectives of this study were to 1) assess effects of salinity, temperature, photoperiod, dietary amount, and brood order on oviparity in the GSL Artemia raised under laboratory conditions; 2) test effects of starvation and temperature on brood type and size and maturation time; and 3) compare laboratory results to field data. Oviparity was minimally affected by salinity and temperature. Oviparity remained frequently around 50% throughout the 3 to 13% salinity and the 18 to 30oC temperature ranges. Photoperiod played an important role in modulating oviparity. Eighty four percent of females were oviparous under short day-light cycle while only 24% produced cyst under constant light. None of the three possible interactions between the factors (salinity x temperature, salinity x photoperiod and photoperiod x temperature) were significant in the combined experiments. The oviparity rate consistently increased with the brood order. Starvation did not induce oviparity as 100% of the surviving shrimp produced larval broods. Brood size and maturation time were affected by temperature and food ration. The largest broods were around 32-34 eggs per broods, under 23oC. The brood size decreased to 15 and 24 eggs at 30oC and 18oC, respectively. Brood size was significantly smaller (35 versus 26 eggs) in starving shrimp. Maturation time was greatly affected by temperatures and food ration. Maturation time varied from 37 to 50 days at 18oC, and from 19 to 25 days at 30oC. Starvation significantly lengthened maturation time, from 17 days in the well-fed shrimp to 28 days in starving shrimp. Seasonal conditions, such as warm water temperature and short day-light cycles, rather than overgrazing, are likely responsible for the switch from ovoviviparity to oviparity.

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SPECIES DIVERSITY OF THE BRACHYURAN COMMUNITIES OF SOFT BOTTOMS OFF THE NORTHERN COAST OF SÃO PAULO STATE, BRAZIL Bertini, G.1, Fransozo, A.2 NEBECC (Group of Studies on Crustacean Biology, Ecology and Culture); 1 UNESP – Unidade de Registro – Rua Tamekichi Takano, 5. CEP 11900-000 - Registro, São Paulo, Brazil; 2 Departamento de Zoologia, Instituto de Biociências, UNESP, Botucatu, C.P. 510 CEP 18.618-000 São Paulo, Brazil. E-mail: [email protected]

The present investigation examined the communities of brachyuran crabs off the northern coast of São Paulo State, analyzing the numbers of species and individuals, and diversity. The crabs were collected monthly in Ubatumirim, Ubatuba, and Mar Virado bays in the Ubatuba region, for two years (1998 and 1999). In each bay, six tows were made from a fishing boat: two tows perpendicular to the line of the beach, and four tows along the 5, 10, 15, and 20 meter isobaths. A total of 39,820 individuals, representing 8 superfamilies, 39 genera, and 65 species of brachyurans was obtained. The highest numbers of individuals and species were found in Ubatuba Bay, followed by Ubatumirim and Mar Virado. The highest diversity index was estimated for Ubatumirim (H’ = 2.44), followed by Ubatuba (H’ = 2.37) and Mar Virado (H’ = 1.86). In general, the coastal region supported high numbers of individuals and species, with high diversity indices, probably because of its more heterogeneous substrate that may afford more refuges for certain species. Financial support: FAPESP (Proc. 97/12106-8)

INFLUENCE OF GEOGRAPHIC BARRIERS IN THE GENETIC STRUCTURE OF Aegla uruguayana Schmitt, 1942 (DECAPODA, ANOMURA) POPULATIONS Bitencourt, J.V.T., Machado, S., Santos, S., Bartholomei-Santos, M.L. Laboratório de Diversidade Genética, Departamento de Biologia e Programa de Pós-graduação em Biodiversidade Animal – CCNE – Universidade Federal de Santa Maria. Avenida Roraima, 1000. Santa Maria – RS. 97105-900. Brazil. E-mail: [email protected]

Millions of years ago many species had their populations isolated by geographic barriers, during the formation of the drainage systems of South America Rivers. Modifications in relief lead to the actual formation of the hydrographic basins from Rio Grande do Sul state. Since these basins do not have connection among them, species widely distributed, as Aegla uruguayana Schmitt, 1942, may have their genetic variability being influenced by the watersheds which do not allow gene flow to occur. The aim of this study was to verify the influence of geographic barriers to the genetic structure of different populations of A. uruguayana. The migration patterns of heteroduplex DNA were used to analyze two populations of A. uruguayana from two hydrographic regions of the state (East and West). A significant number of haplotypes was observed in each population, 29 different patterns in 32 individuals, reflecting a high proportion of intrapopulation diversity in AMOVA (49,38%). The geographic barriers seem to be influencing the genetic differentiation of A. uruguayana populations, at least among the populations from Rivers Santa Maria, Ibirapuitã and Camaquã, which had FST values calculated. For the other populations it is necessary to analyze a greater number of individuals, what will make easier the verification of the genetic structure. The utilization of an ultra sensitive molecular marker, such as the microsatellites, will allow a more refined analysis about this question. Fomentation agency: Capes

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Exhippolysmata oplophoroides (ALPHEOIDEA, HIPPOLYTIDAE): A NEW SPECIES OF PROTANDRIC SIMULTANEOUS HERMAPHRODITISM SPECIES OF CARIDEAN SHRIMPS Braga, A.A.1, López Greco, L.S.2, Santos, D.C.3, Fransozo, A.1 1 NEBECC (Crustacean Biology, Ecology and Culture Study Group), Depto Zoologia de Biociências, UNESP, 18618-000 Botucatu, SP, Brasil; 2 Depto of Biodiversity and Experimental Biology, FCEN, University of Buenos Aires, Cidad. Univ. C1428EHA, Buenos Aires, Argentina. CONICEP; 3 Depto. Morfologia, Instituto de Biociências, UNESP. E-mail: [email protected]

This study aimed to analyze and describe the primary and secondary sexual characteristics of Exhippolysmata oplophoroides by macro and microscopical levels, emphasizing the morphology of the gonads to determine the sexual standard of this species. The shrimps had been collected, during the period of june/2005 to may/2006, in the region of Ubatuba, São Paulo, Brazil. A total of 487 individuals was examined. The gonads were dissected from individuals with different sizes and were submitted to a rotine procedure for historresin inclusion and the sections were stained with Hematoxilin and eosin technique. The sections were analyzed and it was verified that that all individuals that were examined had gonad ovotestis, oviduct, ejaculatory ducts and gonopores on the coxae of the fifth pereopods, being the genital opening of the female was only registered in the shrimps above of 6.0 mm of LC. Furthermore, it was observed that all smaller individuals with up to 8.5 mm of carapace length (LC) possessed characters typical of shrimps males, including male gonopores, appendices masculinae well developed with spines and ejaculatory ducts. However, the gonad of these male-phase (MP) individuals was an ovotestis with an undeveloped ovarian portion. Simultaneous hermaphrodite phase (HP) which spawn eggs and incubate embryos, also had gonopores and an ovotestis terminating in ejaculatory ducts containing sperm. In general way, on the basis of these characteristics and in the morphological and histological analyses of the gonad ones, in which it was possible to verify the mature presence of spermatozoa and vitellogenic oocytes in the gonad one of one same individual of E. oplophoroides, it can be inferred that this species presents a protandric simultaneous hermaphroditism type with one short male phase (<6.0 mm of LC) and a phase of simultaneous hermaphrodite from 6.0 mm of LC. Financial support: CAPES; FAPESP

MORPHOMETRIC STUDY OF SEXUAL CHARACTERS OF Exhippolysmata oplophoroides (CARIDEA, HIPPOLYTIDAE) FROM UBATUBA, SÃO PAULO, BRAZIL Braga, A.A.1, Fransozo, A.1, Bertini, G.1,2 1 NEBECC (Crustacean Biology, Ecology and Culture Study Group), Depto Zoologia de Biociências, UNESP, 18618-000 Botucatu, SP, Brasil; 2 UNESP – Unidade de Registro – Rua Tamekichi Takano, 5. CEP 11900-000 - Registro, São Paulo, Brasil. E-mail: [email protected]

The present study analyzed the sexual characters of Exhippolysmata oplophoroides to detect the morphological changes that occur during the ontogeny in the individuals of different sizes through allometry methods. Shrimps were collected in the region of Ubatuba, São Paulo, Brazil. In total, 333 individuals were examined. The measurements included: carapace length (CL), endopod of pleopod 1 length (ENDL), pleura abdominal length (PAL), appendix interna length (AIL) and appendix masculina length (AML). The allometric model y = a.xb with transformation of data to natural logarithms was used in regressions. The shrimps were classified in two phases: male (MP) and hermaphrodite (HP). All the individuals of the male phase had male gonopores and masculina appendix developed and setose. The individuals of the hermaphrodite phase had the masculina appendix reduced, with few or without spines and expanded abdominal pleura. Moreover, it was verified that all the individuals that were examined had gonopores on the coxae of the fifth pereopods and sperm in the terminal ampulla. The carapace length ranged from 3.7 to 8.8 mm in the MP and from 7.3 to 16.3 mm in the HP. It was observed that relationships ENDL versus CL; PAL versus CL and AIL versus CL showed isometry in the male phase and positive allometry in the hermaphrodite phase. The regression AML versus CL demonstrated isometry in the male phase and eniantometry in the hermaphrodite phase. Thus, according to the results was possible to observe that the smaller individuals than 8.5 mm of CL possessed characters typical of caridean male and then, with increasing age and size they had started to get feminine characteristics. This way it is inferred that E. oplophoroides act first as male and in the hermaphrodite phase, probably, it presents the capacity to act as female as male in the population. Financial support: CAPES; FAPESP

78 Coquimbo - Chile 14- 17 October 2007 POSTER CONTRIBUTIONS

EFFECT OF SIZE ON SPERM PRODUCTION IN THE FRESHWATER CRAYFISH “REDCLAW” Cherax quadricarinatus (PARASTACIDAE) Bugnot, A.B.1, López Greco, L.S.1,2 1 Dept. of Biodiversity and Experimental Biology, FCEN, University of Buenos Aires, Cdad. Univ. C1428EHA, Buenos Aires, Argentina; 2 CONICET. E-mail: [email protected]

Sperm production is one of the aspects scarcely known in the majority of Decapoda although it has been shown in the few studied species that this parameter could affect the reproductive out of females by “sperm limitation”. Due to the absence of any knowledge about this aspect in C. quadricarinatus this study was aimed at studying the effect of male size on sperm production. Males of 8.55-270.64g (n=84) were purchased from a local farm, and once in the laboratory they were measured (maximum carapace length, maximum post-orbital length) and their reproductive systems were dissected. For each distal vas deferens one piece of 1cm in length (equivalent to the length of the spermatophore transferred to the female during mating) was disaggregated in saline solution and spermatozoa were counted in a Neubauer camera. The remaining tissue was processed for histological analysis. For determining spermatozoa viability vital dye exclusion was used. The sperm production of C. quadricarinatus is related to size, being within the range 107-109 spermatozoa/ml. The sperm viability does not depend on size being greater than 98.5% in all cases. According to these results the sperm production would not be a limiting factor during mating since egg production is 300-1000 eggs/spawn. Although the presence of spermatozoa indicates sexual maturity, the macroscopic and microscopic analysis of the vas deferens demonstrate that males smaller than 40 g produce a more liquid and less sticky spermatophore than greater males. Being the adhesiveness of the spermatophore to the female sternum the main feature to assure fertilization and avoid spermatophore displacement, these results demonstrate that the functional maturity of males is acquired at nearly 40 g, although sperm production starts earlier. Financial support: ANPCYT (PICT 2004-953), UBACYT 2004-2007 (project X143), Antorchas Foundation (project 4248- 138), and CONICET (1106/2004).

A NEW Rhacodiaptomus SPECIES KIEFER, 1936 (CRUSTACEA: COPEPODA: CALANOIDA) FROM THE BRAZILIAN AMAZON Calixto, L.S.F., Santos-Silva, E.N. Laboratório de Plâncton, Coordenação de Pesquisas em Biologia Aquática, Instituto Nacional de Pesquisas da Amazônia, 2936, Aleixo, Manaus, Amazonas, Brasil. E-mail: [email protected]

The genus Rhacodiaptomus comprised seven recognized species endemic to “black” and “clear” water of Amazon basin. Samples from Igarapé Cachoeira, a black water tributary of Tupé Lake, Negro River basin, 25 km upstream from Manaus, Brazil, revealed a new species of Rhacodiaptomus. The species this genus share the following characters: (1) the peculiar construction of males right leg 5; (2) the long, finger-like, at the end hook- or beak-like process of males penultimate segments of right antennule; (3) the lobate construction of females genital segment; (4) Males coxa of right leg 5 with a long process reaching over basis (apex of process not acute but more or less planar with an acute spine); (5) Males basis of right leg 5 has on its inner border a mostly semicircular hyaline lamella; (6) Males basis of right leg 5 have more or less lobated process which reaches over the next segment; (7) Spines on segments 10 and 11 of males right antennule are relatively long and perpendicular; (8) Penultimate segment of males right antennule with a long process reaching to the end of the next segment or even longer, its end bend; (9) Right wing of males pediger somite is produced more posterior than left side; (10) Females genital segment always very big and proximal dilated; (11) Females exopodite of leg 5 has no spine. The new species differs from others by the following autapomorphies: (1) Right side of females genital segment expanded into a laterally and posteriorly produced and rectangular bend, cone-shaped process with a stout spine at the tip (it does not reach the end of urossome); (2) Females basis of leg 5 with a small expansion in the internal margin; (3) Males basis of right leg 5 with a large process stick-shape postero-laterally directed.

79 Coquimbo - Chile 14- 17 October 2007 POSTER CONTRIBUTIONS

SIZE AT FIRST MATURITY OF SEABOB SHRIMP Xiphopenaeus kroyeri (Heller 1862) IN TIJUCAS BAY, TIJUCAS, SC, BRAZIL Campos, B.R., D’Incao, F., Dumont, L.F. Fundação Universidade Federal de Rio Grande, Campus Carreiros, FURG, Rio Grande, Rio Grande do Sul, Brasil. E-mail: [email protected]

Artisanal fishery in Tijucas Bay (SC) started 200 years ago. Since then, several fishery communities have been established in the area. No official data on numbers of fishermen, boats nor value and production landed are available to date. However, the social and economic importance of this activity to local community is noteworthy. Due to marked importance of this fishery and the need of stock assessment, the aim of this investigation was to estimate size at first maturity of seabob shrimp collected from Tijucas Bay fishery for shrimps. Seabob shrimp belongs to superfamily Penaeoidea and Penaeid family; inhabiting shallow marine waters from North Carolina (USA) to Rio Grande do Sul (Brazil). Monthly samples were obtained from artisanal fishery during 2005, by using two otter trawl nets, with 3.0 cm of mesh size in wings and 2.0 cm in the codend. Tows were performed at speed of 2 knots. To describe size structure of females, total length was recorded. Knowledge of size at first maturity is vital for exploited stock management, since it provides the minimum legal size for catches and consequently determining the adequate mesh size for the fishery. Mean size at first maturity (LM50) estimated for females was 88 mm (total length) and size at which 100% of females were mature is 108 mm. The coefficient o determination estimated was 0.98 (R2). Analysis of length data permits to conclude that artisanal fishery in Tijucas catches mostly juveniles, except during June, October and November. Recruitment peaks for this species takes place mainly in January and May, in spite of a small peak in August.

SETTLEMENT PATTERNS OF Cancer edwardsi MEGALOPAE AT A NORTH PATAGONIAN ESTUARY Cardyn, C., Pardo, L.M. Universidad Austral de Chile, Instituto de Biologia Marina, Laboratorio Costero Calfuco. Valdivia, CHILE. E-mail: [email protected]

Settlement is a key process for marine benthic animals with meroplanktonic development as it determines juvenile abundance and therefore further denso-dependence strength of recruit interactions. High variability in settlement has been normally found in both spatial and temporal scales. Processes involved in generating patchiness patterns of settlers distribution could be related to 1) availability of suitable habitats to settle and substrate selection by megalopae 2) variation in predation pressures on megalopae, 3) oceanographic and climatic factors influencing the arrival of competent larvae. At the Bahía de Corral, an estuarine bay at the south of Chile, previous research has detected high densities of early juveniles of Cancer edwardsi in restricted sites within the estuary. In this study, we explore if site-specific abundance patterns of juveniles could be explained by settlement rates. To test this hypothesis, 40 passive collectors were installed at a depth of 5-10 m in three sites within of Valdivia’s estuary during November and December 2006. To asses the relative importance of substrate type, theses collectors were installed with the same natural substrate (coarse sand) in three sites, additionally in one site, we performed an experiment with natural and artificial substrates to evaluate preferences of megalopae. To assess the influences of predation pressure on crab settlement rates, half of the collectors were covered with a 5 mm mesh to exclude large predators. To evaluate possible influences of wind and tide amplitude in megalopae supply, collectors were installed during a lunar cycle (1 week sparse with a rest time of 2 days) and wind direction and velocity was recorded. Site and time-specific settlement rate was highly variable. Sites on the estuary mouth recorded higher settlement rates regardless the exclusion of predators and in all sites but one, settlement rates were greater on high amplitude tides. Thus, at the Valdivia estuary, patterns of settlement of Cancer edwardsi megalopae seem to follow an estuarine gradient linked to tide amplitude rhythm. Given the characteristic of sites localized in the mouth of estuary (i.e. high larval supply, high abundance of juveniles and low predation pressures) they could be considered nursery areas for C. edwardsi. Taking into account, the great importance of this species for artisanal fishers, Valdivia estuary mouth should be considered in future planning related to marine conservation. Financial support IFS and DID Austral.

80 Coquimbo - Chile 14- 17 October 2007 POSTER CONTRIBUTIONS

REPRODUCTIVE ASPECTS OF THE FRESHWATER PRAWNS Pseudopalaemon bouvieri IN DEL PLATA SYSTEM Carnevali, R. 1, Collins, P.2 1 FACENA-UNNE. Av. Libertad 5500, CECOAL-CONICET Ruta 5, km. 2,5 (3400).Corrientes, Argentina; 2 Instituto Nacional de Limnología (INALI-CONICET-UNL), José Macia 1933, 3016 Santo Tomé, Santa Fe, Argentina. Fac.Bioq.yCs.Biol. UNL, Fac.Cs.yTec UADER. E-mail: [email protected]

The freshwater environments are considered unstable and with less dissolved salts than the marine systems. These conditions, among others, caused some adjustments in the physiology and biology of the organisms. The reproductive strategies and their biology played an important role so that the populations are developed successfully. The aim of the work is to identify some aspects of the biology and ecology reproductive of the freshwater prawns Pseudopalaemon bouvieri that the conquest of the freswater environments allowed. Populations of P. bouvieri of different sites of Paraná and Uruguay Rivers were sampled with bottom net (1 mm of mesh). The captured prawns were measured the cefalothorax length and determined sex. The measurement was made with a calliper under stereoscopic microscope. Also it was determined wet weight of each prawn and the gonads, then it was determined the gonadosomatic index. Ovigerous females were identified and their eggs were counted. The egg size was digitized and measured with tpsDig. The data were evaluated statistically with variance analysis. Ovígerous females and ovaric maturation were observed in individual with 8 mm CL. The gonadosomatic index have a mean value of 0,99 ± 0,007 g increasing significantly with the female size like the eggs number. These oscillated between 11 and 79 with mean values of 39 ± 23.5 eggs. The eggs had a size means of 2,7 ± 0,67 mm in their distales polos. The completely abbreviated development of P. bouvieri characterized by great eggs and few presents characteristics similar to other species such as (P. amazoniensis) and several species of Macrobrachium.

REPRODUCTIVE DYNAMICS OF ROCK SHRIMPS, Sicyonia dorsalis AND S. typica (PENAEOIDEA: SICYONIIDAE), FROM THE SOUTHEASTERN COAST OF BRAZIL Castilho, A.L. 1, Furlan, M.1; Costa, R.C.2, Fransozo, A.1 NEBECC (Crustacean Biology, Ecology and Culture Study Group). 1 Depto de Zoologia, IB, Universidade Estadual Paulista - UNESP, 18618-000 Botucatu, SP, Brasil; 2 Depto de Biologia, FC, UNESP, 81531-980, Bauru, SP, Brasil. E-mail: [email protected].

Rock shrimps are not commercially exploited in Brazil, but it has a critical link in marine food chains by converting detritus food sources into microorganism biomass that is available for higher trophic levels. Sexual maturity, temporal reproductive pattern, and recruitment of juveniles were examined for Sicyonia dorsalis and S. typica sampled monthly during 5.5 years (Jan1998-Jun2003) in the Ubatuba, Caraguatatuba and São Sebastião regions, southeastern coast of Brazil (23º S), at depths of 5 to 45 m. Estimated sizes (carapace length) at the onset of sexual maturity were 6.3 (male) and 8.9 mm (female) for S. dorsalis and 10.1 (male) and 11.7 mm (female) for S. typica. In general, females with ripe gonads were found in all seasons with peaks mainly in spring-summer. However, the highest spawning of S. dorsalis was observed in December to February and of S. typica in November, March and April (early autumn). The juveniles shrimps occurred all year-round in a both species with a major peak in autumn (April for S. dorsalis and April-May for S. typica), suggesting a subsequent recruitment of the spring-summer spawning (effective spawning). The breeding patterns of the rock shrimps are qualitatively concordant with the annual patterns of phytoplankton-zooplankton (larval food) abundances reported in studies carried out from the southeastern coast of Brazil. Our results suggest that this food availability for larvae may be an important selective factor shaping the reproductive dynamics for these species. The classical paradigm of continuous reproduction at lower latitudes, with increased seasonality of breeding period at higher latitudes, seems to be followed by this species. Financial support: CAPES, FAPESP

81 Coquimbo - Chile 14- 17 October 2007 POSTER CONTRIBUTIONS

Colobomatus tenuis n. sp. (COPEPODA: PHYLICHTYIDAE) A PARASITE OF Scartichthys SPECIES (BLENNIDAE) AND Auchenionchus variolosus (LABRISOMIDAE) (PISCES: PERCIFORMES) IN CHILEAN WATERS Castro Romero, R.1, Muñoz, G. 2 1 Universidad de Antofagasta, Depto. Acuicultura, Casilla 170. Antofagasta, Chile, e-mail: [email protected]; 2 Gabriela Muñoz. Facultad de Ciencias del Mar y de Recursos Naturales, Universidad de Valparaíso. Casilla 5080, Reñaca, Viña del Mar, Chile. E-mail: [email protected]

Colobomatus tenuis n. sp. parasitic copepod on Scartichthys viridis Stepien, 1990 from Antofagasta and Valparaíso, and Scartichtys gigas Williams,1990 and Auchenionchus variolosus Gill, 1980 from Antofagasta is described and illustrated. The new species share with only three species of the genus (C. mylionus, C. sewelli and C. sciaenae) the presence of three simple cephalic processes, but can be differentiated from all of them by the head shape, the trunk processes shape specially the bifid posterior thoracic processes, simple in the others three. Also the male can be easily differentiated from all those species previously described in the genus by the size and shape of the uropods, which are longer than the last abdominal segment in the new species. The female buccal appendages enclose the first maxilla, second maxilla and maxilliped.The mandible no detected. All of them enclosed in a siphon like structure probable conformed by the labrum (anterior divided plate) and the labium as in all the Colobomatus species. Some female were seen with a pair of egg sac attached to the genital pore and other pair detected in the canal, that means the old egg sac are released before the nauplius hatchs from the sac. The new species live in the preopercular canals of the fish.

PHYLOGENETIC IMPORTANCE OF THE LATTICE ORGANS AND FRONTLATERAL GLAND PORES IN CYPRIDS OF SEVEN SPECIES OF PEDUNCULATE BARNACLES Celis, A., Alvarez, F. Colección Nacional de Crustáceos, Instituto de Biología, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Apartado Postal 70-153, México 04510, D.F., México. E-mail: [email protected]

All species of cirripedes exhibit on the carapace of the cyprid larva five dorsal pairs of structures with sensory functions known as the lattice organs, and one pair of anterio-ventral pores known as the frontolateral gland pores. These structures provide phylogenetic information and have been used to infer the monophyly of the subclass. For this study, micrographs obtained with a scanning electron microscope were used to describe the lattice organs and frontolateral gland pores of 7 species of pedunculate barnacles belonging to two suborders of the Thoracica Pedunculata: Heteralepadomorpha (family Heteralepadidae: Heteralepas sp. 1 and sp. 2) and Lepadomorpha (families Poecilasmatidae: Poecilasma inaequilaterale and Octolasmis aymonini geryonophila; and Lepadidae: Lepas pacifica, Dosima fascicularis and Conchoderma virgatum). The frontolateral gland pores showed little variation among species, however, they can be useful to discriminate among species when used in combination with other larval characters. The lattice organs found in all the studied species correspond to the Type C of Jensen et al. (1994). This is the most advanced type and consists of an elongate pore field lying within a shallow depression surrounded by a band of smooth cuticle. The pattern they display is the typical 2 anterior and 3 posterior pairs. Starting with a plesiomorphic pattern where all pairs are aligned parallel to the hinge line in the Facetotecta/Ascothoracida, a variety of patterns have been described. We show in this study that a greater degree of variation exists in the lattice organs patterns of this group than previous studies have indicated.

82 Coquimbo - Chile 14- 17 October 2007 POSTER CONTRIBUTIONS

ENERGETIC RESERVES AND GROWTH OF ADVANCED JUVENILES OF THE FRESHWATER CRAYFISH Cherax quadricarinatus, FED ON AN ECDYSONE-ENRICHED DIET Chaulet, A., Cahansky, A.V., Viau, V.E., Gutiérrez, M.L., Turcato Oliveira, G., Rodríguez, E.M. Dept. of Biodiversity and Experimental Biology FCEyN, University of Buenos Aires. Ciudad Universitaria, Pab. II, C1428EHA Buenos Aires, Argentina. E-mail: [email protected]

Ten advanced juveniles of the crayfish C. quadricarinatus (1.00 ± 0.30 g of body weight) were fed for 4 months on each of two diets, i.e., K: krill flour (with Tetra Pond® in a 6:4 proportion, final protein percentage: 48.2 %), and KE: same diet as K, but with α-ecdysone (Sigma Co.) added at a dose of 3.33x10-9 mol/g of food. Each animal was isolated in a glass recipient, with dechlorinated fresh water. Each experimental group was fed three times a week on the corresponding diet. Since suministered food represented 3% of juvenile biomass, the dose of ecdysone received by juveniles treated with this hormone was 10-10 mol /g of body weight, in every feeding session. As a complement, the remaining days of the weeks all animals were fed on Tetra Diskus® and fresh leaves of Elodea sp. A temperature of 26 ± 1 ºC, and a photoperiod of 14:10 (L: D) were maintained throughout. Animals were weighed every 2 weeks. At the end of the assay, a sample of hemolymph was withdrawn from each animal and the hepatopancreas was dissected for further analysis of energetic reserves. Glucose and glycogen were measured by means of an enzymatic kit (Labtest); proteins were measured according to Lowry method, while total lipids and cholesterol were determined through the Folch´s method. KE group showed significant (p<0.05) lower levels of both total lipids and cholesterol in hemolymph than the other group. Besides, increased levels of both proteins and glycogen were observed in the hepatopancreas of the KE group that also showed a higher weight gain than K group. No differences in molting frequency were noted between experimental groups. Taken together, these preliminary results are suggesting that an anabolic effect of the ecdysone could be taking place during the intermolt period of juvenile crayfish.

REDESCRIPTION OF Fuegiphoxus uncinatus (CHEVREUX, 1912) (AMPHIPODA: GAMMARIDEA: PHOXOCEPHALIDAE) Chiesa, I.L.1, 2, Alonso, G.M.1 1 Museo Argentino de Ciencias Naturales “Bernardino Rivadavia”, División Invertebrados. Av. Ángel Gallardo 470, Buenos Aires, Argentina; 2 Laboratorio de Artrópodos, Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales, Universidad de Buenos Aires, Ciudad Universitaria, Buenos Aires, Argentina. E-mail: [email protected]

The genus Fuegiphoxus Barnard & Barnard, 1980 is constituted by four species: F. uncinatus, F. abjectus, F. fuegiensis and F. inutilus. The species Fuegiphoxus uncinatus was provisionally assigned to Fuegiphoxus by Barnard & Barnard (1980), since this species was figured by Chevreux (1912) without fine details. Fuegiphoxus is distributed in the Magellan region, Antarctic and sub-Antarctic waters; F. uncinatus is present in the Magellan region (Magellan Straits, Beagle Channel, Brecknock Channel and Goree Pass), South Shetland Islands, Drake Passage, Palmer Archipelago and Weddell Sea. The type material of F. uncinatus was borrowed from the Muséum National d'Histoire Naturelle, Paris; all the appendages mounted in microscopic slides were drawn in detail using a microscope Carl Zeiss Axioskop equipped with a camera lucida. According to our observations, Fuegiphoxus uncinatus is characterized by: antenna 2 facial robust setae on article 4 in one main row, with additional proximal setae: formula 3-5-3; right lacinia mobilis bifid, subflabellate, left with four teeth; mandibular palp, article 1 short, article 2 without outer setae, apex with 6 setae; maxilliped, inner plate bearing 2 apical thick robust setae, 5 subapicofacial and 7 medial plumose setae, dactyl with nail medium length; uropod 1 peduncle with 7 basofacial setae, outer ramus with 3 and inner with 1 dorsal robust setae; uropod 2 peduncle with 11 dorsal robust setae, outer ramus with 2 dorsal robust setae, inner naked; rami of uropods 1 and 2 with immersed apical nails; telson bearing 3 apical robust setae. F. uncinatus belongs indeed to Fuegiphoxus; however, the genus must be redescribed adding the following morphological character states: inner plate of maxilliped bearing 1 or 2 apical thick robust setae, and telson with 2 or 3 apical robust setae on each lobe. This research was partially supported by the ANPCyT (PICT 02-11180) and the Argentine Scientific Council (CONICET).

83 Coquimbo - Chile 14- 17 October 2007 POSTER CONTRIBUTIONS

BIOERODING CRUSTACEANS IN A ROCKY CLIFF IN THE COLOMBIAN PACIFIC Cobo-Viveros, A.M., Cantera-Kintz, J.R., Lazarus-Agudelo, J.F. ECOMANGLARES. Universidad del Valle. Facultad de Ciencias. Edificio 320, cuarto piso, Biología Marina, Cali, Colombia. E-mail: [email protected]

Abundance and distribution of bioeroding crustaceans (grazers and borers) was studied in a rocky cliff in the Colombian Pacific. Six species of grazers and four of borers were found. In the grazer group, belonging to the order Decapoda, Pachygrapsus transversus was the most numerous (46%), followed by Ligia baudiniana (30%) and Eurypanopeus transversus (19%). P. transversus was found in all the heights of the cliff, differing from Goniopsis pulchra, Panopeus purpureus and Eurytium affine, which were less numerous and restricted to low heights. E. transversus was found until medium heights and L. baudiniana was only collected in the splash zone. The borer group was conformed by the orders Amphipoda (2 species) and Decapoda (2 species). The decapods Alpheus bouvieri and Upogebia tenuipollex were numerous (52% and 45% respectively), the anfipods Hyale sp. and Corophiidae sp.1 were rare. These species were restricted to the lower heights of the cliff, which remain more time submerged. The importance of the bioerosion process lies in that, along with others like waves, wind, sand abrasion, chemical wear down due to terrestrial lixiviates or water nutrients, causes a continuous retraction of the rocks in the lower parts of the cliffs. Bivalves and sipunculids have been recognized as important organisms in the process, weakening the rocks by chemical and mechanical means. In this work the crustacean role as bioeroders is highlighted; they weaken the rock by “chemical glands” (some Upogebia species), and by mechanical means using their chelae (alpheids and upogebids).

A NEW Branchinecta SPECIES (BRANCHIOPODA, ANOSTRACA) FROM TIERRA DEL FUEGO Cohen, R.G., Marinone, M.C. Departamento de Biodiversidad y Biología experimental, Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales, Universidad de Buenos Aires, Ciudad Universitaria, C1428EHA, Buenos Aires, ARGENTINA. E-mail: [email protected]

A new species of Branchinecta was found together with Branchinecta granulosa in a temporary pond beside Laguna de los Cisnes, 53°47'12''S, 67°46'55''W, Tierra del Fuego province (Argentina). Antennae of the male, main diagnostic feature of the genus, presenting in the basal article a pair of proximal antero-medial ear-like welts, beset with sensory setae and a pair of ornamented apophyses hanging postero-medially and bending abruptly in anterior direction up to the end in a round tip. Distally, the article projects into a lengthened crest, which declines distally, not reaching the end of the article. The crest is produced into a proximal strong blunt point, postero-medially directed. Crest surface with sparse sensory structures. Distal article strongly rotated, articulating almost perpendicular to the basal article. External border slightly curved up to the tip of the article and anterior (medially rotated) surface of the article slightly convex. The peculiar joint with the basal article and shape of the distal article are unique in the genus. Anterior surface of the article strikingly triangular, from its proximal joint up to the tip. Distally, the broadened article bends inwards forming a complex three-lobed tip. The innermost (posteriorly rotated) lobe is the most prominent and bifurcates into two rounded sub-lobes. Sexual dimorphism in shape and armature of endopodites. Branchial laminae without marginal notch. Genital segments somewhat prominent in lateral view. Penes typical of the genus. Testes extending to 2nd-3rd postgenital segments. Female with reduced antennae, as usual. Thorax with segmentary dorsal conical mounds. Brood pouch meddially widened, its major axis deviated ~30° from the longitudinal axis of the abdomen, extending to 3rd-4th postgenital segments. Ovaries extending from 8th-10th thoracic segments to 2nd-4th postgenital segments. Cysts 340 µm mean diameter. In both sexes, joint between the two last segments of the abdomen inconspicuous.

84 Coquimbo - Chile 14- 17 October 2007 POSTER CONTRIBUTIONS

TAXONOMIC STATUS OF Tetraclita stalactifera (LAMARCK, 1818) (CIRRIPEDIA BALANOMORPHA) ON BRAZILIAN SHORES Conceição, M.C.G.1, Zilberberg, C.2, Pitombo, F.B.1 1Departamento de Biologia Marinha, Universidade Federal Fluminense, CP 100.644. Niterói, RJ CEP 24001-970, Brazil; 2Departameto de Biologia Celular e Genética, Universidade do Estado do Rio de Janeiro. E-mail:[email protected]

Two subspecies of Tetraclita stalactifera are cited to Brazil: Tetraclita stalactifera stalactifera and Tetraclita stalactifera floridana, first with eroded and second with an uneroded shell and persistent epicuticle. Tetraclita s. stalactifera occurs from The Caribbean to south Brazil and T. s. floridana is only found on type locality (Miami, FL) and Guanabara bay (RJ-Brazil). Both subspecies occurs in sympatry. This work was initiated from an inquiry about the validity of the citation of T. s. floridana in Brazil. Specimens identified as T. s. stalactifera and T. s. floridana were found on Camboinhas channel, Niterói RJ fixed on rock substrate and on mytilid respectively. The identification of two sympatric subspecies, might be an indication of valid species or morphological variations of one species. Morphological characterization demonstrated that apart the previously known external differences, none was observed among the specimens collected on Camboinhas channel. Comparison with the original descriptions and with previously identified material of T. s. floridana from Guanabara Bay (9 km afar) and T. stalactifera from Panama, also demonstrate the same morphological pattern. The low genetic distance (d=0,4) obtained with enzymes electrophoresis and the absence of diagnostic loci among the Camboinhas specimens, indicates that we are dealing with one interbreeding population. The morphological differences may be the result of physical factors related to distinct microhabitats that resulted on modification of shell structure. Morphological and genetic evidences indicates that specimens previously identified as T. s. floridana (Pilsbry, 1916) should be considered as morphological variation of T. s. stalactifera. Tetraclita stalactifera floridana is restrict to its type locality were further studies are need to access its taxonomic status.

SPATIAL AND SEASONAL DISTRIBUTION OF JUVENILES OF SHRIMP Xiphopenaeus kroyeri (HELLER, 1862) (DENDROBRANCHIATA: PENAEIDAE) IN SOUTHEASTERN BRAZIL Costa, R.C.1, Simões, S.M.1, Haeckler, G.S.; Castilho, A.L.2 1 LABCAM - Depto. Ciências Biológicas – FC – Universidade Estadual Paulista – UNESP, Bauru, 17033-360, São Paulo, Brasil; 2 Depto. Zoologia – IB – UNESP, Botucatu, SP. 1,2 NEBECC. E-mail: [email protected]

The influence of environmental factors on the abundance and spatial-temporal distribution of the juveniles shrimp Xiphopenaeus kroyeri was investigated in southeastern Brazil over two years. Monthly collections were conducted in Ubatuba Bay using a commercial shrimp fishing boat equipped with two “double-rig” nets. The Bay was divided into 6 sampling stations, all of which were less than 25 m deep. A total of 23.267 individuals was collected. The spatial distribution of X. kroyeri differed among transects. Highest abundance values were recorded in areas where very fine sand and silt and clay comprised more than 70% of the bottom sediment. Abundance of X. kroyeri followed a seasonal trend, being higher during fall and winter, when intrusions of tropical waters are frequent, causing an increase in salinity (>35‰) and temperature (>21ºC) and. A clear decrease in juveniles shrimp abundance followed a decrease in bottom temperature (<20ºC) during spring and summer due to the influence of cold water currents, particularly the South Atlantic Central Water, confininement of the individuals in shallower areas (<15m). These results suggest that sediment type, salinity and temperature are among the most important variables affecting the spatial and seasonal distribution of juveniles this species. The Ubatuba bay may be considered as a nursery area, thus of most importance for the development early stages of X. kroyeri. FAPESP (04/07309-8, 05/53050-9, 06/51471-0).

85 Coquimbo - Chile 14- 17 October 2007 POSTER CONTRIBUTIONS

RECRUITMENT OF TWO SPECIES OF PINK SHRIMP (Farfantepenaeus spp.) OF THE NORTH COAST OF THE SÃO PAULO STATE, SOUTHEASTERN BRAZIL Costa, R.C.1, Lopes, M. 1,2, Fransozo, A.2, Castilho, A.L.2, Simões, S.M.1 1 LABCAM - Depto. Ciências Biológicas – FC – Universidade Estadual Paulista – UNESP, Bauru, 17033-360, São Paulo, Brasil; 2 Depto. Zoologia – IB – UNESP, Botucatu, SP; 1,2 NEBECC. E-mail: [email protected]

The juvenile recruitment period of two important fishery resources of the Brazilian coast, Farfantepenaeus brasiliensis and F. paulensis, was investigated in the region of Ubatuba, State of São Paulo, Brazil, to better understand their life cycles. Monthly samples were carried out between July of 2005 and December of 2006 in 4 transects in the estuary of Indaiá and 4 additional transects in the adjacent Bay. A total of 1280 specimens were captured, including 645 of F. brasiliensis and 635 of F. paulensis. Although 496 individuals were recorded in the Indaiá estuary, only 2 of those belong to the species F. brasiliensis. In the Bay area, 785 individuals were collected, with the vast majority (690) being F. brasiliensis. Two peaks of intense recruitment were observed in the estuary between February and March and between June and July for F. paulensis, when temperatures were about 20ºC and salinities between 19 and 23‰. In the Bay, shrimp of both species were most abundant between March and June, when temperature and salinity levels were above 23.5°C and 30.0‰, respectively. These results indicate that the reproductive seasons take place at the end of spring (December) and beginning of summer (January and February). The last period of juvenile development occurring in the Bay and not in the estuarine areas (particularly in F. brasiliensis), as usually suggested in the literature can jeopardize the entire fishery stocks of these species in the region, which is the main fishing grounds for the seabob shrimp, Xiphopenaeus kroyeri.This study indicates that small estuaries that exist in the studied region provide a differential habitat choice by these taxa to prevent potential competition for food resources. FAPESP

EFFECT OF FOOD IN EARLY LARVAE OF Lysmata amboinensis (DE MANN, 1888) Cunha, L.1, Mascaró, M.2, Chiappa, X.3, Costa, A.1,3, Simões, N.2 1 Departmento de Biologia, Universidade dos Açores, R. Mãe de Deus, Apt 1422, 9501-855 Ponta Delgada, Portugal; 2 Unidad Multidisciplinaria de Docencia e Investigación - Sisal, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad Nacional Autonoma de México, México (UMDI-Sisal, FC, UNAM); 3 CIBIO – Centro de Investigação em Biodiversidade e Recursos Genéticos. E-mail: [email protected]

Identifying appropriate larvae husbandry is a key to improve larval quality and shorten larval stages duration as well as minimize culture costs for the ornamental cleaner shrimps Lysmata amboinensis. Several feeding and zootechnical experiments were conducted under laboratory conditions to test for the effect of food during the first day of life; for the effect of feeding with microalgae on larvae digestion, for the effect of enriched rotifers upon survival and for the combined effect of stocking density with food concentration on young larvae growth and survival. Oxygen consumption values, trypsin activity and metabolite content (protein and triacylglycerols) were determined for .L. amboinensis early stage larvae, for the first time. When starved during the first day of life, L. amboinensis larvae had the same oxygen consumption as fed larvae, indicating that food is not crucial during that period. Nevertheless, energy reserves such as TAG, were significantly lower for 24 h starved larvae when compared with fed larvae indicating lecitotrophy. The trypsin specific activity was low when compared with other decapod larvae. However, these findings were similar to other carnivorous larvae from the same genus such as L.debelius. Larvae fed with Tetraselmis Chuii showed a significant increase in enzyme activity after 24h. Present results demonstrate that enriched rotifers resulted in higher larval survival during the first days of life when compared with larvae fed with non enriched rotifers. The present study showed that survival is not dependent on the relation between larvae density with food concentration. Stocking densities of 10 larva ml-1 showed the highest survivals. In contrast, the lowest survival was found at the highest larvae stocking density with the lower food concentration used.

86 Coquimbo - Chile 14- 17 October 2007 POSTER CONTRIBUTIONS

THE EFFECT OF SIZE AND AUTOTOMIES ON ASSORTATIVE MATING AND REPRODUCTIVE MALE-MALE COMPETITION OF THE MUD CRAB Cyrtograpsus angulatus DANA Daleo, P.1, 2, Luppi, T.1, 2, Méndez Casariego, A.1, 2, Escapa, M.2, 3, Ribeiro, P.1, 2, Silva, P.1, 2, Iribarne, O.1, 2 1 Departamento de Biología (FCEyN), Universidad Nacional de Mar del Plata, CC 573 Correo Central, B7600WAG, Mar del Plata, Argentina; 2 Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET), Argentina; 3 Instituto Argentino de Oceanografía (IADO), Argentina. E-mail: [email protected]

Size advantage in male-male competition over mates, combined with male preference over large females, is a common feature that can drive to size assortative mating and, eventually, sexual selection. In crabs, incidence of limb autotomies can affect assortative mating and opportunity for sexual selection by affecting size advantage in matting contests. In this work we evaluate the effect of size and autotomies in generating assortative mating in two populations of the mud crab Cyrtograpsus angulatus with contrasting incidence of autotomies. Field observations of guarding pairs shows a positive correlation between carapace width of males and females in both populations. In the low autotomy incidence population, the variability in size of reproductive males was lower than the variability in size of random sampling males (i.e., only larger males were successful in getting a female), whereas there was no differences in the high autotomy incidence population (i.e., most male sizes were successful). As expected, opportunity for selection on male size was higher in the low autotomy incidence population. This indicates that the importance of size is higher when incidence of autotomies is low. In this context, experiments (in both populations) show that, in contests for a female, larger males outcompete smaller ones only when they were without autotomies. When males were with autotomies, wining or loosing against smaller males was at random. This may lead to a decrease in the importance of male size in populations with high incidence of autotomies, affecting assortative mating and opportunity for selection and, thus, affecting selective pressures.

MEGALOPAE AND JUVENILE CRAB SETTLEMENT ON ARTIFICIAL SUBSTRATA IN NORTHERN PATAGONIA: SEASONAL AND INTERANNUAL VARIABILITY Dellatorre, F.G. 1, Figueroa, N.D.2, Rojas, L.2, Barón, P.J.1 1 Centro Nacional Patagónico (CONICET), Boulevard Brown 2825, Puerto Madryn, Chubut, Argentina; 2 Universidad Nacional de la Patagonia, Sede Puerto Madryn. Boulevard Brown 3700, Puerto Madryn, Chubut, Argentina. E-mail: [email protected]

Most crab populations are demographically open, depending largely on larval or juvenile settlement from the plankton. In mid latitudes, reproduction is markedly seasonal, restricting the presence of larvae in the plankton and the settlement of megalopae to the bottom to periods of weeks or a few months. The aim of this work was to determine the seasonality of settlement of different crab species in Northern Patagonia and compare the strength of settlement and its duration for each species between two consecutive years. Megalopae collectors were built with a metal frame supporting a square 0.16-m2 piece of NomadTM mat (3M, Nomad Terra 8100). Three collectors were placed on the muddy bottom at a depth of 18 m and replaced every two days from mid September 2005 to late April 2006 and from late September 2006 to late March 2007. In the laboratory, collector material was rinsed thoroughly with fresh water, filtered through a 500-µm sieve, and the sample was fixed in 4% formaline seawater. Early live stages of each species were identified and counted under dissecting microscope. Mean number of megalopae/juvenile of each species settled per collector every 2-day was compared between years using Student´s “t” test. A total of 1126 megalopae and 2464 juvenile crabs were captured. Megalopae settlement of Peltarion spinosulum and Munida gregaria (= M. subrugosa) occurred during spring, being significantly higher for P. spinosulum in 2005 than in 2006 (p = 3.10- 6). Cyrtograpsus altimanus and Pachycheles chubutensis settlement occurred during summer, and was significantly higher in 2007 than in 2006 (p = 2.10-5 and 0.01 respectively). Megalopae and juvenile settlement of Halicarcinus planatus was detected during all of the sampling period.

87 Coquimbo - Chile 14- 17 October 2007 POSTER CONTRIBUTIONS

CAROTENOIDS FROM INTEGUMENT, MUSCLE AND MIDGUT GLAND OF THE ARGENTINE RED SHRIMP Pleoticus muelleri Díaz, A.C., Velurtas, S.M., Fernández Gimenez, A.V., Mendiara, S.N., Fenucci, J.L. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales, Universidad Nacional de Mar del Plata, CONICET, CIC. Funes 3350, B7602AYL, Mar del Plata, Argentina. E-mail: [email protected]

Carotenoids have been considered to stimulate animal immune system, increase stress tolerance, and enhance embryonic development. Astaxanthin is the predominant carotenoid in decapod crustacean and has been studied extensively in penaeoid shrimps. Since these animals can not synthesize astaxanthin, it must be included in their feeds in order to obtain their appealing color and because it also serves as an antioxidant and as a source of vitamin A. Oxidative pathways suggested for metabolism of dietary carotenoids include that of β-carotene and astaxanthin. The aim of this research was to compare growth, survival, total carotenoids and the carotenoid profile from the integument, muscle and midgut gland in juvenile Pleoticus muelleri fed isoproteic formulated feed. Trials were carried out in three replicate groups during 7 weeks on juveniles (5.15±0.941g initial weight). Four diets (35% crude protein) contained astaxanthin at concentrations of 50 and 100mg/100 g diet and β-carotene at concentrations of 50 and 100mg/ 100g diet were tested. The control group was fed with a non-pigmented diet. A spectroscopy UV-visible method was carried out. There was no experimental evidence supporting a possible influence of theses pigments on growth and survival under the conditions used in this study. We detected that dietary carotenoids are stored in the integument and muscle, but not in midgut gland. Significant statistical differences were found between wild animals and those fed with different diets (P<0.05). There were no significant differences among dietary treatments even without pigment supplementation. The integument showed the highest carotenoids concentrations: free astaxanthin and β-carotene level were 9.47±1.064 and 15.43±1.126µg g-1 tissue, respectively. In muscle the most important carotenoid was β-carotene (1.74±0.161µg mg-1 tissue). Due to the high cost of artificial pigments, dietary supplementation is not necessary for grow-out if the Argentine red shrimp juveniles are fed with diets containing animal meals like fish, squid, and shrimp.

SIZE AT SEXUAL MATURITY OF THE CRAB Halicarcinus planatus (BRACHYURA: HYMENOSOMATIDAE) IN BOTH EXTREMES OF ITS GEOGRAPHICAL DISTRIBUTION. Diez, M.J.1, Lovrich, G.A.1, Spivak, E.2 1 Centro Austral de Investigaciones Científicas (CADIC-CONICET) – Houssay 200, Ushuaia, Tierra del Fuego, Argentina; 2 Universidad Nacional de Mar del Plata - Funes 3250, Mar del Plata, Argentina. E-mail: [email protected]

The brachyuran crab Halicarcinus planatus is the only Hymenosomatidae that occurs in the southern tip of South America. On the Atlantic coast, it is present along the Patagonian coast, from the Cape Horn (56º S) to Mar del Plata, Argentina (38º S), in the intertidal rocky shores and kelp holdfasts. Here, we compare the size at sexual maturity of H. planatus in the northern and southern limits of its geographical distribution in the Atlantic Ocean: Mar del Plata (37º 59´S 57º 32´W; minimum seawater temperature 10ºC, MDP) and the Beagle Channel (54º 51´S 68º 33´ W; maximum seawater temperature 11ºC, BC), respectively. The routine Mature was used to estimate the size of 50% of sexual maturity (SSM50) from crab morphometric data. Abdomen width and right chela length were regressed on caparace width (CW) in females and males, respectively. Eggs attached to the pleopods and the occurrence of spermatophores the vas deferens defined the physiological maturity in females and males, respectively. The CW value corresponding to 50% maturity from respective logistic equations provided the size at physiological maturity (SPM). In the BC, average sizes were 8.47±2.09 and 7.69±2.71 mm CW for females and males, and in MDP average sizes were 3.18±1.18 and 2.84±1.19 mm CW for females and males respectively. On average, females were always significantly bigger that males. In males, SSM50 was 9.01±0.24 and 3.89 mm CW in BC and MDP, respectively. In both populations the male SSM50 was higher than SPM. In females, SPM was 4.3 and 9.8 mm CW in MDP and BC, respectively. We hypothesize that these differences in sizes are related to a higher molt frequency and a lower molt increment in MDP than in CB, due to higher temperature regime. This presentation partially fulfills the requirements for the PhD degree of MJD at the Universidad Nacional de Mar del Plata, Argentina.

88 Coquimbo - Chile 14- 17 October 2007 POSTER CONTRIBUTIONS

IMPORTANCE OF LIGHT AND LARVAL MORPHOLOGY IN STARVATION RESISTANCE AND FEEDING ABILITY OF NEWLY HATCHED MARINE ORNAMENTAL SHRIMPS Lysmata spp. (DECAPODA: HIPPOLYTIDAE) Dionísio, G.1, Bartilotti, C.2, Nunes, C.1, dos Santos, A.2, Dinis, M.T.1, Calado, R.1 1 CCMAR Universidade do Algarve, Campus de Gambelas, 8005-139 Faro, Portugal; 2 Instituto Nacional de Investigação Agrária e Pescas, IPIMAR, Av. de Brasília, s/n. 1449-006 Lisboa, Portugal. E-mail: [email protected]

The present work evaluates the resistance of newly hatched Lysmata amboinensis, L. ankeri, L. debelius and L. seticaudata larvae to 24, 48, 72, 96 and 120 hours of starvation after hatching, as well as their ability to capture newly hatched Artemia nauplii and enriched metanauplii under different light regimes (24, 12 and 0 hours of light). Additionally, it analyses the feeding and swimming behavior of newly hatched larvae and compares their morphological and biometrical features. Lysmata ankeri and L. seticaudata displayed higher resistance to starvation than L. amboinensis and L. debelius, molting to zoea II in the absence of food. Larvae starved for longer periods and kept in darkness displayed higher survival rates, probably due to a lower energy consumption induced by reduced swimming activity. Light regimes did not influence Lysmata ability to capture larval preys, reinforcing the idea that these larvae do not display true hunting behaviors, rather relying on chance encounters with dietary preys. All Lysmata larvae consumed similar levels of Artemia nauplii, while L. ankeri and L. seticaudata were able to consume a significantly higher amount of enriched metanauplii than L. amboinensis and L. debelius. Interspecific larval size variability, similar swimming ability and the inexistence of morphological features more specialized for prey capture in L. ankeri or L. seticaudata larvae exclude larval morphology and biometry as explanations for the different consumption rates recorded. The ability of Lysmata larvae to capture large dietary preys opens good perspectives for the use of inert diets at an early stage.

TROPHIC STUDIES IN CRUSTACEAN ZOOPLANKTON: THE USE OF LIPID MARKERS FOR FEEDING STUDIES Donoso, K., Pérez, C., Escribano, R. CENSOR Project and COPAS Center. Pelagic Laboratory and Mesozooplankton (PLAMZ), Marine Biology Station at Dichato, University of Concepción, Chile. E-mail: [email protected]

Zooplankton is a key component in the marine ecosystem as the main pathway for channeling primary production to higher trophic levels in the pelagic food web. The present study is an attempt to evaluate the use of bio-markers (lipids) for application in the study of trophic interactions. The hypothesis that certain fatty acids are transferred from phytoplankton to zooplankton without major transformations was tested, so that they can act as bio-markers for the C and N transfer between zooplankton and phytoplankton. Experiments were carried out with the copepod Acartia tonsa, fed with different algae, Thalassiosira aestivalis, Chaetoceros didymus, Skeletonema japonicum and the flagellate Isochrysis galbana. Individuals fed with this food were collected and analyzed for lipid content and composition by Gas-Liquid Chromatography. Results were also compared with wild animals feeding on natural food. The analysis of microalgae lipids showed that the oleic acid had the greatest percentage in almost all cases; another abundant fatty acid was also linoeic, 18:0 and 16:0. Low amounts of EPA (Eicosapentaenoic acid), and DHA (Docosahexaenoic acid) were found. When comparing lipid profiles of microalgae and those of A. tonsa fed with the same algae, the lipid transfer from phytoplankton to zooplankton was evident in the case of I. galbana and T. aestivalis, yielding similar proportions of oleic acid. In the case of C. didymus and S. japonicum the fatty acids present in greatest amounts were not present in A. tonsa. In the case of Ch. didymus, the palmitic acid was in the greatest amounts, although absent in A. tonsa fed with this algae. Meantime, in the case of S. japonicum the oleic acid was in large amounts, but it did not seem to be transferred to A. tonsa, because it was present in very small amounts in individuals, whereas the fatty acid 20:4 (n-3) was in large amounts A. tonsa, but it was very low in S. japonicum. Findings from both, wild animals and from those fed in the laboratory are discussed in terms of their potential as bio-markers.

89 Coquimbo - Chile 14- 17 October 2007 POSTER CONTRIBUTIONS

ON THE BIODIVERSITY OF THE SHALLOW-WATER ASELLOTA (ISOPODA) FROM PUERTO DESEADO, SANTA CRUZ PROVINCE, ARGENTINA Doti, B.L.1, Roccatagliata, D.1, Chiesa, I.1, 2 1 Departamento de Biodiversidad y Biología Experimental, Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales, Universidad de Buenos Aries, Ciudad Universitaria, C1428EHA, Buenos Aires, Argentina; 2 Museo Argentino de Ciencias Naturales “Bernardino Rivadavia”, División Invertebrados, Av. Ángel Gallardo 470, C1405DJR, Buenos Aires, Argentina. E-mail: [email protected]

Unlike other isopods which have been frequently reported from Santa Cruz Province, Argentina, such as Sphaeromatidae, Serolidae and Idoteidae, the Asellota fauna remains almost unknown. The commensal Iais pubescens and four unidentified species belonging to the genera Joeropsis, Munna and Iathrippa have been recorded from this province so far. In order to improve our knowledge on this neglected fauna 12 benthic samples taken in and off the mouth of the Deseado River estuary were analyzed. Samples were collected with both an epibenthic sledge and a van Veen grab, from 2 to 65 m depth, in 2001, 2006 and 2007. Of the 28 species of Asellota identified, 27 are new records from Puerto Deseado. The Paramunnidae showed the highest diversity (15 species), followed by the Janiridae (6 spp.), Joeropsidae (3 spp.), Santiidae (2 spp.), and finally the Munnidae and Acanthaspidiidae with a single species each. Of the 28 species herein studied, 11 were also recorded from the Beagle Channel, two from the Magellan Strait, and 14 from both areas (Beagle Channel and Magellan Strait). Our results suggest that this fauna extends mostly unchanged along the Atlantic coast at least as far north as Puerto Deseado. This research was partially supported by the ANPCyT (PICT 02-11180) and the Argentine Scientific Council (CONICET).

THE SEXUAL SYSTEM OF Hippolyte williamsi SCHMITT, 1924 (DECAPODA: CARIDEA: HIPPOLYTIDAE): ¿GONOCHORISM OR HERMAPHRODITISM? Espinoza-Fuenzalida, N.L.1, Baeza, J.A.2,3, Thiel, M.1 1 Facultad Ciencias del Mar, Universidad Católica del Norte, Larrondo 1281, Coquimbo, Chile; 2 Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute, Apartado Postal 0843-03092, Balboa, Ancón, Republic of Panama; 3 Smithsonian Marine Station at Fort Pierce, 701 Seaway Drive, Fort Pierce, Florida 34949, USA. E-mail: [email protected]

Sexual systems vary considerably among caridean shrimps both at and above the generic level. Most species are gonochoric, others are described sequential protandric hermaphrodites, and even others exhibit simultaneous hermaphroditism with an early male phase. At present, there is confusion about the sexual system exhibited by several species mostly because those studies attempting to reveal their sexual system draw inferences solely from the distribution of the sexes across size classes. Comprehensive studies not only examining population structure, but also conducting dissections, behavioral observations, and laboratory rearing experiments are necessary to successfully reveal the sexual system of a species. Here, we report on studies conducted to discover the sexual system of the shrimp Hippolyte williamsi, from Puerto Aldea, Coquimbo, Chile. Preliminary studies of its population structure suggested that the species might be a protandric hermaphrodite or a gonochoric species featuring strong sexual dimorphism (males smaller than females). We conducted two samplings during Spring and Summer to describe the population structure, we dissected small and large shrimps placing particular attention to the existence of transitional individuals (shrimps with both male and female sexual characters), and we reared males in the laboratory (isolated, with females, or in the presence of other males) recording possible sex change and death. Dissections indicated that the population was composed by small males, small immature females, and large mature females. No transitional individuals were found. Males maintained in the laboratory molted between 3 and 6 times and many grew up to reach sizes larger than those of the largest males observed in the field before dying. No indication of sex change was recorded. These results suggest that Hippolyte williamsi is a sexually dimorphic gonocoric species.

90 Coquimbo - Chile 14- 17 October 2007 POSTER CONTRIBUTIONS

SPERMATOPHORE MORPHOLOGY OF THE HERMIT CRAB Pagurus criniticornis (STIMPSON, 1859) (ANOMURA, PAGURIDAE) FROM SOUTHERN ATLANTIC, BRAZIL Mantelatto, F. L. 2, Fantucci, M. Z.1 Laboratory of Bioecology and Crustacean Systematics, Department of Biology, Faculty of Philosophy, Sciences and Letters of Ribeirão Preto (FFCLRP), University of São Paulo (USP); Program of Post-Graduation on Comparative Biology. E-mail: [email protected]

The spermatophores of decapods crustaceans exhibit great morphological (shape and size) variations between taxa. Such variability has been of useful interest in the elucidation of taxonomic and systematic problems among Anomura. In this scenario, we investigated the morphology and biometry of Pagurus criniticornis spermatophores. Specimens were sampled manually in the Araçá mangrove area, northern littoral coast of the state of São Paulo, Brazil. In laboratory, the abdomens of fresh individuals were examined and spermatophores were extracted from distal part of vas deferens. Their biometry and morphology were analyzed using a scanning electron microscope and a light microscope equipped with a camera lucida. Males exhibited tripartite spermatophores, which are typical of anomurans. The main ampulla is cylindrical and slightly flattened. It has a crest on its distal extremity, where the two ampulla’s halves open for the spermatozoa release. There is a smaller accessory ampulla close linked to the main ampulla’s base, a structure found in hermit crabs of the Paguridae family. Approximately a sixth part of the main ampulla is involved by the thin stalk. The stalk is a few smaller to equal the main ampulla’s lenght. The majority of the observed spermatophores were attached to a single pedestal, that is round to ovoid in shape, but feet supporting two spermatophores were also noted. Compared to other researches concerning spermatophores accomplished up to this moment, the spermatophore morphology showed by P. criniticornis has characteristics similar to the reported for some Paguridae species. The obtained results corroborate the taxonomic position of P. criniticornis within this family. However, more investigations are necessary to consolidate this numerous family and its taxa. Financial support: CAPES

MORPHOMETRIC RELATIONSHIPS AND MATURITY IN MALES OF DEEP-SEA RED CRAB, Chaceon notialis (BRACHYURA, GERYONIDAE) IN THE ARGENTINEAN SHELF Farias, N.E.1, 2, Wyngaard, J.3 1 Laboratorio de Invertebrados, Universidad Nacional de Mar del Plata, Mar del Plata, Bs.As., Argentina; 2 Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET); 3 Instituto Nacional de Investigación y Desarrollo Pesquero (INIDEP), Mar del plata, Bs. As., Argentina. E-mail: [email protected]

Geryonid crabs are inhabitants of the external continental shelf and upper slope with a worldwide distribution. Their populations are commonly under commercial fishing, and Chaceon notialis is not an exception. It is distributed in both Biogeographic Provinces Argentinean and the Atlantic portion of the Magellanic, but it is southern limit remains unknown. In Uruguay C. notialis constitutes a stock of economic importance. In Argentina is poorly known and non-exploited, although this countries have a common zone of fishing, the “Zona Común de Pesca Argentino-Uruguaya” (ZCPAU). This fisheries typically exploit only or predominantly males. The reduction in the number of males might influence the sustainability of the stocks by decrease the number of effective matings. Thus the size at which the individuals in this exploited stocks attain maturity is an important parameter for developing plans that will ensure sustainable exploitation. In this way, we analyzed crabs caught by the fishing ship Wiron IV with traps, in an exploratory campaign in the argentine side of ZCPAU to 41º S, during December 2003 to February 2004. For asses morphometrical maturity of males of C. notialis a variety of measurements were taken from 208 specimens. It was heterochelic and a strong handedness was found, with the crushing chelae at the right side in the 92% of all males observed. Except carapace width, all morphometric relationships shown an allometric growth relative with carapace length (CL) and no breakpoints was found. In spite of this, we could discriminate morphometrically immature from mature crabs by a combination of principal component analysis PCA and hierarchical cluster analysis. Two morphometric groups were distinguished, and the LC50%=96,62 mm was estimated by fitting the logistic equation.

91 Coquimbo - Chile 14- 17 October 2007 POSTER CONTRIBUTIONS

MORPHOMETRY AND SEXUAL MATURITY OF THE PURPLE STONE CRAB, Platyxanthus crenulatus (BRACHYURA, PLATYXANTHIDAE) IN MAR DEL PLATA HARBOUR Farias, N.E.1,2, Spivak, E.1,2, Luppi, T.A.1,2 1 Laboratorio de Invertebrados, Universidad Nacional de Mar Del Plata, Bs.As., Argentina; 2 Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET). E-mail: [email protected]

Platyxanthus crenulatus, a crab endemic of the Southwestern Atlantic distributed from 44 to 23ºS, is commonly found in the intertidal and subtidal of Argentine rocky shores. From May 2006 to May 2007 we collected 254 individuals of P. crenulatus (106 females and 148 males) in Mar del Plata harbour whit SCUBA diving. We measured the carapace width (CW), the length of male chelae (propodus of the crusher, PL) and gonopod, and the width of the sixth abdominal segment (AW) of females. Finally, we registered the presence/absence of ovary of females and the presence/absence of spermatophores in the middle portion of the vas deferens of males. We used the piecewise linear regression tool of the STATISTICA7 program to detect breakpoints on the regression lines and estimate the size at sexual maturity, using carapace width as the reference dimension. For both, morphometrical and gonadal maturity, CW50% was estimated by fitting the logistic equation with Microsoft Excel´s Solver program. In both sexes gonadal and morphometrical maturity do not differ. Males shown a significative change in allometry of the major propodus length approximately at 40,66mm CW and the gonadal maturity was near to 40,69mm CW, while in females, sixth abdominal segment width showed a possible size at sexual maturity at similar at 38,79mm CW and a gonadal maturity near to 40,83 mm CW.

PRELIMINARY DATA ON CRUSTACEAN FAUNA IN IONIAN SEA (ITALY). AN ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT ON OFF-SHORE PLATFORMS ACTIVITY Fiorentino, D., Bevilacqua, S., Delos, A., Fraschetti, S., Terlizzi, A. Department of Biological and Environmental Sciences and Technologies - University of Salento. E-mail: [email protected]

Hydrocarbon extraction by off-shore platforms is known to cause changes in marine assemblages. The effects of such activity has been rarely quantified in the Mediterranean Sea. This study aims at testing whether the structure of crustacean assemblages is influenced by the presence of an offshore gas platforms field in North Ionian Sea (Italy). We used a gradient sampling design and samples were collected at increasing distance (300, 1000, 3000 m) from each of the four gas platform. For each platform, five sites were sampled with three replicates at each of the three distances, for a total of 180 observations. Sampling was undertaken by a Van Venn grab (18 lt) on muddy-sandy substrates. Amphipoda was the most represented Order within crustaceans, with a total of 5069 specimens. Multivariate analysis did not show clear patterns according to the gradient. Possible explanations of such a pattern are: 1) the gas platforms do not influence crustacean assemblages; 2) crustaceans are not good indicators of this impact or 3) Order is not likely to be the appropriate taxonomic level to detect changes in crustacean assemblages under this source of disturbance. A preliminary amphipod species list shows 34 species of which only 6 had been previously reported for East Mediterranean Sea. Leptocheirus sp. and Iphimedia sp. are probably new species. Gammaropsis togoensis is a lessepsian migrant described for Indo Pacific region, never found along the Italian coasts, indicating the spreading towards West Mediterranean sea. In conclusion, on one hand the study shows that the taxonomic level of Order is not able to detect the putative source of impact, on the other one, an update of the East Mediterranean faunistic picture is proposed with enlarging the distribution of some Western Mediterranean species and underlining how our perception of biodiversity is heavily dependent on our taxonomic efforts.

92 Coquimbo - Chile 14- 17 October 2007 POSTER CONTRIBUTIONS

MULTIPLE ANNUAL OVIPOSITIONS OF Cancer setosus ALONG A LATITUDINAL CLINE: AQUARIA EXPERIMENTS AND ANALYSIS OF FIELD-DATA Fischer, S.1, Thatje, S.2 1Alfred Wegener Institute for Polar and Marine Research, Am Handelshafen 12, 27570 Bremerhaven, Germany; 2 National Oceanography Centre, Southampton, School of Ocean and Earth Science, University of Southampton, European Way, Southampton, SO14 3ZH, United Kingdom. E-mail: [email protected]

Ovigerous females of Cancer setosus are present year-round throughout most of its wide distribution range along the Chilean/Peruvian Pacific coast (46°S – 2°S). However, their annual number of egg-masses remains speculative and as such has not been considered in latitudinal comparisons of the species reproduction. In order to reveal the effect of temperature on egg- mass production and egg-development female C. setosus were held in through-flow aquaria under natural seasonal temperature conditions (16 – 23 °C) in Antofagasta (23°S), Northern Chile (06/2005 - 03/2006), and at three fixed temperatures (09/2006 - 02/2007) in Puerto Montt (41°S), Central-Southern Chile. Female crabs uniformly produced up to 3 viable egg-masses within 4 1/2 months in Antofagasta and in Puerto Montt (at 19.3 °C). The second oviposition followed the first, and the third the second, after 62.5 d (± 7.6, N = 7) and 73.5 d (± 12.5, N = 11) in Antofagasta and 64.4 d (± 9.8, N = 5) and 67.0 d (± 2.8, N = 2) in Puerto Montt. At the two lower temperatures in Puerto Montt of 15.9 °C and 12.1 °C the production of a second egg-mass was observed after 82.8 d (± 28.9; N = 4) and 137 d (N = 1), respectively. The duration of egg development from oviposition until larval hatching decreased from 65 d at 12.5 °C to 22.7 d at the observed upper temperature threshold of 22 °C. Based on the derived relationship between temperature and the duration of egg-development (y = 239.3175e-0.107x; N = 21, r2 = 0.83) and reports on monthly percentages of ovigerous females from field studies the annual number of egg-masses of C. setosus was calculated. This analysis revealed an annual output of about one egg-mass close to the species northern and southern distributional limits in Casma (9°S) and Ancud (43°S), respectively, while at Coquimbo (29°S) about two and in Concepción (36°S) more than 3 egg-masses are produced per year.

POPULATION DYNAMICS AND EXPLOITATION LEVEL ASSESSMENT OF THE SEABOB, Xiphopenaeus kroyeri (HELLER, 1982) IN TABASCO-CAMPECHE COASTS, SOUTH OF THE GULF OF MEXICO. Flores Hernández, D.1, Pérez Sánchez, M.I., Ramos Miranda, J., Gómez Criollo, F. 1 Centro EPOMEX, Universidad Autónoma de Campeche. Av. Agustín Melgar s/n, entre Juan de la Barrera y calle 20. Col. Buenavista. CP. 24090, Campeche, México. E-mail: [email protected]

For many years, the seabob, Xiphopenaeus kroyeri has been the object of the artisanal fleet of the south coast in Campeche, Mexico. Capture volumes showed a decrease tendency since the year 1998 when reached 2474.8t until its lower register in 2006 with 970t. Due to its production variability the seabob is a resource that needs constant survey; this is why this study is focused in establishing the exploitation level as well as key features of the resource dynamics. The data was obtained through a systematical sampling method of 37 sampling stations from February of 2006 to January of 2007; biological samples were subtracted using an experimental trawling net. Data obtained was used to determinate the population length structure (TL), growth was estimated by Von Berthalanffy (1938), total mortality (Z) was calculated using linealized capture curve; natural mortality (M) was calculated using the equation of Pauly (1980); fishing mortality (F) was estimated using (Z) and (M). Maximum Sustainable Yield (MSY) was obtained using the equation of García et al (1989). The results obtained were

L∞ =13.33cm, K=1.00/year, t0=-0.023/year; mortality: Z=4.74/year, M=2.213/year and F=2.527/year; RMS=2,225t, showing that the sea bob fishery is on its highest exploitation level comparing average captures between 1997 and 2006 (1,980t).

93 Coquimbo - Chile 14- 17 October 2007 POSTER CONTRIBUTIONS

STUDIES ON ASSOCIATION DEVELOPMENT OF AMPHIPOD SPECIES USING ARTIFICIAL SUBSTRATES WITHIN A MARINE CHANNEL ENVIRONMENT IN THE BRAZILIAN COAST Flynn, M.N.1, 2, Valério-Berardo, M.T. 1 1 Universidade Presbiteriana Mackenzie – FCEE. Rua da Consolação 896, 01302-907, SãoPaulo, Brazil; 2 Faculdades Oswaldo Cruz. Rua Brigadeiro Galvão 540, São Paulo, Brazil. E-mail: [email protected]

Field studies on association development of amphipod species were conducted using experimental panels at the Petrobras Oil Terminal in São Sebastião Channel, Southeastern Brazil, as part of a monitoring program. The artificial substrata were placed at three different depths (O, 15 and 30 meters). This paper demonstrates that the fouling association is composed by the amphipods species Ampithoe ramondi, Caprella equilibra, Corophium sp., Dulichiella anisochir, Erichtonius brasiliensis, Paracaprella pusilla, Podocerus fissipes, Stenothoe valida, Elasmopus pectinicrus, Caprella scaura, Photis longicaudata and Jassa slatteryi. The species will inhabit substrata placed along the water column. The increasing species richness with time is caused by the selective succession installation of the species, with the tube dwelling forms recruiting first and free living forms later. Jassa slatteryi is numerically dominant in the 0 meters panels while Photis longicaudata, in the 30 meters panel. All the populations showed an abrupt variation along the time due to a prompt colonization and a low persistence, consistent with an opportunistic behavior.

POPULATION DYNAMICS OF Jassa slattery CONLAN, 1990 FROM EXPERIMENTAL PANELS LOCATED AT THE OIL TERMINAL OF SÃO SEBASTIÃO CHANNEL, SÃO PAULO, BRAZIL Flynn, M.N.1, 2, Cristales, P.A.1, Esumi, L.A.1, Monteiro, G.S.C.1, Souza, J.M.S.1, Valério-Berardo, M.T. 1 1 Universidade Presbiteriana Mackenzie – FCEE. Rua da Consolação 896, 01302-907, SãoPaulo, Brazil; 2 Faculdades Oswaldo Cruz. Rua Brigadeiro Galvão 540, São Paulo, Brazil. E-mail: [email protected]

The size-class structure, density trends, sex-ratio, survivorship curve, net reproductive rate, generation time and per capita rate of population growth were established for a population of Jassa slatteryi from experimental plates placed at an oil terminal of Petrobras at São Sebastião Channel, Southeastern Brazil as part of a monitoring program to assess oil impact in the marine ecosystem. This region is subjected to severe marine pollution since it receives frequent oil spillage from the oil terminal and a commercial port. Monthly samples, from March 1997 to March 1998, were taken accounting for a total of 37904 individuals distributed in 7 length classes. There were two reproductive peaks one smaller in May and another one throughout the warmer months from October to March imposing, with the continual reproduction, the overlapping of generations. A sex ratio biased in favor of females was recorded in all sampling dates. J. slatteryi appears to be r strategist, with iteroparous females and multivoltine cycle. It has a Type II survivorship curve consistent with parental care. For stabilized populations of experimental panels the reproductive rate estimated was 0.90 ±1.04, the generation time 2.09 ±1.26 and the per capita rate of population growth, 0.72 ± 0,83. The carrying capacity of the panels (30 x 30 cm) for the species is around 5000 individuals, so that the population intrinsic growth rate is gradually reduced with the increase of the species abundance. The knowledge of the population dynamics of Jassa slatteryi constitutes an important tool to assess ecological damage caused by hydrocarbons in the coastal area.

94 Coquimbo - Chile 14- 17 October 2007 POSTER CONTRIBUTIONS

MORPHOLOGY OF THE MALE REPRODUCTIVE SYSTEM AND SPERMATOPHORE FORMATION IN THE SEA BOB SHRIMP Xiphopenaeus kroyeri (HELLER, 1869) (DECAPODA: PENAEIDAE) Fransozo, V. 1, 2, Santos, D.C. 2, López Greco, L. 3,4, Gregório, E.A. 2 1 Zoology Graduation course – IBB Universidade Estadual Paulista, 18618-000, Botucatu, SP, Brasil; 2 Depto de Morfologia - IBB Universidade Estadual Paulista, 18618-000, Botucatu, SP, Brasil; 3 Dept. of Biodiversity and Experimental Biology, FCEN, University of Buenos Aires, Cdad. Univ. C1428EHA, Buenos Aires, Argentina; 4 CONICET. E-mail: [email protected]

The sea bob shrimp is one of the most important fishery resources among Dendrobranchiata from marine shallow waters in the northern coast of São Paulo State. This research describes the reproductive system of mature males in Xiphopenaeus kroyeri at macroscopic and microscopic level. The shrimps were collected by trawling in the Ubatuba Bay (23o 25’S; 45o 03’W), São Paulo, Brazil. Mature male were anesthetized and their reproductive systems were dissected, fixed and the usual routine procedure for light microscopic was followed. The gonad of X. kroyeri, at macroscopic level, is compound by a lobulated testis. At microscopic level, each lobe contains cells in the same stage of the spermatogenic cycle and the neighboring lobes also follow the same stage, characterizing a restricted testis. The vas deferens is anatomically differentiated in three parts from testis towards the ampoule: proximal vas deferens (PVD), middle vas deferens (MVD) and distal vas deferens (DVD). The PVD is translucent and very convoluted while the MVD is white, wider and also convoluted; and the DVD is a translucent and straight cord, where the elliptic spermatophores are observed by transparency, ending in the ampoule. The PVD has a single- layer epithelium with cylindrical cells highly secretor where free spermatozoa are present. At the MDV a single-layered cubic epithelium is observed and the formation of the spermatophores seems to begin by the epithelium secretion. Finally, at the DVD whose epithelium is similar to the MDV, the elliptic spermatophores are completely formed. Although the macroscopic features of the male reproductive system of X. kroyeri resembles the general pattern of the penaeids shrimps, the form, simplicity and number of the spermatophores is quite distinctive from other penaeideans. The relationship between the form of the spermatophores and the type of thelycum is addressed and compared with other species of Penaeidae. Financial support: first author CAPES fellowship.

THELYCUM DEVELOPMENT IN THE SEABOB SHRIMP Xiphopenaeus kroyeri (HELLER, 1982) (CRUSTACEA, DECAPODA, PENAEIDAE) UNDER ULTRASTRUCTURAL VIEW Fransozo, V. 1,2, Santos, D.C. 2, López Greco, L. 3,4, Gregório, E.A. 2 1Zoology graduation course – IBB Universidade Estadual Paulista, 18618-000, Botucatu, SP, Brasil; 2 Depto de Morfologia - IBB Universidade Estadual Paulista, 18618-000, Botucatu, SP, Brasil; 3Dept. of Biodiversity and Experimental Biology, FCEN, University of Buenos Aires, Cdad. Univ. C1428EHA, Buenos Aires, Argentina; 4CONICET. [email protected]

Penaeid thelycum is classified into two general types: open and closed. The species Xiphopenaeus kroyeri (Heller, 1869) has a closed thelycum formed by the 7th and 8th thoracic segments. This structure stores spermatozoa (as spermatophore/s) until fertilization occurs and its development is a gradually process occurring during the ontogeny of shrimp females. This work was aimed at studying the development of the thelycum in X. kroyeri under an ultrastructural view. The females were collected by trawling in the Ubatuba bay, (23o 25’S, 45o 03’W), Brazil and transported to the laboratory where there were anesthetized and each thelycum was dissected. The thelyca were fixed in glutaraldehyde 2.5% solution for 24 h and then followed the usual routine procedure for Scanning Electron Microscopic (QUANTA-200) and documented in digital pictures. In the adult females (> 10 mm carapace length) the thelycum is a single plate, smooth, broad originated in its most posterior region by the 8th thoracic segment. The anterolateral portion of this structure is characterized by a much reduced hood. The aperture of the thelycum is like a transverse ridge that extends from right to left. In the immature stages, when the thelycum begins its development, the ridge has a wide space between the plates, which becomes to narrow as it reaches the final development. The posterior plate growths gradually, covering part of the anterolateral plate. Both plates form a pocket underneath where spermatozoa are stored. During the development of the thelycum, the gonopores also change in form from a rounded to a curve-like structure with a significant increase in the number of setae. Only after acquiring such characteristics the female of X. kroyeri can be considered adult with respect to the secondary sexual characters. Financial support: first author CAPES fellowship.

95 Coquimbo - Chile 14- 17 October 2007 POSTER CONTRIBUTIONS

THE COMPLETE LARVAL DEVELOPMENT OF Epialtus sulcirostris STIMPSON, 1860 (CRUSTACEA: BRACHYURA: EPIALTIDAE) DESCRIBED FROM LABORATORY REARED MATERIAL García-Guerrero, M.U.1, Hendrickx, M.E.2 1 Departamento de Acuacultura, CIIDIR, Instituto Politécnico Nacional, Unidad Sinaloa, P.O. Box 280, Guasave, Sinaloa, 81100, México; 2 Unidad Académica Mazatlán, ICML, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, P.O. Box 811, Mazatlán, Sinaloa, México. E mail: [email protected]

The complete larval development of Epialtus sulcirostris Stimpson, 1860 reared under laboratory conditions is described, illustrated and compared with what is known of larvae of this genus. The development consists of two zoeal and one megalopa o o stage. At 25-28 C and 35 /oo salinity, the megalopa appeared after 15 days from hatching. Larvae of only three species of Epialtus are currently known (i.e., E. bituberculatus and E. brasiliensis, both from the west-Atlantic; E. minimus, from the east Pacific). In addition to the usual variations in maxillula and maxilla setation, compared with E. minimus, E. sulcirostis lacks the posterolateral spines on abdomen somites 3-5 of zoea I, and there are some additional variations in setal composition on 2nd and 3rd maxillipeds of zoeae. Megalopa are strikingly different and can be easily separated at first glance.

EFFECT OF CONSPECIFICS ON Petrolisthes laevigatus (DECAPODA: PORCELLANIDAE) SETTLEMENT IN SENO DE RELONCAVÍ Gebauer, P.1, Paschke, K.2 1 Centro de Investigaciones I-Mar. Universidad de Los Lagos. Puerto Montt; 2 Instituto de Acuicultura. Universidad Austral de Chile. Puerto Montt. E-mail: [email protected]

Numerous marine invertebrates have a complex life cycle, developing different stages in different environments. The coupling between the planktonic-benthic environments is possible through settlement. This is affected by both the characteristics of the environment and the species. Several marine invertebrate species respond to specific stimuli such as substrate type and presence of conspecifics for settlement and metamorphosis. The attraction of conspecifics in marine environments, commonly called gregarious settlement, has been proposed as a good settlement strategy as it can indicate habitat quality. P. laevigatus is an intertidal crab that forms patches of dense aggregations. The settlement period in Seno de Reloncaví, South Chile, lasts from October to March. The objective of the present study is to evaluate the relationship between the settlement and the presence of conspecifics in three sectors. Sector1, Bomba a) has small pebbles and shells; the population density fluctuates between 24 and 189 indiv*m-2 in May and November, respectively, with individuals between 1.6 and 13.4 mm carapace length (C.L.). Sector2, Alerce b) has larger pebbles over a muddy substrate, with shells and larger stones; density varies between 50 and 1260 indiv*m-2 and the size range is from 1.7 to 19.6 mm C.L. Sector3, Cancagua c) consists of a principle substrate of slabs of volcanic rock over sand and small pebbles; the population density in this sector is from 264 to 2449 indiv*m-2 and the size range varies between 1.5 to 18.7 mm C.L. The density of the juveniles-adults and the megalopae is different in the three sectors during the settlement season. In spite of these differences in density between the areas, the relationship between megalopae density and the conspecifics density is positive in all sectors (P<0.05). Funding: Programa Bicentenario de Ciencia y Tecnología CONICYT-Banco Mundial. Ecología y Nutrición larval de invertebrados marinos. Conicyt doctoral scholarship, Project DID-2001-12 Universidad Austral de Chile.

96 Coquimbo - Chile 14- 17 October 2007 POSTER CONTRIBUTIONS

SHAPE VARIATION IN THE COXA OF FIFTH PREREIOPOD OF SPECIMENS OF THE AEGLIDAE FAMILY (DECAPODA – ANOMURA) Giri, F. Instituto Nacional de Limnología (INALI-CONICET-UNL), José Maciá 1933, CP 3016, Santo Tomé, Santa Fe, Argentina. E- mail: [email protected]

These crabs of the Aeglidae family are endemic to southern South America and were the only family of the anomuran that live in freshwater habitats. In the present study geometric morphometric analysis of the coxa of fifth prereiopod of male’s crabs was done. This structure has importance like systematic character according with some authors. The individuals correspond to 4 species (Aegla uruguayana, A. platensis, A. riolimayana, and A. scamosa) selected according its distribution. Adult male coxa was extracted from individuals of the 4 species. Digital pictures in ventral view of the coxa were taken using a stereo zoom microscope (30X). A total of 10 landmarks were obtained (including 5 semilandmarks) and digitized. The configurations were superimposed through the GPA in the tpsRelw program. Shape variation among samples was first explored through the analysis of Relative Warp scores. The tpsRegr program was used to detect and visualize the relation between shape variables and size. This correlation was not significant. The Relative warps analysis suggests that the species reveal shape similarities among the coxa of A. uruguayana - A. platensis and A. scamosa - A. riolimayana showing a classical plot between two evolutionary group, “Pacific” species and the “Atlantic” species.

PRELIMINARY STUDY OF THE COMPOSITION OF PERACARIDS (CRUSTACEAN) FROM SUBMAREAL BOTTOM OFF CHILOÉ, X REGION, CHILE González, P. Centro tecnológico del salmón (Cetecsal S.A.), Sector piruquina s/n km 1170, Castro. E-mail: [email protected]

Peracarids are a very important group, they conform almost the 40% all over crustaceans over the world and they are dominant in benthic ecosystem (Barnes, 1990). This group has been poorly known in Chile, some works in amphipoda and isopoda have been mentioned in own country as (Gonzalez, 1991) and (Carvacho y Saavedra, 1994). Four important peracarids groups: Amphipoda, Cumacea, Isopoda and Tanaidacea were studied the composition in emphasis to abundance, biomass and frequency of locations. In this study they were examined 17 locations from different habitat in the submareal bottom off Chiloe. The amphipod group it was import in abundance (70%) and biomass (58%), Cumacea is a second group in abundance (13%) and isopoda in biomass (29%), Tanaidacea poorly represent only 2% of abundance and biomass. Amphipods was represented by 10 families, which Phoxocephalidae was the dominant family and it was present in 15 locations, this represent over 50 % of the total abundance of peracarids groups, in this family were characteristic the genus Heterophoxus, Arpinia and Microphoxus, other families frecuently were Phoxocephalopsidae, Ischyroceridae (genus: Jassa), Liljeborgiidae (genus Liljeborgia) and Haplocheira. The Isopods were found 3 families: Cirolanidae (Excirolana sp.), Idotheidae (Macrochiridothea and Cleantis) and Serolidae (Serolis), Excirolana was found in 8 locations, this genus represent over 50 % in total biomass of peracarids groups. The family Cumacea were: Dyastilidae (Anchystylis and Diastylis plamifrons), Leuconidae (Eudorella) and Bodotriidae, Diastylidae was present in 7 locations and Tanaidae was only one representative of Tanaidacea, however, this is frequently in 6 locations.

97 Coquimbo - Chile 14- 17 October 2007 POSTER CONTRIBUTIONS

TOWARD THE UNDERSTANDING OF BEING SEXUALLY MATURE IN THE FEMALES OF THE SPIDER CRAB Leurocyclus tuberculosus (Majoidea) FROM GOLFO NUEVO, ARGENTINA. González-Pisani, X 1,2, Barón, P. 1,2, López Greco, L.S. 2,3 1 CENPAT, Pto. Madryn, Chubut, Argentina; 2 CONICET; 3 Dept. of Biodiversity and Experimental Biology, FCEyN, University of Buenos Aires, Cdad. Univ. C1428EHA, Buenos Aires, Argentina. E-mail: [email protected]

Majoidea are known for having determinate growth with puberty moult (PM) being the last moult. Within the Eubrachyura, the PM is usually studied by means of morphometrical approaches that involve the change in the relative growth of the abdomen width (AW) related to a reference dimension (carapace width, CW or carapace length, CL). This work was aimed at determining the main features that change when PM occurs in Leurocyclus tuberculosus from golfo Nuevo (42ºS) Argentina. For this purpose 198 females were collected, measured and the following characters were observed: the absence/presence of the gonopores and their form, the shape of the pleon, the presence of eggs and the shape and color of the ovaries. According to the morphometric approach, the PM occurs between 40.33 mm and 48.43 mm CW. Immature females present a flat pleon, absence of gonopores below (8.06 mm CW) or presence but little differentiated gonopores and not developed ovaries neither seminal receptacles. The mature females have a rounded and convex pleon, open gonopores, developed ovaries varying in size and colour (white, pale orange, orange or red) according to the degree of ovarian maturation and seminal receptacles clearly differentiated. Ovigerous females were only recorded in females sized above 40.33 mm CW. These results show a similar pattern than Inachus and Maja species in which the PM represents both the change in shape of the pleon and the developing of the gonads and it is different from the genus Chionoecetes and Hyas in which although the change in shape of the pleon is evident at PM, the ovaries begin to develop during the immature stage. Since Majoidea is a taxon under discussion from the phylogenetic point of view, we consider that this kind of studies about functional morphology could be another tool for studying the relationships within this taxon. Financial support: PIP-CONICET 5835, PICT-ANPCYT 14700.

MACROCOSPIC AND HISTOLOGICAL CHARACTERIZATION OF THE SEMINAL RECEPTACLES IN Libinia spinosa (MAJOIDEA) González-Pisani, X 1,2, Barón, P.1,2, López Greco, L.S.2,3 1CENPAT, Pto. Madryn, Chubut, Argentina; 2CONICET; 3Dept. of Biodiversity and Experimental Biology, FCEyN, University of Buenos Aires, Cdad. Univ. C1428EHA, Buenos Aires, Argentina. E-mail: [email protected]

Within the framework of the study about the reproductive biology of the Majoidea from Patagonia, the aim of the present work was to characterize the morphology of the seminal receptacles (SR) in Libinia spinosa and to establish the relationship between the macroscopic and the histological structure. For this purpose we established four groups of SR according to the their shape: collapsed (I), flattened (II), partially swollen (III) and fully swollen (IV). Females were collected in golfo Nuevo, (42º S) Argentina. Eight sexually mature females were selected according to the mentioned groups. The SR were classified, dissected, and processed using the usual histological techniques for light microscopy. Histologically, the SR present an ectodermic portion delimited by a monolayer of cylindrical cells covered by a layer of cuticle whose thickness increases significantly towards the vagina. The mesodermic portion is lined by a cubic-cylindrical stratified descamative epithelium where the anchoring, proliferative and secretory strata were recognised. In the transition ecto-mesoderm the presence of folds and “velum” was observed, a character that L. spinosa shares with Inachus plalangium. The macroscopic differences were correlated with histological variations only when comparing the SR type (I-II) versus (III-IV) according to the degree of folding in the ecto-mesoderm transition and the thickness of the stratified epithelium Based on the macroscopic and microscopic observations, the connection of the oviduct to the SR is intermediate to ventral type, therefore our first prediction is that L. spinosa would present a system of copula of type “hard-mating system”. Anyway from this study we address the necessity to revaluate and discuss the concept of “dorsal” and “ventral” type of SR within Eubrachyura. Financial support: Fundación Antorchas (Proy. nro.- 4248-138), PIP-CONICET 5835, PICT-ANPCYT 14700.

98 Coquimbo - Chile 14- 17 October 2007 POSTER CONTRIBUTIONS

EFFECT OF PROTEIN SOURCE ON GROWTH AND ENERGETIC RESERVES OF JUVENILES OF THE COMMERCIAL CRAYFISH Cherax quadricarinatus Gutiérrez, M.L., Rodríguez, E.M. Dept. of Biodiversity and Experimental Biology FCEyN, University of Buenos Aires. Ciudad Universitaria, Pab. II, C1428EHA Buenos Aires, Argentina. E-mail: [email protected]

Four isoproteic (35%) and isocaloric (10% lipids and 20% carbohydrates) were assayed on early juveniles (initial weight: 23.793 ± 0.083 mg) of the crayfish C. quadricarinatus. These diets were (w/w percentage in the diet is indicated): SOY (65%, as expeller), FISH (51%, as flour), SQUID (63%, as hydrolyzed) and KRILL (55%, as flour). Survival, weight gain measured as ((Wax)/Wig) x 100, and specific growth rate measured as ((ln Wax – ln Wig)/ t) x 100, were determined (Wax: body weight at time x, Wig: initial weight, and t: time in days). After 90 days, the content of protein, glycogen, lipids and cholesterol was determined in both the hepatopancreas and muscle of all survival animals. Best survival was observed in both FISH and KRILL diets (a mean of 68%), following SOY (49.2 %), and finally SQUID diet (27.2%). Both weight gain and specific growth rate were similar among diets, with the exception of SQUID, which showed values significantly (p<0.05) lower than the remaining diets. Although a higher percentage of protein was observed in the hepatopancreas of animals fed on KRILL diet, those crayfish fed on SOY diet showed higher values of lipids and cholesterol. A similar pattern was also observed in muscle, where SOY yielded the highest values for all of the analyzed organic compounds. In conclusion, although SOY produced a higher (but not statistically different) mortality than FISH and KRILL, the higher levels of energetic reserves associated to the former diet, make SOY a very good candidate for replacing, at least partially, other protein sources of higher cost, therefore optimizing the culture of this highly valued commercial species.

POPULATION BIOLOGY OF Eudevenopus gracilipes (CRUSTACEA: AMPHIPODA) FROM NORTHERN CHILE. PRELIMINARY ASPECTS. Guzmán, G. Museo del Mar, Universidad Arturo Prat. Casilla 121, Iquique, Chile. E-mail: [email protected]

Eudevenopus gracilipes (Schellenberg, 1931) is a marine benthic amphipod living in shallow soft-bottom areas off northern Chile. It has been cited by Thomas & Barnard (1983) and more recently by Gonzalez (2004). Here I describe the preliminary aspect of the population biology of this species (e.g. fecundity, egg production, egg size, and sex proportion). This species has been collected in different zones of the northern of Chile from Arica (18°30 S Lat.) to Mejillones (23°S Lat.) in covering a depth range from 5 to 30 m water depth. The individuals used to this analysis were obtained using a 0.1 m2 van Veen grab at a fixed stations of 6 m deep in Cavancha beach. The sampling period was seasonally from autumn 2004 to autumn 2007 as part of a routine environmental monitoring survey. The abundance exhibited strong seasonal variations during the study period. In fact, no temporal pattern was identified. The sex proportion (males/females) of this species was 0.16. The average size varied between 2.42 ±0.64 mm CL (cephalic length) for non ovigerous females, and 2.48 ±0.84 mm CL for ovigerous females. The average size of males is slightly longer than females (2.56 ±0.84 mm CL). Egg production (between 1 and 7 embryos) and egg size (length: 1.96 ±0.13 mm, width: 1.48 ±0.13 mm) of E. gracilipes were recorded. It is important to note that two juveniles (embryos without pigmented eyes) were found in the marsupium of this species. The length of these juveniles is as long as a fifth part of the total length of the mother body size.

99 Coquimbo - Chile 14- 17 October 2007 POSTER CONTRIBUTIONS

DESCRIPTION OF THE MALE GENITAL STRUCTURES OF Hymenopenaeus doris (Faxon, 1893) BASED ON A SINGLE SPECIMEN CAPTURED IN THE GULF OF CALIFORNIA, MEXICO. Hendrickx, M.E. Unidad Académica Mazatlán, ICML, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de Mexico, P.O. Box 811, Mazatlán, Sinaloa, Mexico. E-mail: [email protected]

The genus Hymenopenaeus Smith, 1882, is known from the Atlantic, the eastern Pacific and the Indo-Pacific. Two species have ben recorded in the eastern Pacific (H. nereus and H. doris), both described by Faxon (1893) from samples collected by the Albatross in 1891 in deep water (>1900 m). Of H. doris only nine specimens were known up to 1976, when I. Pérez- Farfante revised the group. Additional material, including mature males, was collected off Baja California, Mexico, in 1979 and the petasma was briefly described by Y. Hanamura in 1983. Appendices masculina and interna have never been described. A large male specimen of H. doris was captured during the TALUD VII cruise, in the SE Gulf of California (June 2001) at a locality with depth of 1480-1520 m. This represents an opportunity to complete the description of genital structures. These are similar to H. nereus but present clear differences in the orientation of the two lateral processes of the ventromedian lobule and in the number of spines on mesial process, and in the shape of distal flap of the ventrolateral lobule (petasma); the appendix masculina is similar, while the appendix interna is more oval, without the typical abrupt narrowing seen in H. nereus, and the ventral lateral spur is much longer and narrow.

RECRUITMENT INTO ARTIFICAL SUBSTRATES IN AN INTERTIDAL ROCKY SHORE IN THE SOUTHWESTERN GULF OF MEXICO Hernández, C., Alvarez, F. Colección Nacional de Crustáceos, Instituto de Biología, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Apartado Postal 70-153, México 04510, D.F., México. E-mail: [email protected]

Recruitment into artificial substrates in marine habitats has helped to characterize community structure, species replacement patterns and seasonal variations in abundance. Artificial substrates are specially useful when sampling rocky substrates is difficult. Rocky intertidal substrates are scarce along the shoreline of the Gulf Mexico, where sandy beaches predominate; however in the southwestern portion they support a moderately diverse crustacean fauna of mainly Caribbean and Antillean affinity. Blocks measuring 13 x 25 x 7 cm were deployed in a shallow (1.5 m) pond on the protected side of a coral/polychaete outgrowth forming a barrier 40 m from the shore at La Mancha, Veracruz, Mexico. Twelve blocks were initially deployed, every two months two of the initial blocks were recovered and two new blocks were set out. The latter were recovered every two months to obtain the new seasonal recruits. In the 12 month recruitment blocks 10,651 organisms were collected: 94% were polychaetes, 4.3% crustaceans, 0.5% mollusks, and several other groups composed the remaining 1.2%. The first settled organisms in two-month old blocks were algae (encrusting and filamentous), sponges, polychaetes, bivalves, sea urchins, and barnacles. At four months, erect calcareous algae appeared together with stomatopods, peracarids and decapods. At 6 months sipunculids were found on the blocks. Cnidarians, ophiuroids and gastropods were the last groups to settle in the blocks. The crustacean fauna was dominated by peracarids, of which the amphipods represented about 75%. In the 2 month blocks barnacles, amphipods, tanaids and brachyurans were the dominant groups. The fauna collected in the artificial substrates is compared to the fauna present in the natural substrate in the area.

100 Coquimbo - Chile 14- 17 October 2007 POSTER CONTRIBUTIONS

A NEW SPECIES OF Parapinnixa (DECAPODA: BRACHYURA: PINNOTHERIDAE) FROM CUBAGUA ISLAND AND LOS FRAILES ARCHIPELAGO, VENEZUELA Hernández-Ávila, I.1, Campos, E.2 1 Laboratorio de Zoología, Escuela de Ciencias Aplicadas del Mar, Universidad de Oriente, Boca del Río, Margarita Island, Venezuela; 2 Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad Autónoma de Baja California, Apartado Postal 296, Ensenada, Baja California, 22800 México; E-mail: [email protected]

Based on female specimens, a new species Parapinnixa is described from Cubagua Island and Los Frailes Archipelago in the Caribbean Sea off Venezuela. The new species is distinguished from the other nominal species of the genus by having a third maxilliped with a biarticulate palp and the absence of an exopod. The genus Parapinnixa is amended to accommodate these two distinctive characters.

BENTHIC DECAPOD CRUSTACEANS (CRUSTACEA: DECAPODA) OF CUBAGUA ISLAND, VENEZUELA Hernández-Ávila, I.1, Gómez, A.2, Lira, C.1, Galindo, L.1 1 Laboratorio de Zoología, Escuela de Ciencias Aplicadas del Mar, Universidad de Oriente, Boca del Río, Margarita Island, Venezuela; 2 Departamento de Investigaciones, Museo Marino de Margarita, Boca del Río, Margarita Island, Venezuela; E- mail: [email protected]

The crustacean decapod fauna of Cubagua Island in the Caribbean Sea, Venezuela, an island much affected by coastal upweling, was surveyed. A total of 178 species from 41 families were recorded, of which 57 species were new records for the island; eigth genera and six species were new records for Venezuela. Most species had previously been recorded from the the Caribbean province, 19.7% were endemic for the province, 64.1% had affinities to the Brazilian province, 57.3% to the Texan and Carolinian provinces and 45.5% showed continuous distributions across the provinces but showing less endemism and more affinities with Brazilian province than the general trends of distributions of decapods in the Caribbean. It appears that upwelling processes around the island hinders the development of the typical Caribbean marine ecosystems. The proximity with the northern limit of the Brazilian province also affects the biodiversity of the island.

101 Coquimbo - Chile 14- 17 October 2007 POSTER CONTRIBUTIONS

INFLUENCE OF DEPTH, TEMPERATURE, DISSOLVED OXYGEN CONCENTRATION AND SEDIMENT COMPOSITION ON DISTRIBUTION OF BENTHIC SPECIES OF PENAEOIDEA IN THE GULF OF CALIFORNIA, MEXICO Herrera-Arriaga, J.C.1, 2, Hendrickx, M.E.2 1 Postgraduate Program, ICML, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México; 2 Unidad Académica Mazatlán, ICML, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, P.O. Box 811, Mazatlán, Sinaloa, México. E-mail: [email protected]

Ten species of Penaeidae, 11 species of Sycioniidae and three species of Solenoceridae are known from the Gulf of California. Mexico. During an exploratory survey of benthic communities accessible to trawling on the continental shelf of the Gulf of California (1981-1985), 19 species of benthic penaeoid shrimps were collected. Nine species were recognized as dominant and their affinity for environmental conditions was analyzed based on parameters measured at sampling localities (i.e., depth, epibenthic water temperature and dissolved oxygen concentration, and sediments composition). Among Penaeidae (3 spp) and Solenoceridae (1 sp), Metapenaeopsis mineri and Farfantepenaeus californiensis are more common in depths <45 m, while Solenocera mutator is more abundant in depths >75 m. Although moderate to strong tolerance to oxygen deficiency is noted for all species, it is much higher in M. mineri and S. mutator which also have a marked affinity for sediments made of at least 75% of sand. Among the Sicyoniidae (5 spp, all Sicyonia), all species except Sicyonia disdorsalis prefer water with epibenthic temperature <16oC. Depth vary with seasons. Although 4 out of 5 species are recorded at least once in water with less than 1 ml O2/l, best tolerance to low oxygen concentration is observed in S. ingentis. Two species have a clear affinity for sediments with >60% sand: S. penicillata and S. disedwardsi.

IMMIGRATION OFFICE: THE NIWA MARINE INVASIVES TAXONOMIC SERVICE Hosie, A., Ahyong, S., Jawad, L. NIWA, 301 Evans Bay Pde, Kilbirnie, Wellington, New Zealand. E-mail: [email protected]

The National Institute of Water and Atmospheric Research’s (NIWA) Marine Invasives Taxonomic Service (MITS) was established in late 2005 to coordinate the distribution, identification and data management for Biosecurity New Zealand’s growing number of marine biosecurity projects. Encompassing large scale surveys of ports and vessel hulls as well as small scale targeted surveillance, collections made by the public and even interceptions by customs, MITS has identified 7000 lots with a further 11000 in waiting. Crustacea is the most common group processed by MITS, constituting almost 28% followed by algae on 23%. Almost 200 crustacean species have been processed of which 87 are not indigenous to New Zealand

102 Coquimbo - Chile 14- 17 October 2007 POSTER CONTRIBUTIONS

INVASIVE CRUSTACEAN SPECIES IN CROATIAN SECTION OF THE DANUBE AND DRAVA RIVER Hudina, S., Žganec, K., Faller, M., Gottstein, S., Lajtner, J., Maguire I., Lucic, A., Erben, R. Department of Zoology, Faculty of Science, University of Zagreb, Croatia. E-mail: [email protected]

Within last several decades European rivers have been invaded by numerous non-indigenous species. As presence, distribution and impact of invasive aquatic species in Croatia is mostly unknown, a project aimed at determining invasive species status has recently been initiated at the Department of Zoology, Faculty of Science, University of Zagreb. This work presents initial results of the research on distribution of invasive crustacean fauna in Croatia. Research was conducted at 21 locations of the Croatian section of European second largest river, river Danube (10) and its tributary, river Drava (11). Baited LiNi traps and hand search were used for crayfish sampling and benthos nets for macrozoobenthos sampling. Literature data on invasive crustaceans in respective rivers in neighbouring countries were also gathered in order to detect potential records in bordering areas. Collected distribution data and a description of biology, invasion history and potential impact of recorded species are presented and discussed. Throughout our research we recorded one non-indigenous invasive decapod species (Orconectes limosus) and two invasive amphipod species (Dikerogammarus villosus and Dikerogammarus bispinosus). All three invasive crustaceans were found in Danube, while in Drava only D. villosus was recorded. As far as authors are aware, this is the first record of D. villosus in Drava, and most likely it spread from the Danube. It is assumed that at examined Danube sites, O. limosus has significantly displaced or reduced native narrow-clawed crayfish (Astacus leptodactylus) populations, since no narrow-clawed crayfish have been caught. Following the defined size classes for O. limosus, caught specimens were aged between 3 and 4 years, meaning that O. limosus population has been established in the area for at least 5 years. Since one of the records was only 3 kilometres downstream from the confluence with Drava, there is a potential risk of O. limosus spread to Drava watercourse.

MORPHOMETRIC RELATIONSHIPS IN Cyrtograpsus altimanus AND C. angulatus (GRAPSOIDEA, VARUNIDAE): SIZE/BIOMASS VS. GASTRIC MILL OSSICLES SIZE Huespe, A.V., Gómez-Simes, E., Pastor de Ward, C.T. 1 Centro Nacional Patagónico (CENPAT) – CONICET – Bvd. Brown 2825 - (9120) Puerto Madryn – Chubut – Argentina; 2 Universidad Nacional de la Patagonia “San Juan Bosco” (UNPSJB) – Fac. de Ciencias Naturales – Bvd. Brown 3700 – (9120) Puerto Madryn – Chubut – Argentina. E-mail: [email protected]

In Grapsoidea growing is better represented by carapace width. In this group of crabs several relationships have been studied between carapace length (CL) or width (CW) and other morphological measurements (chelae length and height, width of abdomen, etc.). However, any of these studies related morphology and biomass, except Rognone’s study (1984) performed in Cyrtograpsus angulatus considering this relationship expressed as wet weight. The present study focuses on both sexes of Cyrtograpsus altimanus and C. angulatus analyzing the relationships between morphological variables, including: CL vs. CW, CW vs. biomass measured as dry weight (DW), finally some gastric mill ossicles dimensions such as: zygocardiac length (ZL), urocardiac length and width (UroL, UroW), prepectineal/pectineal length (PL1), prepectineal/postpectineal length (PL2, PL3) and pterocardiac length (PtL) vs. CW. In C. altimanus and C. angulatus relationships found between CW and ossicle size vs. DW, for males and females, are represented by a power function. However, the relationship between ossicle size vs. CW is better explained by a linear function. Even though the regression slopes and the intercepts of the studied parameters significantly different between males and females it is very difficult to establish the sex based on them, since their size range is partially overlapped. The best size/biomass predictors are, in decreasing order, PL1, PL2, PL3, ZL, UroL, UroW and PtL. These last four are more useful when analyzing stomach contents, feces or regurgitated food of their predators, considering that these structures are more chitinized and it is highly probable to find them after the digestive process is completed.

103 Coquimbo - Chile 14- 17 October 2007 POSTER CONTRIBUTIONS

MONOPHYLY OF PHTISICIDAE (AMPHIPODA, CAPRELLIDEA) AND OTHER CAPRELLID FAMILIES SUPPORTED BY MOLECULAR PHYLOGENETIC ANALYSES Ito, A., Wada, H., Aoki, M.N. Graduate School of Life and Environmental Sciences, University of Tsukuba, 1-1-1 Tenno-dai, Tsukuba, Ibaraki 305-8572, Japan. E-mail: [email protected]

The Caprellidea, a suborder of the order Amphipoda (Crustacea, Peracarida), is characterized by degeneration of both the abdomen and pereopods 3 and 4. Because some species of Podoceridae (Gammaridea, Corophioidea), such as Dulichia, also show reduced pereopods and abdomen, they are generally regarded as a sister group of the Caprellidea. In addition, one of the caprellid families, the Caprogammaridae, retains some abdominal segments like the podocerid, although only rudimentary pereopods 3 and 4 similar to other caprellids are present; therefore, an evolutionary scheme (Dulichia–caprogammarids– caprellids) along gradual degeneration of these pereopods and abdomen has been suggested. However, the Phtisicidae (Caprellidea) has well-developed pereopods 3 and 4, while a degenerated abdomen is present. Because the Phtisicidae does not fit along the evolutionary scheme, some studies have suggested the polyphyly of the Phtisicidae and other caprellids. In this study, we examined the phylogenetic status of the Phtisicidae and other caprellids using 18S rDNA sequence data. The present analyses strongly suggested that the Phtisicidae and other caprellid families form a monophyletic clade; however, they did not support phylogenetic affinity between the Caprellidea and Dulichia. This is the first attempt to study the phylogenetic relationships of the Caprellidea by examining the evolutionary history of characteristic caprellid morphologies using a molecular phylogenetic approach.

ACTIVITY OF NA+-K+-ATPase IN A “FRESHWATER SHRIMP”, Palaemonetes argentinus (CARIDEA, PALAEMONIDAE): ONTOGENETIC CHANGES AND EFFECTS OF SALINITY Ituarte, R.B.1,3, López-Mañanes, A.1,3, Spivak, E.D.1,3, Anger, K.2 1 Departamento de Biología, Casilla de Correo 1245, Universidad de Mar del Plata, 7600 Mar del Plata, Argentina; 2 Biologische Anstalt Helgoland, 3 Comisión Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET). E-mail: [email protected]

Embryos, larvae and adults of the shrimp Palaemonetes argentinus tolerate a wide range of salinities, but osmoregulatory capacities have been demonstrated only in post-embryonic stages. Like in many other crustaceans, little is known about osmoregulation during the embryonic phase. In the present investigation, ontogenetic changes in the activity of one of the key enzymes involved in the osmoregulation of crustaceans, Na+-K+-ATPase, were studied in the following life-history stages: (1) in embryos at an early (soon after egg laying; SI), an intermediate (SII), and a late stage of embryonic development (near larval hatching, SIII); (2) after hatching (Zoea-I stage, ZI); (3) in adult shrimps; (4) in isolated gill tissues from adults. All stages were abruptly transferred to 1, 15 and 25 PSU, and Na+-K+-ATPase activity was determined after 24 (embryos, larvae) or 48 hs (adults, gill tissues). Na+-K+-ATPase activity was lowest in SI and SII, maximum in SIII, and intermediate values were measured in the ZI and in adults. Increasing Na+-K+-ATPase activity during late embryonic development, with highest levels just prior to hatching (SIII), suggest that the osmoregulatory functions of P. argentinus are expressed during a late embryonic stage. Comparing different salinity treatments, late embryonic Na+-K+-ATPase activity (in SIII) was always higher at 15 PSU than at 1 and 25 PSU. By contrast, the enzyme activity in isolated gill tissues was higher at both 15 and 25 PSU than at 1 PSU. Changes in Na+-K+-ATPase activity under hyperosmotic conditions indicate that gill tissue are involved in the osmoregulation of adult shrimps. As these tissues are absent in embryonic and early larval stages, ion-transporting cells must be located elsewhere during these early ontogenetic phases.

104 Coquimbo - Chile 14- 17 October 2007 POSTER CONTRIBUTIONS

METABOLIC RESPONSE OF THREE SPECIES OF POLAR NECROPHAGIC AMPHIPODS TO GLUTAMIC ACID Janecki, T., Kidawa, A., Markowska, M. Department of Antarctic Biology PAS, ul. Ustrzycka 10/12, 02 141 Warsaw, Poland. E-mail: [email protected]

Three species of a common, necrophagic Amphipods: Onisimus littoralis (from the Arctic), Abyssorchomene plebs and Bovalia gigantea (from the Antarctic) were the objects of this study. All of them occurs in the similar habitats: bottom of shallow waters and intertidal zone. Various chemical substances dissolved in the water can be recognized as chemical signals informing several marine animals about food sources, and may induce in them certain defined reactions. Amino acids are a basic components of proteins, and in the bodies of animals glutamic acid is one of the major exogenic amino acids. GLU released from food can increase of the oxygen consumption and also change behaviour of necrophagic, marine invertebrates. Starvation increases this effect. In laboratory conditions GLU of the concentration of 10mM was found to be an attractant for the necrophagous amphipods, and it has clearly increased their metabolic rate of Onissimus litoralis by 30%, Bovalia gigantea by 82% and Abyssorchomene plebs by 300%. GLU is involved in chemoreception processes and it play an important role as a universal food signal for similar species of necrophagous Amphipods from both polar regions. This kind of reactions of animals to chemical signals can be an important adaptation for active food searching processes, and also may modify spatial and temporal structure of benthic community from Arctic and Antarctic waters. The work was financed by the State Committee for Scientific Research grant K100/P04/2004.

KNOWLEDGE OF THE MARINE DECAPODS AND STOMATOPODA CRUSTACEAN FROM PERU Kameya, A. Instituto del Mar del Perú.IMARPE. O.P. BOX 22 Callao, Perú. E-mail: [email protected]

The Peruvian marine decapods have been studied since 1800. The first studies were carried out by foreign expeditions, mainly focused on taxonomy, geography and bathymetrical distribution. Rathbun (1910) mentioned that the d'Orbigny expedition to South America during 1826-1833 significantly improved the knowledge about marine decapods from Peru and Chile. Kinahan (1857) published the first list of crustaceans of Peru, with 24 species registered. From 1910 to 1998, several lists and keys about marine decapods were published: Chirichigno 1970; Del Solar 1970; Del Solar and Mistakides 1971; Mendez, 1972, Méndez and Aguilar 1976, 1977; Méndez, 1981; Kameya et al. 1998; Méndez 1982. New records and new species from Peru were added by Del Solar, Méndez and Wicksten. Those reports were based on specimens collected with different scientific research vessels such as R/V Anton Bruun where Del Solar registered for the first time the deep-sea shrimp Heterocarpus vicarius, which stimulated additional studies. New explorations were carried out aboard foreign scientific vessel, mainly Japanese and Russians. From 1970-72 IMARPE carried out several explorations along the Peruvian coast aboard BIC SNP-1 to investigate potential crustacean resources. Later, in 1990 aboard Fridtjof Nansen and in 1996 aboard BIC Humboldt, IMARPE carried out explorations to investigate biomass, sex ratio, size composition, as well as oceanographic conditions. Presently, a key to Marine Decapods Brachyurans from Peruvian coast is being reviewed for future publication. Also an inventory of the crustacean from the Peruvian coast is being elaborated. On the other hand, there is a lack of knowledge about behavior, populations dynamics, genetics variability, physiology, reproductive cycles, and evolutionary relationships and biogeography of different crustaceans. Only a few studies on biology or fisheries of crustaceans have been done (Cancer setosus, C. porteri, Platyxanthus orbignyi, Grapsus grapsus, Emerita analoga, Pleuroncodes monodon, Litopenaeus vannamei, Farfantepenaeus californiensis, and others).

105 Coquimbo - Chile 14- 17 October 2007 POSTER CONTRIBUTIONS

MORTALITY RATES OF THE COMMERCIAL BLUECRABS Callinectes danae AND Callinectes ornatus (CRUSTACEA: PORTUNIDAE) IN A TROPICAL BRAZILIAN BAY Keunecke, K.A., Verani, J.R., D’Incao, F., Vianna, M. Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Instituto de Biologia, Depto. Biologia Marinha, Laboratório de Biologia e Tecnologia Pesqueira, CCS-Bl.A, 21949-900, Cidade Universitária, Ilha do Fundão, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. E-mail: [email protected]

Callinectes danae Smith, 1869 and Callinectes ornatus Ordway, 1863 constitute an important portion from the fishing products at Guanabara Bay being discarded a lot during shrimp trawlings at Brazilian coast. The instantaneous mortality rates Z, M, F and the exploited rates E for both species and for both sexes were estimated. Total mortality (Z) was estimated by length converted catch curves and natural mortality (M) was based on life-history analysis where K and t0 were parameters of the Von Bertalanffy Growth Function. Fishing mortality (F) was calculated by the difference between total mortality (Z) and natural mortality (M). The explotation rate (E) was calculated by the quocient between fishing and total mortality: E = F/Z. Fishing mortality rates presented similar values of F for both species and for both sexes, except for the females of C. ornatus that presented a high value of fishing mortality and an elevated exploited rate (0,89). This such high value could be resulted from intense trawling fisheries at the region and from the migration pattern of C. ornatus to other coastal areas during the reproductive period.

THE ROLE OF AMINO ACIDS IN CHEMOSENSORY BEHAVIOUR OF TWO ARCTIC CRABS, Hyas araneus AND Eupagurus pubescens Kidawa, A., Markowska, M., Janecki, T. Department of Antarctic Biology PAS, ul. Ustrzycka 10/12, 02 141 Warsaw, Poland. E-mail: [email protected]

Chemical signals are extensively used by marine invertebrates in many situations such as searching for food or mates, locating favorable microhabitats, avoiding predators or competitors. It is especially important for animals living under low light conditions, such as those typical for turbid Arctic fjords with high amounts of inorganic suspension from glacial discharge. Previous studies have shown that even single amino acids can serve as important food signals, stimulating feeding behaviour in many marine invertebrates. Experiments were carried out to study the impact of two amino acids (glutamic acid and arginine) and natural food extract on the behavioural responses of two Arctic crabs – the spider crab Hyas araneus and the hermit crab Eupagurus pubescens from Grønfjorden (Spitsbergen). Crabs responded to natural food extract by maxilliped movements, chela probing, movements of the first pair of walking legs and locomotion. Glutamic acid and arginine were detected by both tested crab species, evoking in them a strong behavioural reaction. Such response shows that E. pubescens and H. araneus have the ability to react and initiate food finding processes in response to fragmentary information carried by single amino acids such as glutamic acid or arginine, and that both species rely on chemoreception as an important source of information about their environment. The work was financed by the State Committee for Scientific Research grant K100/P04/2004.

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DISTRIBUTION PATTERNS OF AMPHIPODS IN RELATION TO SALINITY IN THE DELTA OF THE NERETVA RIVER, CROATIA Kipson, S., Žganec, K., Gottstein, S. Department of Zoology, Faculty of Science, University of Zagreb, Rooseveltov trg 6, HR-10000 Zagreb, Croatia. E-mail: [email protected]

The Amphipod fauna of the Neretva delta was sampled between April 1993 and November 1997 using a benthos net and Petersen grab. Six species of Amphipods were identified at 14 study sites covering the salinity gradient from oligohaline (0.5-5 ppt) to polyhaline (18-24 ppt) waters: Corophium orientale Schellenberg, Echinogammarus acarinatus (S. Karaman), Echinogammarus pungens (H. Milne Edwards), Echinogammarus thoni (Schäferna), Gammarus balcanicus Schäferna and Leptocheirus pilosus Zaddach. The Adriatic Sea drainage basin species, E. thoni is the most widespread and dominant amphipod whose presence was observed at almost all study sites. This study revealed 9 new records of E. thoni. The greatest number of species (5) was recorded in the Neretva River in mesohaline waters, due to mixing of freshwater to brackish water amphipods with the Adriatic sea species, that occurs in the mouth part of the river. The high diversity (4 species) was also noted in freshwater springs where Gammarus balcanicus was the most frequent species. The records of Echinogammarus acarinatus were very rare and exclusively occurred at spring localities. The lowest diversity was observed in the freswater lakes (1 species) since they represent isolated habitats. This is the first record of two tube dwelling amphipods Corophium orientale and Leptocheirus pilosus in the delta of the Neretva River. The euryhaline Mediterranean endemic species C. orientale occurs exclusively in brackish water with the widest salinity range. The other species recorded in the Neretva delta are found both in fresh- and brackish water.

REPRODUCTIVE ASPECTS AND FECUNDITY IN THE FRESHWATER CRABS Trichodactylus borellianus (BRACHYURA, TRICHODACTYLIDAE) IN LA PLATA SYSTEM, ARGENTINA König, N., Williner, V. Instituto Nacional de Limnología (INALI-CONICET-UNL), José Macia 1933, 3016 Santo Tomé, Santa Fe, Argentina. Fac.Hum.yCs. UNL. E-mail: [email protected]

Trichodactylus borellianus is a common freshwater crab species of the Trichodactylidae family from South America. Its natural habitat is the aquatic vegetation mainly roots and leaves of Eicchornia sp. Besides, the species occur on objects in the sediment of the margins of shallow lakes, streams and rivers. The objective of this study was to analyze the fecundity and reproductive aspects of this freshwater crab in La Plata systems. This study was carried out in three environments of the Paraná river according to a transect between the main channel and the floodplain. Trichodactylus borellianus populations were sampled during 2001, 2002, 2003 y 2004. Individuals were separated into females, males and juveniles. The presence of ovigerous females was recorded at each sampling occasion. In the laboratory, the following procedure was followed for each crab: carapace width (CW) was determined and the egg mass was removed and all eggs were counted and the size was measured with TPSdig software after digital photography. The relationship between fecundity and carapace width was analyzed by linear regression. A significantly greater number of females were observed in all samples. Ovigerous females appeared in late winter (August), being present until March with a higher occurrence in November and January. The observed carapace width of the smallest ovigerous female is 8.5 mm. The fecundity of T. borellianus female caught at La Plata system was 101 ± 26 eggs. The mean egg size was 0.93 ± 0.079 mm diameter. The relationship between body size and fecundity showed a significant correlation. The egg eclosion do not occur in a same day, being this asynchronicity observed according to the maturity degree and on the location below of the pleopods.

107 Coquimbo - Chile 14- 17 October 2007 POSTER CONTRIBUTIONS

PRESENCE OF THE CARNITINE PALMITOYLTRANSFERASE I ACTIVITY IN THE HEPATOPANCREAS OF Macrobrachium borellii Lavarías, S., Pasquevich, Y., Dreon, M.S., Pollero, R., Heras, H. Instituto de Investigaciones Bioquímicas de La Plata INIBIOLP (CONICET-UNLP). E-mail: [email protected]

Carnitine palmitoyltransferase-I (CPT-I) catalyzes the conversion of acyl-CoA to acylcarnitine at the outer mitochondrial membrane and is a key enzyme in the control of long-chain fatty acid oxidation. In a previous work, we reported the activities of the activation and β-oxidation of palmitic acid in hepatopancreas mitochondrias of the freshwater crustacean M. borellii, two of the key pathways of the fatty acid catabolism. The aim of this work was to characterize the CPT I enzymatic activity in this species. Activity was assayed using palmitoyl-CoA and L-carnitine as substrates and following the release of CoA-SH spectrophotometrically by the Ellman reactive reaction. We observed a linear relationship between the mitochondrial protein and the enzyme activity up to 66.7 µg/ml. A large temperature dependence was observed with an optimum value at 34°C, and the optimum pH value for CPT I was 8.0. The Hill coefficient, was approximately 1 using palmitoyl-CoA, indicating a Michaelis-Menten behavior. The kinetic parameters, Km and Vmax were 92.2 µmol.l-1, and 16 nmol. min-1. mg protein-1, respectively. When the L-carnitine was studied as substrate the kinetic parameters, Km and Vmax were 2.181 mmol.l-1, and 30.2 nmol. min-1. mg protein-1, respectively. The effect of vertebrate mitochondria inhibitors such as Malonyl-CoA was also studied. This is the first report about the presence of CPT I in crustaceans which appears to have lower affinity but higher Vmax for the substrate than CPT I from other taxa.

THE BIO-ECOLOGY OF THE BLUE CRAB, CALLINECTES AMNICOLA (DE ROCHEBURNE) FROM BADAGRY, LAGOS AND LEKKI LAGOONS, SOUTH-WESTERN NIGERIA Lawal-Are, A. O., Kusemiju K. Department of Marine Sciences, University of Lagos, Lagos, Nigeria. E-mail: [email protected]

The blue crab, Callinectes amnicola (De Rocheburne) occurs in the three interconnecting lagoons of Badagry, Lagos and Lekki in south-western Nigeria. The physico-chemical parameters of the lagoons were monitored over a period of two years. The abundance, food habits, size composition, growth pattern, reproductive biology and heavy metal contents of the crabs were studied. The major ecological variable in the lagoons was salinity. Badagry Lagoon was low brackish (0.0 – 10.0‰), Lagos Lagoon high brackish (1.0 – 24.5‰) while Lekki was freshwater (0.0 – 3.0‰). The growth pattern of the crabs showed a negative allometric growth. The species was an opportunistic omnivore, feeding mainly on fishes, crustaceans, gastropods, bivalves, annelids and occasionally plant materials. Immature, developing, ripening, ripe and spent maturity stages were observed. Spawning occurred between March and June with berried females found only in Lagos Lagoon. The fecundity estimates varied from 478,000 to 4,480,500 eggs and the diameter of the eggs varied from 0.20 to 0.35 mm. Three major developmental stages of oocytes were observed, the primary oocytes, secondary oocytes and tertiary vitellogenic oocyte. The crabs tolerated a salinity range of 5‰ – 25‰. C. amnicola molted in different salinities but complete molting was observed in 15‰ salinity. The trace metal contents of the crab from the Lagos Lagoon, a highly polluted environment were analysed using atomic absorption spectrophotometry. Chromium, zinc, lead, iron and manganese were found in the crab flesh and eggs. The highest values for the trace metals were obtained during the dry season (0.24µgg-1 to 126.4µgg-1). Values during the rainy season ranged from 0.01µgg-1 to 2.08µgg-1. The concentrations of the trace metals were however below the recommended safe level permissible for human consumption by the WHO and FAO.

108 Coquimbo - Chile 14- 17 October 2007 POSTER CONTRIBUTIONS

ON THE BOPYRID ISOPODS FROM THE COLOMBIAN PACIFIC COAST Lazarus-Agudelo, J.F.1, Roccatagliata, D.2 1 ECOMANGLARES – Departamento de Biología, Ciudad Universitaria Meléndez - Edificio 320, Universidad del Valle, Cali, Colombia; 2 Departamento de Biodiversidad y Biología Experimental, Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales, Universidad de Buenos Aries, Ciudad Universitaria, C1428EHA Buenos Aires, Argentina. E-mail: [email protected]

During a recent survey on the Porcellanidae from the Buenaventura and Málaga Bays (Pacific coast of Colombia), 12 species of this family infested by isopod bopyrids were captured. These crabs were collected on natural or artificial hard substrates, mainly from October 2004 to November 2005. The species recorded and the number of specimens infested are: Petrolisthes edwardsii (de Saussure, 1853) (44); Petrolisthes agassizii Faxon, 1893 (34); Pachycheles panamensis Faxon, 1893 (24); Petrolistes haigae (Chace, 1962) (20); Pisidia magdalenensis (Glassell, 1936) (5); Petrolisthes zacae Haig, 1968 (3); Pachycheles crassus (A. Milne Edwards, 1869) (2); Megalobrachium festai (Nobili, 1901) (2); Neopisosoma bicapillatum Haig, 1960 (1); Neopisosoma mexicanum (Streets, 1871) (1); Pachycheles calculosus Haig, 1960 (1); Petrolisthes ortmanni Nobili, 1901 (1). Besides, two other decapod species harbouring bopyrids on their gill chambers were also collected in this area: five grapsoid crab Grapsus grapsus (Linnaeus, 1758) and a caridean shrimp of the genus Synalpheus sp. Lastly, an additional infested porcellanid crab, Pachycheles biocellatus (Lockington, 1878), was collected in Malpelo Island. From the entire west coast of South America only a few infested decapods have been recorded so far. Although there is reason to believe that there are actually fewer bopyrids along the western South American coast than in other regions, the astonishing number of parasitized decapods herein reported (15 species) strongly suggests that this fauna is underestimated. This research was partially supported by COLCIENCIAS and the Universidad del Valle (Project p-2006-0031).

BRACHYURAN AND ANOMURAN BY CATCH OF COMMERCIAL CRAB TRAPPING IN THE NORTH PATAGONIAN ATLANTIC COAST, ARGENTINA Leal, G.A., González-Pisani, X., Barón, P.J. National Patagonian Center – CONICET. E-mail: [email protected]

In the Atlantic coast of northern Patagonia (41º-43ºS) three brachyuran species (Platyxanthus patagonicus, P. crenulatus and Ovalipes trimaculatus) are considered to have potential to develop a crab fishery. Although trapping is considered one of the most selective fishing methods, many organisms may be captured as by catch of commercial crabs. The objective of this work is to analyze the composition and relative abundance of brachyuran and anomuran species captured as by-catch of commercial crab species during a trapping research survey conducted in northern Patagonian waters from August of 2004 to June of 2006. A total of 732 cylindrical traps baited with hake were deployed at depths ranging from 0 to 90 meters. Non-commercial benthic brachyuran and anomuran captured included Leurocyclus tuburculosus, Munida gregaria (= M. subrugosa), Peltarion spinosulum, Leucypa pentagona, Libinia spinosa and Coenophtalmus tridentatus. Out of 6717 crabs captured, 68.46% belonged to non-commercial species. L. tuberculosus and M. gregaria were respectively the most abundant non-commercial crabs respectively in the northernmost (San Matias Gulf) and southernmost (Nuevo Gulf) areas of the sampling latitudinal range. Effects of crab trapping on non-commercial species must be study to gain ecosystemic perspective on the stress produced by the fishing activity.

109 Coquimbo - Chile 14- 17 October 2007 POSTER CONTRIBUTIONS

MEAT YIELD IN THE SOUTH AMERICAN STONE CRAB Platyxanthus patagonicus Leal, G.A.1, Dima, J.B.2, Barón, P.J.1,2 1 Chubut Academic Unit, National Technological University (UTN), Puerto Madryn, Argentina; 2 Centro Nacional Patagónico (CONICET), Puerto Madryn, Argentina. E-mail: [email protected]

Like other stone crabs such as Menippe mercenaria and Homalaspis plana, the Patagonian stone crab Platyxanthus patagonicus has conspicuously large chelipeds that confer the species a particular potential for commercial exploitation. Since management rules for this and other kind of fishing resource should be focused not only in regulating the extractive activity but also must point out to an optimal yield at processing, it was recognized that information on crab meat yield in relation to size and sex may represent useful information. Aiming to provide a meat yield analysis for P. patagonicus, a total of 115 P. patagonicus individuals (56 females and 59 males) were captured with baited traps and by SCUBA diving in waters of Atlantic coast of northern Patagonia. Specimens were sized and measured, and after carapace and glandular and reproductive tissue removal, individually boiled in salty water for 25 minutes in a pressure cocker and subsequently dipped in ice water before meat manual extraction. Meat from the chelipeds and sternal insertion of the waking legs in the body was removed separatedly and weighed at 0.01 g in a Mettler scale. Average (± standard deviation) fresh meat yield (as percentage of fresh meat relative to total weight) was 24.4 ± 8.5 %. Meat yield was lower in females (18.25 ± 4.4%) than in males (30.15 ± 7.3 %). In the last, meat content of the chelipeds represented 70 % of total meat content. Meat yield increased with size of the crabs. Results of this work are being used in the design of an economic processing line for small enterprises in Patagonia. Funding support: PFIP COFECYT 2005

EFFECTS OF RHIZOCEPHALAN INFESTATION ON THE PATAGONIAN STONE CRAB Platyxanthus patagonicus Leal, G.A.1, Carsen, A.E.2, Kroeck, M.A.3, Barón, P.J.1 1 Centro Nacional Patagónico (CONICET); 2 Management Comission of the La Plata River; 3 IBM. Almirante Storni (UNComa). E-mail: [email protected]

Platyxanthus patagonicus is the only brachyuran known to host a rizocephalan parasite on the Atlantic Coasts of Patagonia. Even though the effects of rizocephalan on the physiology of many decapods are well documented, these have not been studied in P. patagonicus. The objective of this work was to determine the intensity and prevalence of a “sacculina-like” rhizocephalan on P. patagonicus through a latitudinal gradient, and to describe the anatomical and physiological changes experienced by the host. A total of 2076 P. patagonicus individuals (1243 females and 833 males) were sampled with traps and by SCUBA diving in waters of San Matias (41º-42ºS), San Jose (42º15’-42º25’S) and Nuevo (42º15’-43ºS) gulfs from November of 2002 to March of 2007. Also, a data set of 1121 crabs (527 females and 594 males) captured by Otter trawling on the coastal shelf from Rawson Port to Escondida Island (43º15’-43º50’S) from June of 1988 to November 1989 was included in the analysis. All crabs were examined for the presence of rhizocephalan externae as an indicator of infestation. Parasitized crab sex was determined by examination of gonopore/gonopod presence. Overall intensity was 1.04 externae per crab. Parasitized males showed underdeveloped chelipeds, pleon widening, female-like pleopods and absence of male gonopods. Parasitized females lacked internal pleopod setae and displayed underdeveloped ovaries and normal-sized chelipeds. A total of 65 (35 males and 20 females) parasitized crabs were identified out of 3197 individuals examined. Altogether, prevalence was higher in males (2.45%) than in females (1.13%). Prevalence declined from northernmost (San Matias Gulf; 12.7% in males, 3.7% in females) to the southernmost (Escondida Island; 0.67% in males, 0.95% in females) sampling area. Differences in rhizocephalan prevalence between sexes and latitude may influence the operational sex ratios and reproductive potential of P. patagonicus populations, deserving consideration in the design of shellfisheries management rules. Financial Support: PICT-ANPCYT 14700

110 Coquimbo - Chile 14- 17 October 2007 POSTER CONTRIBUTIONS

SEX DIFFERENCIATION OF Carcinus maenas BY ANALYSIS OF CARAPACE GEOMETRICAL MORPHOMETRY Ledesma, F.M.1, Van der Molen, S.2, Barón, P.J.1,2 1 Chubut Academic Unit, National Technological University (UTN), Puerto Madryn, Argentina; 2 Centro Nacional Patagónico (CONICET), Puerto Madryn, Argentina. E-mail: [email protected]

The European green crab Carcinus maenas is a widely spread invasive species introduced to coastal waters of Eastern and Western North America, Australia, Japan, South Africa, and recently to Eastern South America (Patagonia). Analysis of size (carapace width: CW) frequency distribution (SFD´s) may help to understand the size structure of the invasive population throughout the invaded geographical ranges, to differentiate the growth instars and to draw conclusions about the dispersal dynamics of the species. Collection of C. maenas carapaces on the intertidal wrack of the Patagonian shore has provided abundant material to build SFD´s. However, since growth rates (and consequently size at instar) differ between sexes, finding a method to differentiate crab sex through the observation of carapace morphology was necessary to allow the construction of independent SFD´s for each sex. Aiming to find such a method, carapaces of live C. maenas males (N = 20, CW range: 59-94 mm) and females (N = 20, CW range: 40-82 mm) were dissected, thoroughly cleaned, dried and photographed from several angles. Profiles of the projections of carapace external surfaces on a transverse plane were obtained by image digitalization. The form of male and female profiles was statistically analyzed using a Fourier Analysis geometric morphometry technique. Additionally, the 40 carapaces corresponding to crabs of known sex were blindly-assigned to either sex by two independent observers. In males, profiles showed marked concavities on the lateral ends, corresponding to the latero-upwardly pointing lateral spines, while in females the lateral ends of the profiles were rect, corresponding to laterally pointing lateral spines. Significant statistical differences between male and female profiles resulted from the Fourier Analysis. One hundred percent correct sex assignation by the two independent observers proved that carapace morphology differences are conspicuous enough to differentiate crab sex by direct observation of carapaces.

NEMATODE INFESTATION IN THE VISCERAL MASS OF THE MANGROVE CRAB, Sesarma rectum, FROM UBATUBA, SÃO PAULO, BRAZIL Leme, M.H.A.1, Nadler S.A.2, Okazaki, R.K.3 1 Centro de Ciências Biológicas e da Saúde, Universidade Presbiteriana Mackenzie, Rua da Consolação, 930, CEP 01302907, São Paulo, Brasil. 2 Department of Nematology, One Shields Ave., University of California Davis, CA 95616-8668, USA. 3 Department of Zoology; Weber State University; 2505 University Circle, Ogden, UT 84403-2505, USA. E-mail: [email protected]

We report the infestation of juvenile (presumably third-stage larval) nematodes in the mangrove crab, Sesarma rectum, collected from the mangroves of Praia Dura (23o29’S and 45o09’W) near Ubatuba, São Paulo, Brazil, in June, 2006. After the carapaces of 18 crabs were removed, we observed 10 larval nematodes in a female crab and 7 in a male crab. The nematodes ranged from ~5 to 10 mm in length. They were found in the hemocoelomic fluid and nestled primarily in the gonadal/digestive cecae region. Morphological examination revealed that all the nematodes belong to the order Spirurida, with features consistent with the genera, Acuaria, Skrjabinocerca and Ancyracanthopsis. These nematodes probably do not mature in the crabs, but use them as a paratenic host while the definitive host could be bird predators. Future collection of the worms are planned to conduct DNA analysis for further identification of this nematode to the genus-species level.

111 Coquimbo - Chile 14- 17 October 2007 POSTER CONTRIBUTIONS

REPRODUCTIVE ASPECTS OF Chthamalus proteus DANDO & SOUTHWARD, 1980 AND Chthamalus bisinuatus PILSBRY, 1916 (CIRRIPEDIA: THORACICA) FROM SE BRAZIL Linhares, E.M., Pitombo, F.B. Departamento de Biologia Marinha, Universidade Federal Fluminense, CP 100.644. Niterói, RJ CEP 24001-970, Brazil. E- mail: [email protected]

Chthamalus have a global distribution, along Brazilian coast it is represented by two species: Chthamalus proteus and Chthamalus bisinuatus. The reproductive aspects to both species are characterized: brooding activity, egg size and number of eggs, minimum size of reproduction and distribution. Thirty animals were monthly collected in Niterói-RJ, between June 2003 and March 2006. Number of eggs of both Chthamalus was similar, varying between 140 to 1600, close to values of others Chthamalus from tropical regions. The smallest with eggs had 3mm R-C in both species and the biggest had 10 and 8mm for C. bisinuatus and C. Proteus, respectively. Although, the eggs sizes of C. bisinuatus are significantly greater (mean = 200µm) than C. proteus (mean = 184µm), they are similar to others Chthamalus species of temperate regions indicating that this difference may not reflect ecological, but genetic factors. The populations of C. proteus and C. bisinuatus reproduce continuously, without peaks. This may be related to the concentration of nutrients present at the entire year or to the fact that species present a tropical reproductive pattern. Chthamalus proteus is found in great abundance in protected areas and in inferior stratum of the midlittoral zone, always below C. Bisinuatus. Chthamalus Bisinuatus occurs in great abundance in the upper strata of the intertidal zone from the exposed shores. The particularities of microhabitats in the study area haven´t seem to influence the characters here presented.

FIRST RECORD OF Apiomithrax violaceus (BRACHYURA: PISIDAE) FOR THE CARIBBEAN SEA Lira, C., Bolaños, J., Hernández, G., Hernández, J. Universidad de Oriente, Núcleo Nueva Esparta, P.O.Box. 658 Porlamar 6301 Venezuela. E-mail: [email protected]

Family Pisidae Dana, 1851 is represented in Venezuela by five species (Chorinus heros, Herbstia depressa, Libinia ferreirae, Notoplas brasiliensis and Sphenocarcinus corrosus) representing 16.7% of the Pisidae crabs reported for the Caribbean sea. During an examination of undeterminated material belonging to the crabs collection of the Laboratory of Carcinology of Universidad de Oriente, Margarita Island, Venezuela, seven specimens (5 males and 2 females) of Apiomithrax violaceus (A, Milne Edwards, 1868) were recorded, a Pisidae crab whose distribution range was hitherto Mauritania to Angola at East Atlantic, Ascension Island at Central Atlantic and Brazil at West Atlantic. All the specimens were collected at Venezuelan sea waters, at the following places, Margarita island: Playa Valdés (2 males, March 1995; 2 males, August 2006).- Península de Macanao (1 female, no collection date.- Boca Chica, 1 female, October 2005).- Sucre State (mainland): Guayacán (1 male, july 2004). Males sizes ranged 22.3 - 48.9 mm large of carapace (CL) and 20.6 - 48.1 mm width of carpace (CW) since females varied from 28.7 mm to 29.3 mm CL and 24.9 - 26.9 mm CW. This is more northerly record of the species and is the first time to be reported for the Caribbean sea, increasing to 14 and 6 species of Pisidae for the Caribbean Province an Venezuela, respectively.

112 Coquimbo - Chile 14- 17 October 2007 POSTER CONTRIBUTIONS

NATURAL DIET OF Ligia exotica ROUX, 1828 (CRUSTACEA, ISOPODA, LIGIIDAE) IN THE ESTUARY OF PATOS LAGOON, RIO GRANDE DO SUL STATE, BRAZIL Lopes-Leitzke, E.R., da Silva e Sousa, C.W., Azevedo Longaray, D., D’Incao, F. Laboratório de Crustáceos Decápodos, Departamento de Oceanografia, FURG. Avenida Itália, Km 8, 96201-900, Rio Grande, Rio Grande do Sul. E-mail: [email protected]

Isopods are examples of the evolutive transition of the crustaceans from sea to land, existing typically aquatic and terrestrial forms. Ligia exotica is a dominant in the intertidal region of the estuary of Patos Lagoon, playing an important role in recycling nutrients and in the trophic web. The study area was the West Breakwater of Rio Grande Channel (32º15,987’S; 52º09,783’W) and Leonideo Island (32º02,029’S; 52º11,951’W). Trends in the diet were seasonally analyzed, through manual sampling of individuals in October/2003, January, April and July/2004. The individuals were fixed in 4% formalin during 24 hours to stop the digestive process and conserved in 70% alcohol. The guts were weighted and repletion degree was estimated. Each gut content was diluted in 1 ml of distilled water. To quantify the items, content was placed in a graduated slide for counting. Each identified item was quantified by counting the number of occurrences in the slide squares. To test possible differences between frequencies of items consumed by males and females, the X2 test was used. Quali-quantitative analyses were performed, following the method of relative frequency of occurrence, relative frequency of points and index of relative importance. A total of 912 guts was analyzed: 426 individuals (215 males and 211 females) in the West Breakwater and 485 individuals (217 males e 268 females) in the Leonideo Island. Six food items were identified. Through the X2, significant differences were observed in the diet contents ratio consumed by males and females of both populations. The most important food items in the natural diet of Ligia exotica were: vegetal debris, sand and the seaweed Polysiphonia sp. Therefore, in both regions of the estuary, the species can be considered as a generalist, presenting a clear preference for debris items.

UNUSUAL REPRODUCTIVE FEATURES IN THE FRESHWATER CRAB Zilchiopsis collastinensis (PRETZMANN, 1968) (BRACHYURA, PORTUNOIDEA, TRICHODACTYLIDAE) López Greco, L.S.1,2, Olalla, N., Tropea, C.1 1Dept. of Biodiversity and Experimental Biology, FCEyN, University of Buenos Aires, Cdad. Univ. C1428EHA, Buenos Aires, Argentina, 2CONICET, Argentina. E-mail: [email protected]

Trichodactylidae are the only freshwater crabs distributed in Argentina with 15 described species. Due to the scarce information available about their reproductive biology, the functional anatomy of the reproductive system in Z. collastinensis was studied. Females and males adult crabs were dissected and their reproductive systems were processed for histological analysis. At least three uncommon reproductive features were observed. Unlike all described crabs that have an H-shaped ovary, the ovary of Z. collastinensis has an inverted “U” shape presenting only the posterior ovarian lobes. A short oviduct connects these lobes with the seminal receptacles (SR).The histological analysis of the SR sheath shows that the ectodermic component is greater than the mesodermic one, so according to the histological structure and to the relative position of the mesodermic epithelium, the SR of Z. collastinensis correspond to the dorsal type like in other Portunoidea. The ectodermic epithelium of SR has an unusual pattern of folding that could be involved in the expansion of the SR when the female is inseminated. Another unusual feature was seen in males related to the formation of spermatophores. Free spermatozoa can be detected at the vas deferens, while most of the spermatophores has two, three and up to five spermatozoa. The reduction in the number of spermatozoa/spermatophore as well as including the presence of free spermatozoa in the vas deferens could be two characters related to freshwater habitat since the same fact is observed in the South American Parastacidae and in Aeglidae. In Z. collastinensis this reduction is accompanied by a great quantity of a “jelly-like” matrix produced at the proximal vas deferens and an intense PAS+ component secreted at the middle and distal vas deferens. Financial Support: ANPCYT (PICT 2004, project 953), UBACYT (2004-2007 X 143)

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MORPHOLOGY OF THE SEMINAL RECEPTACLES IN Ocypode quadrata (FABRICIUS, 1787) (BRACHYURA, OCYPODIDAE) López Greco, L.S.1,2, Negreiros-Fransozo, M.L3, Bolaños, J.4, Fransozo, V.3, Lira, C.4 1 Dept. of Biodiversity and Experimental Biology, FCEyN, University of Buenos Aires, Cdad. Univ. C1428EHA, Buenos Aires, Argentina; 2 CONICET; 3 Dep. de Zoologia, Instituto de Biociências, C.P. 510 Universidade Estadual Paulista, 18618- 000 Botucatu, São Paulo, Brasil. [email protected]; 4 Escuela de Ciencias Aplicadas del Mar, Laboratorio de Carcinología, Universidad de Oriente. Calle Principal, Boca del Río, Estado Nueva Esparta, Venezuela. E-mail: [email protected]

The seminal receptacles (SR) of the Eubrachyura are an ecto-mesodermic differentiation of the genital ducts, where the spermatophores are stored and fecundation takes place. The position in which the oviduct is connected to the SR varies among species and according to this two types of SR can be distinguished: dorsal and ventral. Such classification is related to the mating behavior. The dorsal SR is frequently observed in the “soft mating system” and the ventral SR, in the “hard mating system”. As a part of a wider study about the reproductive biology of the Ocypodidae from the Atlantic coast of South America, this research describes the SR of Ocypode quadrata from the macro and microscopic points of view. A total of 56 adult females were sampled from which 5 were selected according to the maximum degree of their ovary development. The SR were dissected and processed using the usual histological techniques for light microscopy. The SR of O. quadrata are spherical and opalescent structures with a diameter that goes from 5 to 8 mm presenting a ventral connection to the oviduct. At the macroscopic level, they are homogeneous structures connected to the gonopore by a short vaginal duct, which presents a large quantity of muscles involved in the support of the SR and the opening of the vaginal duct during mating and spawning. The mesodermic portion of the SR is delimited by a cubic-cilindric stratified epithelium with three layers of muscular cells. The transition between the mesodermic and the ectodermic portions is abrupt. Inside the SR only free spermatozoa were found, but any differentiated ejaculated neither spermatophores were observed. The SR of O. quadrata present histological features similar to those in semi-terrestrial species of Brachyura with “hard mating system”. Financial support: CNPq/PROSUL #490208/2005.

THE OVARIAN EPITHELIUM IN DECAPOD CRUSTACEANS: Cherax quadricarinatus (PARASTACIDAE) AS A MODEL López Greco, L.S. 1,2, Vazquez, F.J. 1,2, Tropea, C. 1 1 Dept. of Biodiversity and Experimental Biology, FCEN, University of Buenos Aires, Cdad. Univ. C1428EHA, Buenos Aires, Argentina; 2 CONICET. E-mail: [email protected]

The presence and position of the ovarian epithelium (OE) have been described in early studies of brachyuran with some limitations mainly because the ovary of crabs is a compact structure when it is mature. This research was aimed at studying the functional anatomy of OE and its relationship with the follicles and the oviduct epithelium in C. quadricarinatus. This is an interesting biological model because of the presence of the ovarian lumen at all developmental stages including the mature ones. Thirty females were dissected, fixed, cut and stained. The ovary of C. quadricarinatus is a sac-like structure whose sheath is composed of three layers. The innermost is the OE, a monolayer of flat to cubic cells that delimits the ovary lumen and develops folds that surround the follicles containing mainly secondary oocytes. The middle one is the muscular tunica, which is composed of three or four layers of muscular cells, while the outermost consists of a single layer of connective tissue. The proliferative zone is located in the ovarian epithelium and the growing oocytes are located between the ovarian epithelium and the external layer. At ovulation each empty ovarian epithelium surrounding an ovulated secondary oocyte resembles a “flower”, while oocytes plus its follicular cells are found within ovarian lumen. The oocytes are then transferred into the oviduct and oviposited through female gonopores. In the oviducts the inner layer is composed of a folded monolayer of cubic- cylindrical and high secretory cells which is continuous with the OE, while the middle and the outer one have a similar structure than in the ovary. This ovary design and OE position have some differences with respect to the studies done on Brachyura, which are discussed within a phylogenetic framework. Financial support: ANPCYT (PICT 2004-953), UBACYT 2004-2007 (project X143), Antorchas Foundation (project 4248- 138).

114 Coquimbo - Chile 14- 17 October 2007 POSTER CONTRIBUTIONS

DIFFERENT DIETARY STRATEGIES FOR GROWTH EVALUATION IN Metamysidopsis munda (CRUSTACEA: MYSIDACEA) IN LABORATORY Loureiro Fernandes, L., Castro, M.J.A. Departamento de Ecologia e Recursos Naturais, Universidade Federal do Espírito Santo, Av. Fernando Ferrari 514, CEP 29075-910, Vitória, ES, Brasil. E-mail: [email protected]

Mysids have been intensively used as indicators of environmental stress due to their reproductive characteristics and short life cycle. The main goal of this study was to evaluate growth and survival of Metamysidopsis munda in laboratory under different dietary conditions. Night tows were performed during spring and summer in a beach area using a conical plankton net with 200 micron mesh size and 60 centimeters mouth opening. Egged females of M. munda were sorted out and placed individually in vials containing 200 ml of filtered seawater until hatching. Newborn mysids were placed in individual vials properly identified with filtered seawater. Salinity was maintained constant (35) by dilution with distilled water. Temperature and photoperiod were also constant: 25±1°C and 12:12 (light: dark). Water was changed daily. The experiment was divided in two parts: one with 120 individuals fed daily with Artemia sp. recently hatched; the other fed with Artemia sp. recently hatched, but enriched with an oil mixture (fish and cod) in a proportion of 0.1 ml of each oil in 100 ml of seawater. Each molt was separated and measured under the microscope using total length and telson length to evaluate growth. Each individual used for growth measurements completed 5 molts in a 12 day period in both experiments until they reached sexual maturity. Despite the different diet offered, there was no difference in growth rates between the two groups, indicating that these organisms are not very sensitive to nutritional changes in the food supplied. Regularity in molts with a 1 day interval between them was in perfect agreement with previous studies. The regression equation (Y= 9.1315x + 0.0739) can be used as a good approximation for determination of growth for M. munda in laboratory, in function of telson length, enabling more speed in evaluation species’ growth in captivity.

FIRST RECORD OF PELAGIC SWARMS OF Munida gregaria (ANOMURA: GALATHEIDAE) IN THE BEAGLE CHANNEL, ARGENTINA Lovrich, G.A., Pérez-Barros, P., Romero, M.C., Tapella, F., Diez, M., Sotelano, M.P., Scioscia, G., Avalos, M.C. Centro Austral de Investigaciones Científicas (CADIC-CONICET) – Houssay 200, Ushuaia, Tierra del Fuego, Argentina. E- mail: [email protected]

Pelagic swarms of Munida gregaria have been well documented off New Zealand but only recorded in the continental shelf of Southern South America back in the 1930’s. Since then, such aggregations have never been formally reported, although local mariners have sporadically experienced this phenomenon, even inside the Beagle Channel. In previous studies, both morphospecies M. gregaria and M. subrugosa were the main constituents of benthic samples. On the 28 and 29 May 2007, swarms of several hundreds of animals per m3 occurred at 1 m depth in Bahía Ushuaia (54º 50´S; 68º 17´W) and extending in depth to at least 4 m. Samples from these swarms, as well as from the sea-bottom were taken with an epibenthic trawl of 1.8 m mouth opening and 10 mm mesh size. The pelagic swarms were constituted of 100% individuals of the morphospecies M. gregaria, of an average size of 8.6±0.6 and 8.5±0.5 mm CL for males and females, respectively. Males outnumbered females in a 1.4:1 ratio (Ho 1:1; Gw= 10.6; p=0.001). All individuals were in postmoult or intermoult stage, with no epibionts. The benthic sample was constituted of 95% M. gregaria and 5% M. subrugosa. Average sizes of M. gregaria were 20.6±1.9 and 19.0±1.2 mm CL for males and females, respectively, and 75% of the females were ovigerous. All individuals were in postmoult or intermoult stage and epibionts were in >43% of the sampled animals. The stomach content of the pelagic crabs is described. Stranded M. gregaria similar in size to those from the described swarms were found the previous month along the Beagle Channel shore, and are interpreted as to be part of the same phenomenon. We discuss the schooling behaviour as a response to high benthic densities.

115 Coquimbo - Chile 14- 17 October 2007 POSTER CONTRIBUTIONS

DOES LIMITED SHELTER INCREASE THE PREVALENCE OF THE Panulirus argus virus 1 (PaV1) SYNDROME AMONG JUVENILE CARIBBEAN SPINY LOBSTERS? Lozano-Álvarez, E.1, Briones-Fourzán, P.1, Ramírez-Estévez, A.2, Placencia-Sánchez, D.1 1 Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Instituto de Ciencias del Mar y Limnología, Unidad Académica Puerto Morelos, Ap. Postal 1152, Cancún, Q. R., 77500 México; 2 Instituto Nacional de la Pesca, Centro Regional de Investigación Pesquera- Puerto Morelos, Puerto Morelos, Q. R., 77580, México. E-mail: [email protected]

Juveniles of the spiny lobster Panulirus argus dwell in shallow Caribbean reef lagoons where shelter may be limited or patchily distributed. In the reef lagoon at Puerto Morelos, México, experimental artificial shelters (“casitas”) significantly enhanced the local population of juveniles since deployment in 1998. Casitas mitigated shortage of natural shelter and increased sociality among juveniles, thus reducing predator-induced mortality. However, juveniles with visible signs of a viral disease caused by Panulirus argus Virus 1 (PaV1) were detected since 2000. Infection by PaV1 was confirmed in juveniles showing this syndrome (lethargy, milky, non-clotting hemolymph, and an unusually pinkish exoskeleton). In experimental mesocosms, USA researchers found that healthy juveniles tended to avoid shelters with diseased conspecifics. But what happens in shelter-limited habitats? We compared the prevalence of the syndrome among juvenile P. argus from Puerto Morelos between 2001 and 2006. The overall prevalence increased significantly with time, especially among small (< 25 mm carapace length (CL) and medium juveniles (25–45 mm CL), but not among subadults (45–80 mm CL). In 2001, few healthy juveniles cohabited with diseased juveniles, but by 2006 cohabitation of healthy and diseased juveniles had increased significantly. However, density of juveniles has not varied significantly over time. In 2006, casitas were also deployed over shallow, shelter-limited sites at Chinchorro bank, an atoll separated from the continent by 32 km and depths of 500 m. In Chinchorro, the overall prevalence of the syndrome was lower than in Puerto Morelos, but similar by juvenile phase, and cohabitation of healthy and diseased juveniles was substantial. Therefore, in shelter-limited habitats, juvenile P. argus may make a trade-off between avoiding shelters with diseased conspecifics and reducing predation risk by sharing limited shelter with diseased conspecifics. How this trade-off influences contagion and mortality remains uncertain, but warrants further investigation.

CRUSTACEAN COMPOSITION OF THE PRAWN TRAWLING ARTISANAL FISHERY FROM PRAIA DA PINHEIRA REGION, SC, BRAZIL Machado, I. F. 1, Branco, J.O.1, Avila, M.G.1, Monteiro, H.S.1 Centro de Ciências Tecnológicas da Terra e do Mar, CTTMar – UNIVALI, Lab. Biologia. Caixa Postal 360, CEP 88302-202, Itajaí/SC – Brasil. E-mail: [email protected]

Artisanal fishery is performed off Brazilian coast and is known as a highly predatory activity as well as of high economic value. Importance of decapod crustaceans in catches is high, however; the brachyurans are of low market value. In attempt to investigate the composition of decapod crustaceans fauna (brachyurans) from artisanal fishery in Praia da Pinheira-SC (27º 52'S e 48º 33'WO) Brazil, monthly samples were performed in traditional fishing grounds by using an otter trawl during one hour, towed by a wooden boat at 2 knots of speed, from November/03 to October/04, being analyzed the seasonal trends in abundance (CPUE kg/h) and diversity of crustaceans caught. A total of 1319 brachyuran specimens, accounting for 30.66 Kg and belonging to five families and 11 species were recorded. Dominant species in terms of abundance were Callinects ornatus (n=1057), Portunus spinicarpus (n=105), Portunus spinimanus (n=39), Hepatus pudisbundus (n=38), Callinectes danae (n=34) and the other species grouped, accounted for only 46 individuals. Main species caught, in terms of biomass, were for C. ornatus (72.24%), P. spinimanus (11.44%), H. pudibundus (5.53%), C. danae (4.31%) and the other species accounted for 6.48%. No significant seasonal trends in CPUE values were observed (F3-12= 0.0328; p>0.05). Due to low storage and conservation capacity of artisanal marine prawn fishery boats, the market of crustacean fishery products becomes economically restricted, generating a huge food waste and a great impact on biodiversity.

116 Coquimbo - Chile 14- 17 October 2007 POSTER CONTRIBUTIONS

POPULATION STRUCTURE OF Callinectes ornatus (ORDWAY, 1863) IN PRAIA DA PINHEIRA REGION, PALHOÇA, SC, BRAZIL Machado, I. F., Branco, J.O., Avila, M.G., Monteiro, H.S. Centro de Ciências Tecnológicas da Terra e do Mar, CTTMar–UNIVALI, Lab. Biologia. Caixa Postal 360, CEP 88302-202, Itajaí/SC – Brasil. E-mail: [email protected]

The crab C. ornatus occurs from North Carolina (USA) to Rio Grande do Sul (Brazil), inhabiting muddy, sandy and gravel bottoms, close to river mouths and bays, from littoral zone to 75 meters depth. This species is one of the most important Portunid crabs caught in prawn artisanal fishery. The aim of this investigation is to analyze abundance, length-weight relationships, size range, sex ratio and trends in seasonal distribution of C. ornatus, as well as to estimate seasonal trends in CPUE (kg/h) of this species in prawn artisanal fishery performed in Praia da Pinheira (27º 52'S e 48º 33'WO), Santa Catarina, Brazil. Sampling was monthly performed from November/2003 to October/2004 by using an otter trawl during one hour, towed by a wooden boat at 2 knots of speed. A total of 877 individuals was caught, with a monthly mean value of 88.03±78,42 crabs per trawl, ranging from 16 (June) to 256 (August). In males, carapace length ranged from 23.0 to 38.0 mm (mean= 60.39±1.17) and weight from 0.86 to 44.04 g (mean= 16.58±0.85). In females, carapace length ranged from 27.0 to 88.0mm (mean= 65.77±0.24) and weight from 1.16 to 61.36 g (21.28±0.23). Length-weight relationships indicated an allometric negative growth pattern (males - Wt= 0,409b0,0569 r2 = 0,9523; females - Wt = 0,5731b0,0532 r2 = 0,8624). Percentage of males (n= 136) and females (n=741) in samples was 15.51% and 84.49%, respectively, resulting in a sex ratio of 1:5.45, in such a way that significant disequilibrium in favor of females, along most of analyzed period, however, no significant differences were observed during autumn. No significant differences in seasonal distribution (F3-12= 1,865; p>0,05) and CPUE (F3-12= 2,235; p>0,05) were recorded.

POPULATION STRUCTURE OF Pleoticus muelleri (BATE 1888) PRAIA DA PINHEIRA AREA, PALHOÇA-SC, BRAZIL Machado, I. F., Branco, J.O., Avila, M.G., Monteiro, H.S. Centro de Ciências Tecnológicas da Terra e do Mar, CTTMar–UNIVALI, Lab. Biologia. Caixa Postal 360, CEP 88302-202, Itajaí/SC–Brasil. E-mail: [email protected]

Prawn artisanal fishery is widely performed along the Brazilian coast, playing an important role in economic, historic, social and cultural areas. The aim of this investigation was to analyze the occurrence, abundance, biomass, size range and sex ratio of P. muelleri in artisanal fishery from Pinheira beach (27º 52'S and 48º 33'W), Santa Catarina, Brazil. Sampling was monthly performed, from November/2003 to October/2004 in traditional fishing grounds by using an otter trawl during one hour, towed by a wooden boat at 2 knots of speed. A total of 833 individuals was caught, presenting a monthly mean value of 73.6 prawns per trawl, ranging from four in October to 173 in November. Total biomass (2.38 Kg) presented a monthly value of 198.45±155.29 g per sample, ranging from 2.7 g in June to 424.81 g in March. Total size, in males, ranged from 32.0 to 98.0 mm (mean= 53.2±53.15), cephalotoracic length from 7.0 to 23.0 mm (mean= 11.3±11.2) and weight from 0.37 to 7.88g (mean= 1.13±1.12). Total size, in females, ranged from 29.0 to 128.0mm (mean= 6.55±1.60), cephalotoracic length from 2.20 a 31.0mm (15.1±4.15) and weight from 0.18 a 18.23g (mean= 2.99±2.32). Length-weight relationship indicated a allometric negative growth pattern (males - Wt = 0,0904b0,479 r2 = 0,8217; females - Wt = 0,128b0,4404 r2 = 0,8883). Percentage of males (n= 242) and females (n= 641) showed values of 27.40% and 72.60%, respectively, resulting in a significant difference from 1:1 ratio expected. This tendency became evident when x2 test was applied, indicating a significant difference in favor of females during most of period analyzed, except in November/03 and june/04.

117 Coquimbo - Chile 14- 17 October 2007 POSTER CONTRIBUTIONS

GROWTH OF Grapsus grapsus (LINNAEUS, 1758) IN SÃO PEDRO AND SÃO PAULO ISLANDS (DECAPODA: BRACHYURA: GRAPSIDAE) Madeira, K.C., D’Incao, F. Laboratório de Crustáceos Decápodes. Fundação Universidade Federal do Rio Grande/FURG. Departamento de Oceanografia. Caixa Postal, 474. Cep: 96.201-900 – Rio Grande, RS. E-mail: [email protected]

Grapsus grapsus is a semi-terrestrial carnivore crab with widespread geographic distribution. It preferentially inhabits oceanic islands. In spite of being a conspicuous species in hard bottoms, knowledge on population ecology and its importance on community are still restricted. G. grapsus is a dominant species of macro benthic fauna of emerged rocky structures from Sao Pedro and Sao Paulo Islands (ASPSP) (00º55’01’’N e 29º20’44’’W). Present paper investigates the growth of G. grapsus through modal progression analysis in ASPSP. Sampling was performed in Belmont Island, close to nesting areas of seabirds, tidal pools and rocky shores. Individuals were obtained during expeditions performed in February, April, June and November/2003, March, August and November/2004 and January, May and July/2005. Carapace length and sex were determined in situ. During this period, 383 males and 324 females were sampled. Growth curves were estimated by using Bertalanffy (1938) model. Maximum longevity (tmax) was estimated by the inverted growth equation, considering maximum length as achieved at 99% of asymptotic length. Growth parameters were iteratively estimated by an automated least square procedure, varying k, t0 and linf. Normal curves were fitted to length distributions to identify age groups, which were followed through time (days), to estimate growth. Selected curves presented higher coefficient o correlation and asymptotic length similar to largest size observed in samples. Maximum longevity estimates were 2.6 and 2.4 years for males and females, respectively.

REDESCRIPTION OF Petrolisthes magdalenensis ZOEAL STAGES, WITH CONSIDERATIONS TO RECENT LARVAL- BASED GROUPINGS OF THE GENUS Petrolisthes (DECAPODA: PORCELLANIDAE) Magán, I., Hernández, G. Universidad de Oriente, Núcleo de Nueva Esparta, Escuela de Ciencias Aplicadas del Mar, Apartado 074, La Asunción, Margarita Island, Venezuela. E-mail: [email protected]

The two zoeal stages of the porcelain crab, Petrolisthes magdalenensis Werding, 1978, are redescribed and reillustrated on the basis of laboratory-reared material, obtained from three ovigerous females collected at Margarita Island, Venezuela (Southeastern Caribbean), and their dimension and morphology are compared to those previously described from Santa Marta, Colombia (Southwestern Caribbean). The morphological characters of the two zoeas of P. magdalenensis fit fully with those of Group 4 identified by Osawa (1995), and subsequent authors. Since P. magdalenensis,P. tridentatus, P. tonsorius, and P. violaceus, formerly assigned to Osawa´s Group 4, exhibit a hook-like process on coxopodite of first maxilliped, we provide a modified table of Osawa´s larval groups, and propose an additional larval group, Group 8, to receive these four Petrolisthes species.

118 Coquimbo - Chile 14- 17 October 2007 POSTER CONTRIBUTIONS

MORPHOLOGICAL AND MORPHOMETRIC APPRAISAL OF THE SPERMATOPHORE OF THE SOUTHERN HERMIT CRAB Isocheles sawayai (ANOMURA: DIOGENIDAE) FROM THE BRAZILIAN COAST Mantelatto, F. L. 1, Scelzo, M.A. 2, Tudge, C.C. 3 1 Laboratory of Bioecology and Crustacean Systematics, Department of Biology, Faculty of Philosophy, Science and Letters of Ribeirão Preto (FFCLRP), University of São Paulo (USP), Av. Bandeirantes 3900, CEP 14040-901, Ribeirão Preto, SP, Brazil; 2 Departamento de Ciencias Marinas, FCEyN, Universidad Nacional de Mar del Plata/CONICET. Funes 3350, (B7600AYL), Mar del Plata, Argentina; 3 Department of Invertebrate Zoology, National Museum of Natural History, Smithsonian Institution, Washington D.C., 20013-7012, U.S.A. E-mail: [email protected]

The spermatophore morphology of the hermit crab Isocheles sawayai from southwestern Atlantic (Brazil) is described. The spermatophores show similarities with those described for other members of the family Diogenidae, especially with the recently described Loxopagurus loxochelis. The spermatophore is composed of three major regions: a sperm filled head or ampulla, a columnar stalk and a foot or pedestal. The spermatophores show specific morphology in having a circular ampulla, and a constriction or neck between the ampulla (100 µm) and the thin (27 µm), long stalk (500 µm). The stalk penetrates less than half way into the spermatophore head. Most spermatophores show one of the small posterior projections on the underside of the ampulla bigger than the other, making it asymmetrical. The size of the spermatophore is related to hermit crab size with direct relationships found between spermatophore ampulla width, total length, and peduncle length with shield length of the hermit crab. These morphological characteristics of the spermatophore of I. sawayai are species-specific distinguishing it from other members of the family, and are useful to infer further phylogenetic relationships. Financial support: CNPq/PROSUL – Brazil

CLARIFICATION OF THE TAXONOMIC STATUS OF THE HERMIT CRABS Pagurus forceps AND Pagurus comptus (PAGURIDAE) USING MOLECULAR ANALYSIS Mantelatto, F. L.1, Pardo, L.M.2, Pileggi, L.G.1,3 1 Laboratory of Bioecology and Crustacean Systematics, Department of Biology, Faculty of Philosophy, Sciences and Letters of Ribeirão Preto (FFCLRP), University of São Paulo (USP); 2 Laboratorio Costero Calfuco, Instituto de Biologia Marina “Dr. Jurgen Winter”, Universidad Austral de Chile, Valdivia, Chile; 3 Program of Post-Graduation on Comparative Biology. E-mail: [email protected]

Current taxonomy of two poorly known hermit crab species Pagurus forceps H. Milne Edwards, 1836 and Pagurus comptus White, 1847 from temperate coastlines of South America is based only on adult morphology and disregards morphological and biometric characters of the cheliped. Past studies have revealed morphological characters that could justify the questioning on the identities of these two close species with apparent sympatry. Since there has been no previous attempt to resolve evolutionary relationships among these species using molecular tools, we include here specimens of signed species of P. forceps and P. comptus in a phylogenetic analysis of selected anomuran decapods based on sequences of the 16S ribosomal gene in order to clarify the taxonomic status. Differences between P. forceps and P. comptus were moderate, accounting from 79.6 to 95.2% of similarity between fragments analyzed. Pending further molecular analyses with a larger, worldwide subset of pagurid species from other regions, our present molecular analysis does not support the synonimization of both species. Financial support: CNPq/Prosul, FAPESP - Brazil

119 Coquimbo - Chile 14- 17 October 2007 POSTER CONTRIBUTIONS

CHARACTERIZATION OF PCR PRIMERS FOR POLYMORPHIC MICROSATELLITE LOCI AND THE DEVELOPMENT OF A MULTIPLEX PCR SYSTEM FOR THE MARINE ISOPOD Limnoria sp. Marchant, S., Haye, P.A. Departamento de Biología Marina, Facultad de Ciencias del Mar, Universidad Católica del Norte, Centro de Estudios Avanzados en Zonas Áridas (CEAZA), Larrondo 1281, Casilla 117, Coquimbo. E-mail: [email protected]

Limnoria sp. is a marine isopod that has been found in self-constructed galleries bored in kelp holdfasts. Like all other peracarids they brood their eggs up to a crawl-away stage and the offspring recruits in close proximity to their mothers. This life history trait may lead to a microgeographic pattern of genetic structure, in which geographically closer individuals are genetically closer as a consequence of an extended parental care. Another characteristic of Limnoria sp. is that the algae they bore into may become detached and float to far-away shores increasing their potential for long distance colonization (LDC) through rafting. At a macrogeographical scale the genetic differentiation Limnoria sp. may be lower than expected for brooders given the potential for LDC. To properly investigate the micro and macrogeographic genetic structure of Limnoria sp., it is necessary to develop microsatellite loci. Microsatellites have been proven to be an informative class of genetic marker because of their high intraespecific variability. In the present study we report the isolation and characterization of nine microsatellite loci developed by enriched libraries prepared from Limnoria sp. and the development of a multiplex PCR system. Analysis of 35 individuals collected from the coast of Pumillahue (41º56’S,74º2’W) revealed a mean number of alleles of 12.66 and mean expected heterozygosity of 0.83, indicating a high level of variability at most loci. All the microsatellite loci were tested and optimized in pairs to generate a multiplex PCR system in the basis of compatibility. Using this scheme, two tetraplex PCR systems were developed using fluorescently labelled primers. These polymorphic microsatellite loci should be useful to the study of the geographical distribution of the genetic diversity of Limnoria sp. at micro and macrogeographical scales and shed insights into the genetic consequences of the life history traits of this species.

INVERTEBRATES GATHERING AROUND FOOD FALLS – INITIAL FINDINGS FROM THE ARCTIC Markowska, M., Kidawa, A., Janecki, T. Department of Antarctic Biology PAS, ul. Ustrzycka 10/12, 02 141 Warsaw, Poland. E-mail: [email protected]

Potential food items such as carcasses of dead vertebrates and invertebrates release many chemical compounds that may act as chemical signals for necrophagous scavengers. Such stimuli are dispersed in marine environment by water movements (tides and water currents) and may cause changes in the distribution of necrophagous animals on the marine bottom. In our work, in Grønfjorden (Spitsbergen, Arctic), we studied the behaviour and dispersal of necrophagous invertebrates in the vicinity of artificial food falls in the benthic environments. Artificial food falls (pieces of fish muscle meat) were placed on the bottom of Grønfjorden in the vicinity of Barentsburg (Spitsbergen, Arctic). Observations and photographical documentations of animals gathering around them were made by Scuba divers. Artificial non-odorous baits resembling by their shape, colour and texture real meat were ignored by potential scavengers which means that chemical signals are basic source of information about food. Only crabs Hyas araneus and gastropods Buccinum sp. were observed feeding on the bait and a few hermit crabs Eupagurus pubescens were seen moving towards the bait. No feeding aggregations were noticed. Some instances of the intra-species aggression among crabs H. araneus were observed, with the smaller individual always yielding to the bigger ones. No more than two H. araneus (always of the same size) were seen on the bait simultaneously. Crabs were feeding for a few minutes only, and only after they went away, next ones came to the bait. In the Arctic, crabs played an important role as main benthic scavengers. Their presence and behaviour at the food-fall was regulated by strong inter- and intra-species competition. In Arctic environment chemical signals and chemoreception are decisive factors in invertebrates’ food finding processes. Those signals caused visible changes in the behaviour and distribution of necrophagous benthic invertebrates, especially crabs. The work was financed by the State Committee for Scientific Research grant K100/P04/2004.

120 Coquimbo - Chile 14- 17 October 2007 POSTER CONTRIBUTIONS

CRABS (BRACHYURA) OF FRENCH FRIGATE SHOALS, NORTHWESTERN HAWAIIAN ISLANDS MARINE NATIONAL MONUMENT Martin, J.W. Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County, 900 Exposition Boulevard, Los Angeles, California 90007 USA. E-mail: [email protected]

In October 2006, a team of 19 scientists used a variety of collecting techniques to explore the relatively isolated and pristine waters of French Frigate Shoals, part of the Northwestern Hawaiian Islands Marine National Monument. Collecting methods included hand collecting, rubble brushing and extraction, dredging, suction, and baited traps in shallow and deep waters. One of the targeted taxonomic groups was the "true crabs" (Brachyura). Although there are more than 5,000 extant species of crabs known in the world, only about 200 species have been reported from Hawaiian waters. This poster shows color photographs of some of the "true crabs" (Brachyura) collected and photographed during that expedition. Some of the crabs on the poster are new (undescribed) species; others are new records for the Hawaiian Islands, and others are shown in color for the first time. The number of new and little-known species collected by the team is an indication of how little we know about marine life even in such supposedly well known areas as the Hawaiian Islands. This work was a collaborative effort involving staff, funding, equipment, or other support from the Census of Marine Life's Census of Coral Reefs (CReefs) project, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County, National Science Foundation, University of Florida's Florida Museum of Natural History, Scripps Institution of Oceanography, Australian Institute of Marine Science, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Northwestern Hawaiian Islands Marine National Monument, Hawaii Institute of Marine Biology, University of Hawaii, Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution, National Park Service, Universidade Federal do Ceará (Brazil), University of Puerto Rico, University of California Merced, Brown Marine Biological Laboratory, and the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands Coastal Resources Management Office.

COMPARATIVE MORPHOLOGY AND DEVELOPMENT OF ISOPOD SECOND ANTENNAE Maruzzo, D. Department of Biology, University of Padova, Italy. E-mail: [email protected]

The flagellum of isopod second antennae usually bears few setae of just one kind, making it an useful model for studying postembryonic production of new articles (by using setae as landmark) and for making comparative observations on setal distribution. The postembryonic mechanism of article production has already been studied in detail in Asellus aquaticus (Asellidae). In this model all the new articles are produced at the base of the flagellum: the first article (the meristematic article) keeps on giving off new articles, each of which will divide - rather independently to each other - three more times, producing four final articles (a quartet). Each article of a quartet bears a distinctive setal pattern. To investigate how the mechanism of article production in the second antennal flagellum has evolved within isopods and to compare setal distribution pattern few useful insights are available from literature. I here present preliminary observations on Lirceus fontinalis (Asellidae), Idotea chelipes (Valvifera) and Sphaeroma serratum (Sphaeromatidae). Although every specie has its own peculiarities, the mechanism of article production appears to be conserved at least regarding the main role of the first flagellar article as producer. The results, together with relevant data from literature, are discussed in a phylogenetic context, and hypotheses on the evolution of setal distribution pattern and mechanism of article production are presented.

121 Coquimbo - Chile 14- 17 October 2007 POSTER CONTRIBUTIONS

POPULATION BIOLOGY OF Talitroides topitotum (CRUSTACEA: AMPHIPODA: TALITRIDAE) IN AN ATLANTIC FOREST IN SOUTHEASTERN BRAZIL Matavelli, C., Uehara-Prado, M., Leite, F.P.P., Freitas, A.V.L. Department of Zoology, Institute of Biology, CP 6109, UNICAMP, 13083-970, Campinas, SP, Brazil. E-mail: [email protected]

The present study describes the population parameters and the morphology of Talitroides topitotum, a terrestrial crustacean introduced in to Brazil together with Eucalyptus spp. The study was carried out in an Atlantic Forest site in the Serra do Mar State Park, the “Núcleo Santa Virginia” (NSV). Sampling was done with pitfall traps from November/2004 to May/2005 in two areas with different histories of disturbance: slash-and-burn agriculture (more disturbed) and selective logging (more preserved). In total, 184 samples were obtained including 3,593 individuals (all females), with 3,510 in the slash-and-burn area and only 83 in the selective logging area. There were two population peaks, one in December and another in February. Ovigerous females reached maximum abundance in February. Juveniles showed 2 peaks, in January and April, corresponding to the warmest period of the year. The reduction after this period can be related to the search for favorable environments, to vertical migration (more suitable microclimates), or simply decrease in population numbers. The size of the individuals varied from 1.48 mm to 10.12 mm. There was a significant positive relation between body and head size. The average egg production was 2.4/female. The number of eggs was positively correlated with female body size. This study showed that the population of T. topitotum in the NSV has population parameters similar to those described in other studies, and this species has potential as a bioindicator for human disturbance.

CILIATED PROTOZOA EPIBIONTS OF MEXICAN CRUSTACEA. DATA OF THEIR BIODIVERSITY AND SPECIFICITY Mayén-Estrada, R., Aladro-Lubel, M.A. Laboratorio de Protozoología, Departamento de Biología Comparada, Facultad de Ciencias, UNAM. México. E-mail: [email protected]

To date 35 species of ciliates have been reported as epibionts of brackish and freshwater crustaceans (decapods, copepods and amphipods) in Mexico. The peritrichids ciliates include 28 species reported, and for suctorians, five species. From specialized ciliates, such as apostomatids, only one species have been observed attached to one species of decapod, and one species to the amphipod Hyalella azteca. Four ciliate genera, Acineta, Cothurnia, Zoothamnium and Lagenophrys attachs to more than one species of Mexican crustaceans, from which, we analyze four species of the genus Lagenophrys, a peritrich ciliate, in order to show and compare their host specificity degree, according to STD* index (Poulin and Mouillot, 2003).

122 Coquimbo - Chile 14- 17 October 2007 POSTER CONTRIBUTIONS

STAGE- DEPENDENT INTERACTIONS BETWEEN INTERTIDAL CRABS: FROM FACILITATION TO PREDATION Méndez Casariego, A.1,2, Alberti, J.1,2, Luppi, T.1,2, Iribarne, O.1,2 1 Universidad Nacional de Mar del Plata, CC 573 Correo Central B7600WAG Mar del Plata, Argentina; 2 Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET). E-mail: [email protected]

Large parts of the SW Atlantic soft bottom intertidals are inhabited by the burrowing crab N. granulata and the mud crab C. angulatus but they rarely coexist in the same microhabitat. N. granulata, excavates and maintains burrows, generating burrowing assemblages, while C. angulatus is mainly a subtidal species. The increase in habitat complexity generated by the burrows in these large muddy flats and the possible protection from predation by the adults, suggest that burrows may enhance settlement not only for conespecific settlers but also for C. angulatus. The objective of this work was to determine if 1) N. granulata burrows facilitate C. angulatus settlement, 2) there is a stage – conditioned predation by N. granulata on C. angulatus, and 3) this influences C. angulatus migration to the subtidal. Burrows were sampled during two summers (2004- 2005, 2005-2006), and it was observed that both species settles inside burrows. To evaluate the mortality of recruits inside burrows, we performed a field experiment with juvenile and adult crab exclusion cages that only allows first instars of crabs to pass through the mesh and inclusion of juveniles or adult of N. granulata. The results showed differences in crab sizes between treatments, due to predatory interactions that depended on size. When only juveniles of N. granulata were present, the higher mortality of C. angulatus was observed in smaller crabs. However when adults of N. granulata were present, larger juvenile crabs suffered the highest mortality. These results suggest that adults are preying upon larger juveniles reducing the mortality of the smaller ones that are preyed by the larger ones. We also measured emigration from these burrowing assemblages using bi-directional pitfall traps, which shows that 20 % of C. angulatus juveniles are leaving the burrows towards the subtidal. Here we demonstrated that N. granulata have important effects on the settlement of C. angulatus.

SEASONAL VARIABILITY OF COPEPODS (CRUSTACEA, COPEPODA) IN THE COASTAL UPWELLING ZONE OFF CHIPANA BAY (21ºS), NORTHERN OF CHILE Mendoza, P., Escribano, R., Hidalgo, P. CENSOR Project, Center for Oceanographic Research in the eastern South Pacific (COPAS). Pelagic Laboratory and Mesozooplankton (PLAMZ). Marine Biology Station at Dichato, University of Concepción, Chile. E-mail: [email protected]

The Humboldt Current System in northern Chile exhibits semi-permanent upwelling year-round, being more intense during spring and summer, modifying seasonally the community of copepods. We analyzed the seasonal variability of copepods in Chipana Bay (21° S). Zooplankton sampling was performed daily during winter 2005, summer-winter 2006 and summer 2007 in upper 50 m. Oceanographic variables and fractionated chlorophyll-a were also obtained. There were significant differences between summer and winter for temperature, salinity and oxygen. Of the 33 samples obtained, 11 species of copepods were identified: Paracalanus parvus, Oncaea conifera, Oncaea venusta, Eucalanus inermis, Subeucalanus subtermis, Centropages brachiatus, Acartia tonsa, Calanus chilensis, Microsetella norvergica, Scolecithricella bradyi and Clymnestrea rostrata and 2 genera: Corycaeus sp. and Oithona sp. P. parvus, O.conifera, E.inermis, A.tonsa, Oithona sp. and Coricaeus sp. were always present, whereas P. parvus showed highest abundance, reaching a maximum of 680.21 individuals m-3 (>70%), during summer 2007. This species showed a strong correlation with oxygen at 10 m. Higher abundances of E. inermis (69.87 individuals m-3) during winter 2005 and Coricaeus sp. (190.31 individuals m-3) in summer 2007 were observed, having both species a strong correlation with temperature at 10 m. S. subtermis and C. brachiatus were not observed during summer 2006 and 2007 increasing during winter 2005 and 2006, being positively associated with the proportion of chlorophyll-a (>20 µm). Higher abundance of C. chilensis (165.66 ind m-3) during winter 2006 was positively related to chlorophyll <3 µm. O. venusta were present during summer 2006 and 2007 with greater abundance in the latter (206.04 ind m-3), whereas M. norvergica, C. rostrata and S. bradyi were only found during summer 2007. We proposed that seasonal variability in the species of copepods results from a weak but significant seasonal signal of upwelling related to changes in food quality.

123 Coquimbo - Chile 14- 17 October 2007 POSTER CONTRIBUTIONS

PESTICIDES TOXICITIES: SENSITIVITY VARIATION OF THE FRESHWATER PRAWN AND CRAB Montagna, M.1, Collins, P.1,2,3 1 Instituto Nacional de Limnología (CONICET-UNL), José Maciá 1933, (3016) Santo Tomé, Santa Fe, Argentina; 2 Fac. Bioq. Y Cs. Biol. UNL; 3 Fac.Cs.yTec. UADER. E-mail: [email protected]

Pampas region of Argentina is characterized by intensive agriculture and urbanization, and diverse pesticides are usually used for control of a broad spectrum of pests. Their application affect a great variety of not-target species from freshwater habitat. Palaemonetes argentinus prawn and Trichodactylus borellianus crab are the most common species and with wide distribution (Paraguay, Uruguay, southern Brazil, and the north and centre of Argentina (Pampas region)). These species and environments are susceptible to receive the influence of biocids, such as herbicides, insecticides and fungicides, when they input in lotic and lentic environments. Differences in toxicities, in terms of acute lethal toxicity (LC50-96h), of agrotoxics in their commercial formulations (glyphosate, 2,4D, chlorpyrifos, endosulfan, cypermethrin and carbendazim) were evaluated in these crustaceans. In glyphosate exposure the LC50 values were similar between prawn and crab, and its toxicities were lower than those obtained for 2,4D, being moreover more toxic in crabs. In both species, the pyrethroid cypermethrin showed more toxicity than organophosphate chlorpyrifos and organochlorine endosulfan. The LC50 values for these insecticides were significantly smaller in the prawn than in the crab. Mortality in exposed crabs to carbendazim was not registered when these were in intermolt phase. However the carbendazim LC50 in prawns was 0.065 gL-1. Results indicate that the sensitivities of used decapods were different, being the sensitivity of the prawn greater than the crab. This suggests that the morphology of body, branchial chamber characteristics and behaviour of the species are important to the survival in adverse environment conditions.

ON TWO ALLIED SPECIES OF THE GENUS DIASTYLIS FROM SOUTHERN SOUTH AMERICA (CRUSTACEA: CUMACEA: DIASTYLIDAE) Moretti, A.N., Roccatagliata, D. Departamento de Biodiversidad y Biología Experimental, Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales, Universidad de Buenos Aires, C428EHA, Argentina. E-mail: [email protected]

Diastylis is the oldest genus of Cumacea and contains a large number of species (about 100). Besides, this genus is very variable, including species with two or three articles on the endopod of the uropods. Up to date, only two Diastylis with two articles on their uropodal endopods have been described from the southern South America, i.e., D. argentata Calman, 1912 and D. granulata Zimmer, 1921. The former was described on the basis of many males and females obtained in the Golfo de Penas, and more recently it was collected at the east entrance of the Beagle Channel and south of it. This species is herein briefly redescribed and its northern limit of distribution extended to Puerto Montt. D. granulata was previously known from a single subadult male collected south of the Río de la Plata mouth during the Swedish Eugenie-Expedition (1851-53), and has not been reported again since its original description. The adult male and female of this species are herein fully described on the basis of specimens collected near its type locality. These two allied species can be easily distinguished by the arrangement of their carapace sculpture: D. argentata bears a row of teeth extending backwards without reaching the anterolateral horn, whereas D. granulata has an arched row of teeth that ends on each anterolateral horn. SEM photographs showing the carapaces sculpturing of these two species are provided. This research was partially supported by the University of Buenos Aires (UBACyT X162), the ANPCyT (PICT 02/11180) and the CONICET (Argentina).

124 Coquimbo - Chile 14- 17 October 2007 POSTER CONTRIBUTIONS

FRESHWATER CRABS (FAMILY TRICHODACTYLIDAE) OF SÃO SEBASTIÃO ISLAND, SOUTHERN ATLANTIC, BRAZIL Mossolin, E.C., Mantelatto, F. L. Laboratory of Bioecology and Crustacean Systematics, Department of Biology (FFCLRP), University of São Paulo (USP), Av. Bandeirantes, 3900, Ribeirão Preto, São Paulo, Brazil. E-mail: [email protected]

The Island of São Sebastião is distinguished for being the bigger and most populous one in the northern coast of São Paulo, Brazil. This area has an extreme importance due to its transformation into a State Park, having permanent preservation and touristic activities. Despite this scenario, no scientific information on the freshwater decapod crustacean living in this island is available. The data of the survey were obtained between July/2006 and May/2007 by an effort of capture carried out in 60 different points around the island, between sea level until about 200 m of altitude using bolters and traps methodologies. The material had been fixed and deposited in the Museum of Zoology of the University of São Paulo (MZUSP). The species found were Trichodactylus dentatus, T. fluviatilis and T. petropolitanus. Preliminary reproductive and population aspects had been observed and, even male and female have been collected, ovigerous females were absent. The presence of the Trichodactylidae, a group exclusively from freshwater, in oceanic islands has great value in studies on biogeographical, ecological and evolutionary processes of the crustaceans. The current status of this water crabs demonstrated in this island that shares biodiversity characteristics with continental populations, reinforces the importance of this distributional pattern for the agreement of the evolution of biota of the group in the South American continent. Financial support: CAPES - Program of Qualification in Taxonomy (# 563934/2005-0).

DECAPODS SETTLING BUT NOT RECRUITING INTO ROBINSON CRUSOE ISLAND: A DEMOGRAPHIC BOTTLENECK DRIVEN BY PREDATION? Muñoz, C.A. 1, Henríquez, L.A. 1, Báez, P.D. 2, Palma, A.T. 1 1 Departamento de Ecología, P. Universidad Católica de Chile. Center for Advanced Studies in Ecology and Biodiversity, Alameda 340, Casilla 114-D, Santiago, Chile; 2 Sección Hidrobiología, Museo Nacional de Historia Natural (Interior Quinta Normal) Casilla 787, Santiago, Chile. E-mail: [email protected]

Our current knowledge on the carcino fauna of the Juan Fernández archipelago, and particularly of Robinson Crusoe Island, is growing but still understudied. The high degree of this systems marine endemism is very well known. For marine organisms it has been argued that the presence of conspicuous oceanographic barriers (i.e. Humboldt current system) may explain such isolation from the coast of South America, the nearest continental source of benthic species. This is especially important for species that undergo a planktonic larval phase. A conservative estimation suggests that the percentage of endemism among decapods of this system reaches 15%. All we know about the diversity of decapods of this system corresponds to studies that collected mainly large (adult) individuals and comparatively little is known about juveniles. No information exists about where crab species settle. In this research we considered several sites along the north-east side of Robinson Crusoe Island with the specific goal of surveying different near-shore shallow habitats, typical settlement habitats for these organisms. In all our thorough surveys, carried out at depths between 5 and 20 m, which consisted of site and substrate/habitat-specific suction sampling, we detected the presence of several decapod species. However, curiously enough, only small newly settled individuals were found. The lack of either larger juveniles or adults of all these species allows us to hypothesise that predation exerted by the many carnivorous fish present in this system is an important factor determining this pattern. Alternatively, adult crustacean species can be found either, in shallower waters (Sinalpheus spinifrons, Taliepus dentatus, Eurypanopeus crenatus and Pilumnoides perlatus) or in deeper waters (Galathea lenzi). This would be the situation of the latter species captured only as juveniles. This findings represents an important advance to understand how the ecology and evolution of isolated places like this function.

125 Coquimbo - Chile 14- 17 October 2007 POSTER CONTRIBUTIONS

THE MEGALOPA AND THE EARLY JUVENILE DEVELOPMENT OF Hepatus pudibundus (HERBST, 1785) RAISED FROM NEUSTON SAMPLES Negreiros-Fransozo, M.L., Fransozo, A., Hirose, G.L. NEBECC (Crustacean biology, ecology and culture study group), Dep. Zoologia, Instituto de Biociências, UNESP, 18618-000 Botucatu, SP, Brasil. E-mail: [email protected]

The crab H. pudibundus is commonly found in shallow waters of the Western Atlantic. It has the complete larval and early post-larval morphology already known under laboratory conditions from ovigerous females’ eggs. This report aims to show some differences obtained raising this species from neuston samples carried out in 2005-2006 summer, at the Ubatuba region, Brazil. Around 120 megalopae were raised successfully under laboratorial conditions until the 5th juvenile stage. The size of the megalopa (CW = 1.132 ± 0.23 mm) obtained in the neuston was similar to those specimens previously described in the literature. But juvenile stages obtained, in this study, were slightly larger, probably due to the best previous conditions the larvae have spent in the plankton. The mean values obtained for carapace width (mm) of juveniles were: JI = 1.13 ± 0.02; JII = 1.96 ± 0.2; JIII = 2.90 ± 0.5; JIV = 4.70 ± 0.7. The duration of the juvenile stages was faster in the present investigation when compared to the previous one, even in similar laboratorial conditions (mean temperature, salinity and food supply). The main differences observed in this investigation were concerned to the megalopa morphology, which can be attributed to the intraspecific variation that usually occurs but also due to a detailed and more standardized description presently performed. Some of such morphological differences found in the present description are: chelipeds and pereiopods (P2 to P4) with 10 plumose setae on its basis; pereiopods (P2 to P5) with serrate setae on its ventral margin of dactyls; exopod of the maxilla with 58 marginal plumose setae and 6 simple setae on its blade surface; presence of serrate setae on 2nd and 3rd maxilliped endopod; 19, 19, 16 and 13 plumose setae on exopods from 2nd to 5th pleopods. Financial support: Fapesp # 04/15194-6

NEUSTONIC DECAPOD LARVAE FROM UBATUBA REGION, SOUTHEASTERN BRAZIL Negreiros-Fransozo, M.L., Fransozo, A., Hirose, G.L., Gregati, R.A. NEBECC (Crustacean Biology, Ecology and Culture Study Group), Dep. Zoologia, Instituto de Biociências, Universidade Estadual Paulista, 18618-000 Botucatu, SP, Brasil. E-mail: [email protected]

The adult decapods diversity is known for the Ubatuba region, São Paulo, Brazil as many investigations have been carried out in such area, mainly in the recent years with the surveys. Nevertheless, the planktonic forms are less known and several decapod species remain not described under larval aspect. The present project investigates the composition of decapod larvae in the area, analyzing neuston samples performed during nocturnal high tides. Double samplings were accomplished inshore and offshore in approximately 12 trawling each month, during late spring and summer, as the decapods in the area are mostly reproducing at these seasons. Larvae were sorted and identified at family level. One part of the larvae sampled was maintained alive for raisings and other intact sample were conserved in ethanol for counting. The larvae obtained belongs to the following groups: Anomura (Paguroidea, Hippoidea and Galatheoidea); Brachyura (Dorippidae, Parthenopidae, Leucosiidae, Hepatidae, Pinnotheridae, Goneplacidae, Menippidae, Panopeidae, Portunidae, Majidae, Sesarmidae); Caridea (Palaemonidae, Alpheidae mainly); Astacura (Thalassinidea) and Stenopodidea. With reference to Brachyura in particular, the zoeae have occurred more abundantly in the inshore of the Ubatuba region than offshore, while megalopae were more abundant in the offshore of the same region. Such findings indicates that the paradigm of the decapod life cycle of such organisms, i. e., the ovigerous females of the coastal species display their larvae (zoea I) in shallow waters (inshore), which disperse themselves to the open ocean during the spring tides, while the development proceeds. In the open ocean (offshore), the larvae are in the great majority in an advanced stage (metazoea or decapodit), where they can be easily captured by neuston nets. In such place, they are expecting the high tides to be transported back to the parental habitat, where they will settle. Financial support: FAPESP #04/15194-6; CAPES

126 Coquimbo - Chile 14- 17 October 2007 POSTER CONTRIBUTIONS

COMPARATIVE ANALYSIS OF THE MATURE GONADS IN OCYPODIDAE CRABS FROM SOUTH AMERICAN EAST COAST Negreiros-Fransozo, M.L.1, López Greco, LS.2,3, Santos, D.C.1, 4, Fransozo, V.1 1 NEBECC (Crustacean biology, ecology and culture study group), Dept. Zoologia, Instituto de Biociências, UNESP, 18618- 000 Botucatu, SP, Brasil; 2 Dept. of Biodiversity and Experimental Biology, FCEyN, University of Buenos Aires, Cdad. Univ. C1428EHA, Buenos Aires, Argentina; 3CONICET; 4Dept. Morfologia, Instituto de Biociências, UNESP, 18618-000 Botucatu, SP, Brasil. E-mail: [email protected]

Ocypodidae crabs, namely Ucides cordatus and several Uca species, inhabit mainly estuaries and mangrove bottoms and Ocypode quadrata lives on sand shores from South American east coast. Although many aspects about their reproductive biology are known, such information is dispersed and it has not been studied from a comparative point of view. This research was aimed at comparing the gonad morphology of Ucides cordatus, Ocypode quadrata, Uca rapax and U. uruguayensis at histological level. Mature crabs were sampled in Brazilian coast and processed following routine procedure for histological analyses. Only crabs in intermoult period and with well developed gonads were used in the present study. For the males, the size of the spermatophores was measured and the number of spermatozoa/spermatophore in each section was estimated, while for females, the size of the oocytes was measured. The spermatophores of the four species have oval shape and they differ (ANOVA on ranks; α = 0.05) in size (O. quadrata > U. cordatus > U. uruguayensis > U. rapax) and in the number of spermatozoa/spermatophore (U. cordatus > O. quadrata > U. uruguayensis > U. rapax). Concerning mature female gonads, in all studied species, the ovarian wall lacks muscular cells, oogonias are rarely observed and the predominant cellular stage (higher than 85 %) is the oocyte in secondary vitellogenesis, characterized by its large size and cytoplasm totally filled with yolk platelets and globules. The mean oocyte diameter of primary and secondary stages reveals two groups: one for Uca with smaller mean diameter and other one for Ucides-Ocypode species with larger mean diameter (ANOVA; α = 0.05). The observed differences might be associated to the terrestrially degree experienced by these ocypodid crabs (Ucides- Ocypode>Uca), other reproductive features as the fecundity, mating behavior mechanisms or even phylogenetic relationships among these studied genus. Financial support: CNPq/Prosul#490208/2005

LIVING IN A CRITICAL SALINITY ZONE – SOME PHYSIOLOGICAL STUDIES ON THE BALTIC SEA CRUSTACEANS Normant, M., Gibowicz, M., Lapucki, T., Szaniawska, A. Institute of Oceanography, the University of Gdansk, Al. M. Pilsudskiego 46, 81-378 Gdynia, Poland. E-mail: [email protected]

The low average salinity of the Baltic Sea, which amounts to 5-8 psu, forms a physiological barrier to the distribution of many aquatic organisms and only the species highly tolerant towards salinity are able to live there. Crustaceans represent a large group of the Baltic invertebrates which are characterised by a variety of responses to salinity. Research into different crustaceans (the isopod Idotea chelipes, amphipod Gammarus tigrinus and the decapod Rhithropanopeus harrisii), nowadays inhabiting the brackish waters (7 psu) of the Baltic Sea has shown that their haemolymph is hyper-osmotic compared to the external environment. The ratios varied from 2.1 : 1 for I. chelipes to 2.9 :1 for G. tigrinus and R. harrisii. All the studied species operate at the highest metabolic level in the brackish waters of the Baltic Sea due to the active ion transport against the salinity gradient. The metabolic rates at 7 psu (T = 15-18 oC) were significantly (P < 0.05) related to the specimen’s wet weight and varied from 1.78 ± 0.93 J h-1 g-1 ww in R. harrisii (n = 25, av. ww 443.9 ± 354.5 mg) to 7.49 ± 3.36 J h-1 g-1 ww in I. chelipes (n = 28, av. ww 11.7 ± 5.5 mg) and to 5.80 ± 3.10 J h-1 g-1 ww in G. tigrinus (n = 25, av. ww 10.9 ± 5.0 mg). The exposure to higher salinities caused significant (P < 0.05) reduction in osmotic capacities and energy metabolisms of all studied crustaceans, but the rates of changes varied among species due to many factors, i. e. differences in osmoregulation patterns, the contribution of the passive processes as well as other mechanisms involved in osmotic regulation.

127 Coquimbo - Chile 14- 17 October 2007 POSTER CONTRIBUTIONS

OCCURRENCE OF PINNOTHERID CRABS (DECAPODA: BRACHYURA) IN MOLLUSK POPULATIONS OF SAN ANTONIO OESTE, PATAGONIA ARGENTINA Ocampo, E.1,4, Farias, N.E.2,3, Chiaradia, N.M.1,4, Cledón, M.1,2,4 1 Laboratorio Biodiversidad de Crustáceos Universidad Nacional de Mar Del Plata, Bs.As., Argentina; 2 Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET); 3 Laboratorio de Invertebrados, Universidad Nacional de Mar Del Plata, Bs.As., Argentina; 4 Aquarium Mar del Plata, Av. Martinez de Hoz, Mar del Plata, Bs. As., Argentina. E-mail: [email protected]

Pinnotherid crabs are inhabitants of a wide variety of marine hosts. In Argentina most of the works on these crabs are limited to taxonomic discussions. More over there is little knowledge on their ecology worldwide. In order to asses the frequency changes in time of pinnotherid crabs in common mollusks of San Antonio Oeste, we compared an available dataset of 2003 with a new sampling of the gastropods Crepidula cachimilla, C. aculeata and the bivalve Atrina seminuda collected during April 2007. We found Calyptraeotheres garthi associated to Crepidula sp. and Tumidotheres maculatus to A. seminuda in both years. The occurrence frequencies were steady around 0.475 in A. seminuda. In C. cachimilla, it changed from 0.3 to 1. In the other hand, C. garthi was registered in C. aculeata for the first time. In 2004 it was possible to find C. cachimilla on every available hard substrate in groups of 2 to 10, while in 2007 it almost disappeared from the area. This drastic decrease is coincident with the new presence of C. garthi inside C. aculeata paleal chamber. These findings could be explained by a forced shift from a preferred host to a more frequent one.

NATURAL MORTALITY IN CRUSTACEANS: CONTRAST BETWEEN SOUTH EAST PACIFIC AND CARIBBEAN POPULATIONS Párraga, D.P.1, Duarte, L.O.2, Zilleruelo, R.M.1 1 Instituto de Fomento Pesquero IFOP, Blanco 839, Casilla 8V, Valparaíso, Chile; 2 Universidad de Magdalena, Carrera 32 N°22-08, Santa Marta D.T.C.H. Colombia. E-mail: [email protected]

Population dynamics are controlled basically by 3 processes: mortality, recruitment and individual growth. Therefore it is necessary to know mortality in the marine population to obtain a better understanding of the population dynamics. Natural mortality (M) measures the rate of loss in a fish stock from natural causes (non fishing), such as aging, diseases and depredation (including cannibalism), and its estimation is fundamental for modelling and fisheries management. In this work, a comparison is made between M (gathered in literature) between two groups of crustaceans, one from the Caribbean Sea and the other from the South East Pacific, and an estimation of M is made with empirical models (using life history parameters). Using estimations of M from previous works, with the Bootstrap approach we estimated a mean M value of 3.3942 for the Caribbean and 0.3757 for South East Pacific. While with empirical models we obtained mean M values of 3.5119 for the Caribbean and 0.2801 for SE Pacific. Non parametric Kruskal-Wallis test indicated significant differences between zones (P <0.001), for both previous M estimations bootstrap mean and empirical models. Tests also showed no significant differences for M between sexes in the same geographical area (P>0.05 for both Caribbean and SE Pacific). Higher values of M for tropical shallow water shrimps are related with a quicker growth (high K value) usually found in short life animals, while low values of K are usually related to low values of M. Latitudinal differences between the two geographical zones affects mortality between populations, low latitude individuals increase their metabolic functions due to higher water temperature, while lower temperature individuals, the opposite. Competition theory states that depredation can be an important cause of mortality, and it seems to decrease as depth increases. In this context, SE Pacific deep water shrimps (200 to 500 m) can be affected to a lower extent by predation, in contrast with Caribbean species that grow in shallower waters (100 m) which are more susceptible to be affected by this factor.

128 Coquimbo - Chile 14- 17 October 2007 POSTER CONTRIBUTIONS

PHYSIOLOGICAL RESPONSES OF JUVENILE KING CRAB Lithodes santolla (MOLINA, 1782) (DECAPODA: LITHODIDAE) TO OXYGEN AVAILABILITY Paschke, K1, Rosas, C.2, Cumillaf, J.P.1, Loyola, S.1, Sanchez, A.2, Chimal, M.E.2, Urbina, M.1, Gebauer, P.3 1 Instituto de Acuicultura, Universidad Austral de Chile P.O. Box 1327, Puerto Montt, Chile; 2 Unidad Multidisciplinaria de Docencia e Investigación, UMDI. Puerto de Abrigo s/n, Sisal, Yucatán, México; 3 Centro de Investigaciones I-Mar. Universidad de Los Lagos. Puerto Montt, Chile. E-mail: [email protected]

The southern king crab Lithodes santolla, an important fishery resource in Chile and Argentina, is captured in some places were the oxygen tension drops to 3 mg*l-1. While there is some knowledge on their reproductive biology and fisheries, there is no information on physiological adaptations during migration through low oxygen waters. The main objective of this study is to describe the physiological changes triggered by low oxygen concentrations in juveniles of L. santolla reared in the laboratory. Ten animals (~16.6 mm carapace length) were exposed individually to 5 treatments (total: 50 animals): oxygen concentrations of 1(hypoxia), 2, 4, 6 and ~9(normoxia) mg*l-1 in two experiments: “long incubation” for 10 days and “shock” for ~3 hours. 70% of the juvenile king crabs survived after 10 days under hypoxic conditions (1 mg*l-1) and no mortality was observed in the other treatments as well as for all treatments of the “shock” experiment. For both experiments, oxygen consumption (VO2) dropped at lower oxygen concentrations with a Critical Point close to 4 mg*l-1. Dissolved proteins in the blood (BDP) showed a similar pattern as VO2, diminishing significantly at 2 and 1 mg*l-1, while under hypoxia shock-treated animals showed higher BDP compared to the long-treated. A similar pattern was found for blood oxy-hemocyanin (BOHC), with lower values after 10 days of low oxygen availability, and higher values for “shock” under hypoxia. Blood hemocytes (BHE) were significantly lower only for hypoxia “long”-treated animals, but 5.7 fold higher for the “shock”-treatment. Juvenile king crabs showed a wide spectrum of physiological responses under all studied oxygen concentrations, ranging from regulatory behavior followed by compensation in VO2, to modifying concentration of BDP, BOHC and BHE, allowing this species to survive in a wide range of environments with variable oxygen availability. Acknowledgements: FONDEF D02i1163, D05i10217, D04 I1401; DID UACh S-2003-45

PERACARID FAUNA ASSOCIATED TO THE SPONGE Tedania ignis (DUCHASSAING & MICHELOTTI, 1864) FROM SOUTHEASTERN BRAZIL Pavani, L., Leite, F.P.P. Department of Zoology, Institute of Biology, CP 6109, UNICAMP, 13083-970, Campinas, SP, Brazil. E-mail: [email protected]

The fauna associated to sponges, especially peracarids, are almost unknown in Brazil. The present study describes the seasonal variation of the amphipods, isopods and tanaids species associated to the fire-sponge Tedania ignis collected from August 2004 to July 2005 at Praia das Cigarras, São Sebastião Channel, São Paulo State, Brazil. Montly, the peracaridan fauna of six samples of T. ignis was identified and counted. The amphipods were dominants with 23 species: the gammarideans Ampithoe ramondi, Batea catharinensis, Corophium sp, Cymadusa filosa, Dulichiella appendiculata, Elasmopus brasiliensis, Ericthonius brasiliensis, Gammaropsis togoensis, Hyale macrodactyla, Apohyale media, Hyale nigra, Jassa slatteryi, Lembos hypacanthus, Leucothoe sp, Podocerus fissipes, Shoemakerella nasuta, Stenothoe sp. and the caprellideans: Caprella danilevskii, C. dilatata, C. equilibra, C. scaura, Fallotritella mountoucheti, Paracaprella pusilla. Also, were identified three species of isopods (Janaira gracilis, Paracerceis sculpta and one Anthuridae) and two of tanaids (Zeuxo coralensis and Leptochelia dubia). The lower number of species was recorded in summer and autumn months (from 3 in January to 9 in March) and the higher in the winter and spring (from 12 in July to 18 in August). Although the high species richness, none of them was abundant (from 1 to 163 individuals per month) neither dominant. Some species occurring just once month, like the tanaid Leptochelia dubia. Few species inhabit interior canals of sponges but most of them were epibionts, probably due to the not favorable conditions inside sponges as few space or production of toxic secondary metabolites.

129 Coquimbo - Chile 14- 17 October 2007 POSTER CONTRIBUTIONS

BODY FEATURES AND THE SYMBIOTIC LIFESTYLE: Austinixa aidae ASSOCIATED WITH Callichirus major GALLERIES, SOUTHERN ATLANTIC, BRAZIL Peiró, D.F.1,2, Mossolin, E.C.1, Mantelatto, F. L.1 1 Laboratory of Bioecology and Crustacean Systematics, Department of Biology, Faculty of Philosophy, Science and Letters of Ribeirão Preto (FFCLRP), University of São Paulo (USP) – Av. Bandeirantes 3900, CEP 14040-901, Ribeirão Preto, SP, Brazil; 2 Program of Post-Graduation on Comparative Biology. E-mail: [email protected]

The morphological body aspects versus the symbiotic lifestyle of Austinixa aidae was studied by the biometric relationship between the carapace width (CW) and the carapace length (CL). This crab is symbiotic on the galleries of the ghost shrimp Callichirus major in Southeastern Brazil (state of São Paulo). The samples were carried out at 2-month intervals on the intertidal zone of sand beaches, from May/2005 to September/2006, with manual suction pumps during low tides. The males’ size ranged from 2.0 to 10.1 mm (CW) (5.8 ± 2.2 mm), and the females’ size from 2.5 to 10.5 mm (CW) (6.1 ± 2 mm), and were not statistically different (P > 0.05). The juvenile’s size (specimens with undifferentiated pleopods) ranged from 1.0 to 5.2 mm (CW) (2.4 ± 0.7 mm). The carapace width of the juveniles, males and females was positively correlated with the carapace length (CL) (r = 0.94; r = 0.94; and r = 0.82, respectively; P < 0.05). In the males and females the CW was, on average, 2.4 ± 0.4 times of CL, and in juveniles 1.9 ± 0.3. The adult crabs presented the carapace proportionally narrower than the individuals of the first size classes, which were more rounded. These features had been suggested as adaptations to commensalistic or parasitic lifestyle, for inhabiting Callianassidae galleries or Polychaeta pipes. The lateral elongation of the carapace and shorter lengthways, and the enlargement of third pair of walking legs presumably facilitate lateral movement inside host burrows. Financial support: CAPES.

DO Munida gregaria AND M. subrugosa SHARE THE SAME FEEDING HABIT? Pérez-Barros, P.1,2, Romero, M.C.1, Calcagno, J.A.2, Lovrich, G.A.1 1 Centro Austral de Investigaciones Científicas (CADIC-CONICET) – Houssay 200, Ushuaia, Tierra del Fuego, Argentina; 2 Departamento de Ecología, Genética y Evolución, Facultad de Cs. Exactas y Naturales, Universidad de Buenos Aires. Argentina. E-mail: [email protected]

Munida gregaria and M. subrugosa are two very closely related sympatric morphospecies of squat lobsters. Among their morphologic differences, the distinct shapes of the dactylus and propodus of the third maxillipeds may be related to different feeding habits. We hypothesized that M. gregaria, characterized by having wide maxillipeds would be a deposit feeder, while M. subrugosa with more slender maxillipeds, a predator. A total of 91 adult Munida gregaria and 88 M. subrugosa were caught in the Beagle Channel during November 2004. The organic matter (OM) present in each stomach was quantified, and the importance of different food components in the diet was estimated by calculating their frequency of occurrence (FO) and their relative abundance (RA). The quantity of OM was similar in both morphospecies (5.85 ±2.16 and 6.66 ±1.43 mgOM · gDM animal-1 for M. gregaria and M. subrugosa, respectively; Student´s t-test, p= 0.22). Both morphospecies fed mainly on crustaceans, small macroalgae, sediment and particulate organic matter (POM). Sediment and POM were found in almost all stomach contents analyzed (FO ≥97.5), and represented 59% and 56% of the stomach contents of Munida gregaria and M. subrugosa, respectively. The RAs of sediment (21.9 and 24.8% for M. gregaria and M. subrugosa, respectively) and POM (36.8 and 30.9% for M. gregaria and M. subrugosa, respectively) were similar in both morphospecies (Student´s t-test, p= 0.17 and p= 0.08 for sediment and POM, respectively). However, M. subrugosa consumed significantly more crustaceans than M. gregaria (34.5 and 13.9% for M. subrugosa and M. gregaria, respectively; Student´s t-test, p<< 0.01), and M. gregaria consumed significantly more algae than M. subrugosa (21.3 and 5.6% for M. gregaria and M. subrugosa, respectively; Student´s t-test, p<< 0.01). Notwithstanding these differences, both morphospecies are predators as well as deposit feeders.

130 Coquimbo - Chile 14- 17 October 2007 POSTER CONTRIBUTIONS

INDEX OF REPRODUCTIVE POTENTIAL OF THE SPINY LOBSTER Panulirus inflatus (DECAPODA: PALINURIDAE) IN THE GULF OF CALIF0RNIA, MEXICO. Pérez-González, R., Valadez, L.M., Sandoval, M.A. Facultad de Ciencias del Mar, Universidad Autónoma de Sinaloa, Apdo. Postal 610, Mazatlán, Sinaloa, México. C.P. 82000. E-mail: [email protected]

Some aspects on the reproduction of the tropical spiny lobster Panulirus inflatus were studied in the Gulf of California, Mexico, from samples with bottom-set nets and from commercial divers’ catches. Samples were obtained in the lower portion of the southeast Gulf of California, on the coast of the state of Nayarit, Mexico, from February to December 2002. Ovigerous females ranged in size and weight from 50.5-87.0 mm carapace length (CL) (mean±SD= 66.7±7.9 mm) and from 110.7-640.0 g (mean±SD= 318.5±104.1 g), respectively. The smallest ovigerous females measured 50.5 mm CL. In general, the percentage of ovigerous females increased with size, from 25.7% in the size class 56-58 mm CL to 100.0% in the 90-96 mm class. There is evidence that P. inflatus is capable of producing repetitive broods, therefore we assumed three and four spawn per year, in females in the size classes 58-60 and > 68 mm CL, respectively. Females in size classes 64-78 mm CL produced 64.2% of all eggs and had the highest IRPs, due to their highest numbers in the population and their number of broods per year. However, the 80-82 and 84-86 mm CL classes had the highest productivity index (F= 2.73 and 3.17, respectively), because of the prevalence of ovigerous females in this class and their larger brood sizes, making the 84-86 size class 63.4 times more productive than the recently mature 54-56 mm CL class (F= 0.05). The stresses the importance of large female for the production of eggs in the population. Egg loss during the incubation period was estimated between 30.3% and 39.1%.

MOLECULAR PHYLOGENY OF SELECTED REPRESENTATIVES OF THE PRAWN GENUS Macrobrachium (DECAPODA, PALAEMONIDAE) BASED ON 16S MTDNA. Pileggi, L.G.1,2, Mantelatto, F. L.1 1 Laboratory of Bioecology and Crustacean Systematics, Department of Biology, Faculty of Philosophy, Sciences and Letters of Ribeirão Preto (FFCLRP), University of São Paulo (USP), Brazil; 2 Program of Post-Graduation on Comparative Biology. E-mail: [email protected]

The Palaemonidae family is constituted by a diverse group of decapods crustaceans that reach a great evolutional success, inhabiting marine, estuarine and freshwater environments. Prawns of the genus Macrobrachium Bate, 1868 constitute one of the most widespread crustacean genera distributed globally across the tropical and subtropical waters, and over 200 species have been assigned to this genus worldwide. The greatest diversity of Macrobrachium species occurs in the Indo-Pacific region while, South-Central America present a considerable number of species. Despite the group present a long taxonomic history, it can be considered difficult taxonomically due to the presence of a great interespecific conservatism and considerable intraespecific variation. The aim of present study was to carry out a phylogenetic analysis, based in molecular data (mtDNA 16S) from diverse species of the genus using distance and parsimony methods. Molecular data were obtained amplifying a region of approximately 500pb of the gene 16SmtDNA with posterior sequencing. The sequences were edited in the computational program BioEdit 7.05 and aligned in the ClustalW. Phylogenetic analyses were conducted using PAUP 4.0b10 for distance and POY 4.0 for parsimony analyses. Other sequences, previously deposited in the GenBank, were used in the analyses in addition to the sequences obtained in the present study. Our results showed some convergence with studies based in morphology and the monophyletic status of the group was corroborated as proposed in previous studies. Our analysis showed a great similarity between the type species of the group (M. americanum) with M. carcinus suggesting that the synonym hypothesis can be valid. Financial support: FAPESP (05/50651-1); CNPq

131 Coquimbo - Chile 14- 17 October 2007 POSTER CONTRIBUTIONS

COPPER ACCUMULATION IN THE AMPHIPOD Gammarus sp.: INVESTIGATION OF METAL BINDING TO HYDROSOLUBLE PROTEINS Pinho, G.L.L., Saint-Louis, R., Bianchini, A., Pelletier, E. Programa de Pós-Graduação em Oceanografia Biológica, Fundação Universidade Federal do Rio Grande (FURG) Campus Carreiros, Av. Itália km 8, 96201-900 Rio Grande, RS, Brazil. E-mail: [email protected]

This study investigated the body copper accumulation in the amphipod Gammarus sp. as a function of metal concentration in sea water (salinity 27), after 5 days of exposure at 14ºC. Nominal metal concentrations added to the water were 0.1, 0.5, 1.0, 5.0 and 10 mg Cu/L. After exposure, surviving amphipods from each tested concentration were pooled, lyophilized, powdered, weighed and prepared for two different analyses: (a) whole-body copper concentration after acid digestion (HNO3 and H2O2 at 80ºC) by Inductive Coupled Plasma – Mass Spectrometry (ICP-MS), and (b) distribution of copper-binding proteins after aqueous extraction. In this case, samples were analyzed on an HPLC column (5-150 KDa) by Size Exclusion Chromatography (SEC). Protein molecular weights (MWs) were determined by relating the retention time of protein peaks from samples with that from standard proteins used for calibration. Regarding copper accumulation, a clear saturation type kinetics was observed with Km and Vmax values of 0.48 mg Cu/L and 713.3 µg Cu/g dw, respectively. SEC associated with ICP–MS showed that Proteins with MWs <12 KDa might be equivalent to the copper-binding metallothioneins in Gammarus sp., but certainly other proteins are also involved in copper accumulation in this species. This statement is based on the fact that proteins with MWs >15 KDa (maximum MWs of metallothioneins reported in the literature) were shown to be bound to copper.

INFLUENCE OF SALINITY, FEEDING REGIME AND COPPER ON REPRODUCTION OF THE EURYHALINE COPEPOD Acartia tonsa Pinho, G.L.L, Lauer, M.M., Rodrigues, S.C., Bersano, J.G.F., Bianchini, A. Programa de Pós-Graduação em Oceanografia Biológica, Fundação Universidade Federal do Rio Grande (FURG) Campus Carreiros, Av. Itália km 8, 96201-900 Rio Grande, RS, Brazil. E-mail: [email protected]

The influence of salinity, feeding regime, and copper on reproductive performance of the euryhaline copepod Acartia tonsa was determined using the number of eggs produced per female per day and the eggs hatching rate as endpoints. Different combinations of salinity (5, 15 and 30), feeding regime (12 h-a-day and 24 h-a-day) and copper exposure (6-d LC10 for waterborne or waterborne plus dietborne copper exposure) were tested for 6 days. Results showed that copepod reproduction was dependent on salinity and feeding regime. A significantly better reproductive performance was observed in seawater (salinity 30) than in the lowest salinity tested (salinity 5). In all salinities, reproductive performance was significantly higher when the 24 h-a-day feeding regime was adopted. Waterborne copper exposure significantly reduced the number of eggs produced per female per day, but not the eggs hatching rate. On the other hand, no significant effect was observed after copepod exposure to the waterborne plus dietborne copper. These findings indicate that both salinity and food availability significantly affect the reproductive performance of the euryhaline copepod A. tonsa. Furthermore, they point to the need for considering the important influence of both salinity and food availability when interpreting and modeling the chronic copper toxicity data in euryhaline zooplankters, as for example in the scope of a future extension of the Biotic Ligand Model for estuarine and marine waters. Financial support: Internacional Copper Association

132 Coquimbo - Chile 14- 17 October 2007 POSTER CONTRIBUTIONS

COPPER DISTRIBUTION IN THE COPEPOD Calanus hyperboreus. Pinho, G.L.L., St-Pierre, S., Clermont, Y., Bianchini, A., Rouleau, C. Programa de Pós-Graduação em Oceanografia Biológica, Fundação Universidade Federal do Rio Grande (FURG) Campus Carreiros, Av. Itália km 8, 96201-900 Rio Grande, RS, Brazil. E-mail: [email protected]

In small invertebrates, studies on metal distribution and quantification are technically difficult. Thus, only whole-body metal accumulation is often analyzed. In this context, autoradiography is an alternative technique. In this case, animals are imaging- analyzed and metal distribution and accumulation can be verified. Using this method, we studied the short-term distribution 64 and accumulation of copper in the copepod Calanus hyperboreus. Two groups of 20 copepods were exposed for 2h to CuNO3 (73.4 nCi.ml-1) in natural seawater (27‰, 10ºC) and after, were exposed for more 2h in seawater to depuration. Whole-body copper concentration was determined every 30min using gamma spectrometry. Copper distribution was imaging-analyzed from interorgan whole-body autoradiography. Most of copper accumulation was in the first 30min of exposure, indicating that this metal is quickly accumulated in C. hyperboreus. No significant copper excretion after depuration was observed, indicating that copper elimination by copepods takes more than 2h to occur. Most of copper was on copepod body surfaces (89.5%) being observed in the telson (14.3±4.7%), dorsal (25.6±6.3%) and ventral (49.6±6.1%) regions. The remaining copper was accumulated in internal organs (10.5±2.6%). After depuration, copper distribution and accumulation was similar to that observed after exposure period. Taken all together, these findings indicate that copper is quickly bound to the copepod surfaces, but only a small fraction is accumulated in internal organs. Thus, data on whole-body copper in copepods, which were obtained using traditional techniques, should be carefully interpreted, considering the results reported in the present study.

REVIEW OF EASTERN PACIFIC TETHYAN RELICTS OF THE CONCAVINAE (CIRRIPEDIA: BALANOMORPHA) INCLUDING A COMPARISON OF THE APPENDAGES OF Arossia AND Menesiniella Pitombo, F.B.1, Ross, A.2, Newman, W.A.3 1 Departamento de Biologia Marinha, Universidade Federal Fluminense, CP 100.644. Niterói, RJ CEP 24001-970, Brazil; 2 Deceased; 3 Scripps Institution of Oceanography, La Jolla, California 92093-0202, USA. E-mail: [email protected]

While representatives of the Concavinae ranged from northern Japan, the Eastern Pacific, and tropical Atlantic to perhaps the Western Indian Ocean during much of the Tertiary (a Tethyan distribution), the greatest diversity developed in Europe and the Mediterranean (Central Tethys). However, today the situation is pretty much reversed, there being two relatively closely related extant genera of five species, and a distantly related genus of two species, in the Eastern Pacific, whereas only one distantly related extant genus and species survives in what now remains of Central Tethys. Of the closely related Eastern Pacific genera, Menesiniella Newman, 1982, ranges from San Francisco (38°N) to southernmost Baja California, and Arossia Newman, 1982, from the Gulf of California to Chile. The later contains three species; A. eyerdami (Henry, 1960), A. panamensis (Rogers, 1948) and A. henryae (Newman, 1982). The hereto-unknown mouthparts and cirri of A. henryae are described, illustrated, and compared with those of the other Eastern Pacific species for the first time. Furthermore, the extent of its southern range, previously the “Peru-Chilean” province, can now be reported to be at least as far south as 42°S. As now understood, the Concavinae represents an eastern and western Tethyan disjunct distribution. Such a relict pattern, first recognized by Darwin, is also nicely demonstrated by several other organisms including a stalked barnacle genus; Pollicipes pollicipes in the eastern Atlantic and P. polymerus and P. elegans in the eastern Pacific.

133 Coquimbo - Chile 14- 17 October 2007 POSTER CONTRIBUTIONS

UNDERSTANDING DEEP SEA BIODIVERSITY: BIOGEOGRAPHIC PATTERNS OF DECAPOD CRUSTACEANS ALONG WESTERN AUSTRALIA'S CONTINENTAL MARGIN Poore, G.C.B.1, McCallum, A.W. 1, Williams, A.2 1 Museum Victoria, GPO Box 666, Melbourne, Vic.C 3001; 2 CSIRO Marine and Atmospheric Research, PO Box 1538, Hobart, Tas. 7001. E-mail: [email protected]

Surveys of Western Australia’s continental margin (~100 to 1000 m depths) were undertaken in 2005 by CSIRO Marine and Atmospheric research in conjunction with museum taxonomists from around Australia. The species composition and distributional patterns of decapod crustaceans were investigated by Museum Victoria with the aim of testing hypotheses on taxonomic surrogacy and the biogeography of Australia’s biodiversity. Decapods are useful in this context as they have a diverse and relatively well documented taxonomy in Australia, and feature strongly in biogeographic debates. Our collections come from 16 latitudinal sites between Albany and Ningaloo at 100 and 400 m depth, and 7 cross-depth transects (100, 200, 400, 700, 1000m) made on special features of interest. Over 500 species of decapods have since been identified to species, with 34% of those undescribed (or probably so). Many species were rare with 42% found in just one sample (of 130), and 17% in only two samples. Species diversity appears higher at lower latitudes, as expected. An immediate use of these data is to inform Australia’s bioregionalisation - which for offshore regions is based largely on the distributions of fishes. Our analysis of the decapod fauna will represent both the species-rich groups that typically drive patterns in multispecies analyses, and account for the many rare species that predominate in this collection.

ECOLOGICAL ASPECTS OF THE SEABOB Xiphopenaeus kroyeri IN THE SOUTH OF THE GULF OF MEXICO: RELATIONSHIPS WITHIN ENVIRONMENT Ramos Miranda, J., Antonio Roca, W.C., Flores Hernández, D., Sosa López, A. Centro EPOMEX, Universidad Autónoma de Campeche, Av. Agustín Melgar s/n, entre Juan de la Barrera y calle 20. Col. Buenavista. CP. 24090, Campche, Campeche, Mexico. E-mail: [email protected]

The Seabob shrimp is an important species by its abundance in the coastal zone of the Tabasco-Campeche, south of the Gulf of Mexico and is target for the artisanal fisheries. It has been observed that this species had increased in abundance in the south- western zone of Laguna de Terminos, from the first studies made in 1972. The natural environmental variability had modified the zone allowing its colonization. The present study was made with the purpose of defining the environmental variables that benefit the abundance and distribution for species during an annual cycle (February 2006-January 2007). Sampling was made by means of a systematic sampling in 37 sites, using a trawl net (5m of length and 2.5m of mouth opening, with 0,4 X 0,6 m doors). The area trawled by station was of 2315 m2. Additionally in each site the hydrological variables were measured: temperature, salinity, pH and oxygen in surface and bottom, with a multiparametric sound. Also sechii was determined, the amount of chlorophylls (method of extraction by acetone) and the organic sediment materia. The results showed that the highest abundance (density and biomass) was observed in July with adult organisms (7,21 cm TL) and this pattern modifies through the year. In the spatial level the greatest abundance appear in stations 26 and 31, to the interior of the lagoon; this associated to fresh water contributions. The environmental variability was analyzed with an ANOVA analysis and test of multiple comparisons of Tukey. These observations were corroborated through an ACC, in which first two factors contributed almost the 100% of the explained variance. It is observed that during the rainy season (July-October), that abundance is associated to low temperatures and high salinities; in stormy season (November-January) to clear and high waters salinity and in dry seasons it’s associated to high temperatures.

134 Coquimbo - Chile 14- 17 October 2007 POSTER CONTRIBUTIONS

COMPARISON OF THE BIODIVERSITY OF DECAPODA AND STOMATOPODA BETWEEN THE INNER AND OUTER FJORDS OF THE X AND XI REGION Retamal, M. Universidad de Concepción, Facultad de Ciencias Naturales y Oceanograficas, Casilla 160C, Barrio Universitario, Cabina 5, Concepción, Chile. E-mail: [email protected]

The fjord region of Southern Chile is highly productive, as underlined by the high diversity and abundance of larvae from pelagic and benthic Decapoda and Stomatopoda in plankton samples. Oceanographic and biological studies in the fjords of the X and XI Region were conducted during the cruises CIMAR 7 and 8 on board R/V “Vidal Gormaz” to examine whether differences in coastal, geological and oceanographic conditions (water depth, ice melting and salinity) between the inner (eastern) and outer (western) fjords affect the diversity of benthic decapods and stomatopods. The inner fjords are deep and close to glaciers, with large quantities of freshwaters run-off, while the outer fjords open to the Pacific with limited freshwater input. Samples were collected with an Agassiz trawl during austral winter 2001 and 2002 at depths of 58 - 530 m. In the inner fjords 16 families with 23 species of Decapods and 1 species of Stomatopoda were found, which compared to 16 families, 23 species from the Decapoda and 1 stomatopod species in the outer fjords. Almost all species were known and had been previously recorded from the same latitudes and depths, but some were collected for the first time from the outer fjords. The high diversity and abundance in the outer fjords can be explained by the scarce freshwater influence. This is also true for the inner fjords where low salinities are only found in the upper water layers (C. Calvette, personal comment), thus not negatively affecting the diversity of crustaceans or other taxa such as Molluscs at the deeper stations (C. Osorio, personal comment). The patchy distribution of benthic decapods and stomatopods can be explained by detritus accumulations observed by a Remotely Operated Vehicle. Some stations, especially at the mouth of the outer fjords, were devoid of detritus and sediments, harboring fewer crustacean species.

NOT ANY TWO WILL DO: DNA DIVERGENCE AND INTERPOPULATION REPRODUCTIVE COMPATIBILITY IN A SIMULTANEOUS HERMAPHRODITIC SHRIMP, Lysmata wurdemanni Rhyne, A.L.1 Zhang, D.2, Lin, J.2, Schizas, N.3 1 University of Florida, Institute of Food and Agriculture Sciences, Indian River Research and Education Center, Fort Pierce, Florida 34945 USA. 2 Florida Institute of Technology, Vero Beach Marine Lab, Vero Beach Florida 32963 USA. 3. Department of Marine Sciences, University of Puerto Rico, Mayagüez, Isla Magueyes Laboratories, Puerto Rico 00667, USA. E-mail: [email protected]

We studied the molecular population structure of the hermaphroditic caridean shrimp Lysmata wurdemanni, which is distributed along the east coast of USA and the Gulf of Mexico. Four populations spanning across the reported range were sampled: North Carolina (NC), Florida east coast (FLE), Florida Keys (FLK), and Texas (TX). Of the three populations tested for interpopulation breeding (FLE, FLK, TX), Florida populations crossed with the Texas population failed to successfully hybridize during the experimental period. Additionally, there appears to be a strong directionality between Florida and Texas crosses. A 540 bp segment of the mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase I gene (COI) and 497 bp segment of 16S was sequenced. A total of 17 (COI) and 8 (16S) unique haplotypes were identified. AMOVA results underline the distinct nature of the L. wurdemanni populations, revealing that >95% of the variance is distributed among the four populations. Neighbor- joining and maximum parsimony analysis of the two genes supports the hypothesis that the TX vs. FLK and FLE populations are disconnected and gene flow ceased approximately 7 million years ago (MYA). The two Florida populations (FLK and FLE) diverged approximately 2.5 MYA. The NC and FLE populations can not be distinguished phylogenetically. This is an example of a marine species where the potential for larval dispersal is greatly unrealized given the observed absence of gene flow and strong isolation between populations on the southeast coast of the United States and those on the Gulf Coast.

135 Coquimbo - Chile 14- 17 October 2007 POSTER CONTRIBUTIONS

PHYLOGENY OF BRANCHIOPODA (CRUSTACEA) BASED ON A COMBINED ANALYSIS OF MORPHOLOGICAL DATA AND SIX MOLECULAR LOCI Richter, S. 1,3, Olesen, J. 2, Wheeler, W. C. 3

1Institut für Spezielle Zoologie und Evolutionsbiologie, Friedrich-Schiller-Universität Jena, Erbertstr. 1, 07743 Jena, Germany; 2Zoological Museum, University of Copenhagen, Universitetsparken 15, 2100 Copenhagen Ø, Denmark; 3Division of Invertebrate Zoology, American Museum of Natural History, Central Park West at 79th Street, New York, NY 10024-5192, USA. E-mail: [email protected]

The phylogenetic relationships of branchiopod crustaceans have been in the focus of a number of recent morphological and molecular systematic studies. Although agreeing in some respects, major differences remain. We analyzed molecular sequences and morphological characters for 43 branchiopods and two outgroups. The branchiopod terminals comprise all eight ‘‘orders’’. The molecular data include six loci: two nuclear ribosomal genes (18S rRNA, 28S rRNA), two mitochondrial ribosomal genes (12S rRNA, 16S rRNA), one nuclear protein coding gene (elongation factor 1a), and one mitochondrial protein coding gene (cytochrome c oxidase subunit I). A total of 65 morphological characters were analyzed dealing with different aspects of branchiopod morphology, including internal anatomy and larval characters. The morphological analysis resulted in a monophyletic Phyllopoda, with Notostraca as the sister group to the remaining taxa supporting the Diplostraca concept (‘‘Conchostraca’’ + Cladocera). ‘‘Conchostraca’’ is not supported but Cyclestheria hislopi is the sister group to Cladocera (constituting together Cladoceromorpha) and Spinicaudata is closer to Cladoceromorpha than to Laevicaudata. Cladocera is supported as monophyletic. The combined analysis was different from the morphological analysis with respect to the position of Notostraca and Laevicaudata. Here, Laevicaudata is the sister group to the remaining Phyllopoda and Notostraca is sister group to Spinicaudata and Cladoceromorpha. A sensitivity analysis using 20 different parameter sets (different insertion–deletion [indel] ⁄ substitution and transversion ⁄ transition ratios) show the monophyly of Anostraca, Notostraca, Laevicaudata, Spinicaudata, Cladoceromorpha, Cladocera, and within Cladocera, of Onychopoda and Gymnomera under all or almost all (i.e., 19 of 20) parameter sets. Analyses with an indel-to-transversion ratio up to 2 result in monophyletic Phyllopoda, with Laevicaudata as sister group to the remaining Phyllopoda and with Spinicaudata and Cladoceromorpha as sister groups. Almost all analyses (including those with higher indel weights) result in the same topology when only ingroup taxa are considered.

SPATIAL, VERTICAL AND TEMPORAL DISTRIBUTION OF THE EUPHAUSIID Euphausia mucronata (CRUSTACEA, EUPHAUSIACEA) IN THE COASTAL UPWELLING ZONE OFF CENTRAL/SOUTHERN CHILE Riquelme-Bugueño, R., Escribano, R. Center for Oceanographic Research in the Eastern South Pacific (COPAS), PLAMZ, Marine Biology Station, University of Concepción, P.O. Box 42, Dichato, Concepción, Chile. E-mail: [email protected]

Euphausiids may substantially contribute to metazooplankton biomass in the marine ecosystem (ca. 5 to 10%) and they are important as food for fish and seabirds. In coastal upwelling zones, they feed on phytoplankton, copepods and fish eggs, acting as a link between primary producers and higher trophic levels. The endemic species of the Humboldt Current, Euphausia mucronata can reach an average biomass of 46% of total zooplankton biomass. In this work, E. mucronata were collected by vertical tows of a 1 m2 Tucker Trawl net during the COPAS Time Series Study (2002-2007) at Station 18 off Concepción (36° S) and during the oceanographic survey MoBioBio carried out in November 2004 off Concepción in coastal-oceanic areas. A multiple regression analysis shows that abundance of E. mucronata correlates significantly with low-oxygen waters, i.e. recently upwelled waters located in the coastal region. Individuals were found to actively migrate into the upper 50 m during the night time, whereas the population remains at depth within low-oxygen waters during the day. Time series analyses show a strong seasonal signal with peaks of abundance every 3-4 months (i.e. autumn and spring), and this pattern may repeat every year, although eggs are found all year-round, suggesting continuous reproduction. In terms of biomass, E. mucronata was able to reach up to 90 mg C m-3 in the autumn of 2003. The complete analysis suggests a strong link between population dynamics and life history traits of this euphausiid with upwelling variability over the seasonal scale, although the species may reproduce throughout the year providing a large contribution to the bulk of zooplankton C in this highly productive upwelling system.

136 Coquimbo - Chile 14- 17 October 2007 POSTER CONTRIBUTIONS

BIOLOGICAL ASPECTS OF FRESHWATER PRAWN Macrobrachium acanthurus AND CARIDEA COMPOSITION IN THE RIBEIRA DE IGUAPE RIVER, SOUTHERN PART OF SÃO PAULO STATE, BRAZIL Rodrigues, M.M., Bertini, G., Silva, F.M. NEBECC (Group of Studies on Crustacean Biology, Ecology and Culture); UNESP – Unidade de Registro – Rua Tamekichi Takano, 5. CEP 11900-000 - Registro, São Paulo, Brazil. E-mail: [email protected]

The purpose of this study is to verify the composition of Caridea and some biological aspects of Macrobrachium acanthurus in the Ribeira de Iguape River, region of the Ribeira Valley, in the southern part of the state of São Paulo, Brazil. Prawns were monthly collected manually by sweeping a sieve, throughout June 2005 to July 2006. Each collection comprised three sites in the Ribeira de Iguape River. The specimens of the M. acanthurus were separated by sex and measured in carapace length (CL) with a caliper (mm). A total of 6,334 prawns were captured and distributed in two families: Atyidae with Potimirim sp. (N = 1244) and Palaemonidae with Macrobrachium acanthurus (N = 5053) and M. olfersi (N = 37). The individuals of M. acanthurus were sub sampled and for analyzes were utilized 2746 specimens (1134 males, 1439 non-ovigerous females and 173 ovigerous females). Sex dimorphism was observed with respect to size. Males (CL = 9.64mm) were significantly larger than females (CL = 8,54mm). This fact can be related with differences in growth rates, patterns of population structure between sexes and domination of males during the copulation process. Ovigerous females were present from November to July, indicating that reproductive activity was continuous. Periods of higher reproductive activity were observed during the warmer and rainy months. Financial Support: Fundunesp

REPRODUCTIVE ASPECTS OF Raninoides louisianensis, RATHBUN, 1933 (DECAPODA: RANINIDAE) OF THE VENEZUELAN DELTAIC SHELF Rondón, R., Sprock, I., Salazar, K., Bolaños, J., Lira, C., Hernández, J.E, Ron, E. Escuela de Ciencias Aplicadas del Mar. Universidad de Oriente, Isla de Margarita, Venezuela. E-mail: [email protected]

Fecundity in crustaceans defined as the number of eggs liberated by a female in a single spawn or as the number of eggs carried under the abdomen by females, allows the estimation of the reproductive condition of the population. Some reproductive features of a Raninoides louisianensis population from Deltaic Shelf were studied, as a part of a baseline environmental study performed for oil exploitation. Samples were caught with hauling nets during dry and rainy seasons. Ovigerous females were measured and weighed, preceding egg masses extraction and eggs counting. Mean fecundity was determined for the population and for each size interval, Differences among mean fecundities and between seasons were analysed through ANOVA and the fecundity - weigh and fecundity – size relationships were determined, as well as the size at first sexual maturity. Mean fecundity of R. louisianensis was 1,103.18 eggs, with a minimum size at first sexual maturity of 26.2 mm carapace length, and a mean egg diameter of 1.81 mm. The fecundity of R. louisianensis is lower than the one reported for Ranina ranina maybe due to a smaller body size, a smaller abdomen size or bigger egg size in the former species. Half of the population is sexually mature at 29.2 mm carapace length. No significant differences were demonstrated for mean fecundities between the two seasons, however, an increase in percentage of ovigerous females was evidenced in the rainy time, which might point to the existence of a reproductive peak in this season, probably related to higher food availability. This study is the first contribution to the knowledge of the population biology of species within the family Raninidae in Venezuelan waters.

137 Coquimbo - Chile 14- 17 October 2007 POSTER CONTRIBUTIONS

GROWTH OF PINK SHRIMP Farfantepenaeus paulensis (PÉREZ FARFANTE 1967) IN THE PATOS LAGOON ESTUARY, RELATED TO INPUT OF SEA WATER Ruas, V., D’Incao, F. Laboratório de Crustáceos Decápodes. Fundação Universidade Federal do Rio Grande/FURG. Departamento de Oceanografia. Caixa Postal, 474. Cep: 96.201-900 – Rio Grande, RS. E-mail: [email protected]

The exploration of the pink shrimp Farfantepenaeus paulensis is the main economical and social activity of the artisanal fishermen in the estuary of the Patos Lagoon. Estuary of the Patos Lagoon is a nursery ground for the juvenile phase of Farfantepenaeus paulensis. However, penetration of post- larvae is dependent of the input of oceanic water in the estuary. To analyze growth of the pink shrimp fished by the net type " sack ", and to relate is with the variability of the salinity when the penetration of post-larvae took place, biological material was collected from February to May, and daily samples of water from February 2005 to August 2006. Variations in the percentage of shrimps below minimal size allowed to catch were observed during the sampling period. Taking info account the growth curve estimated for this species, time needed to reach the minimal size of capture is 100 and 90 days, for males and for females respectively. Salinity data showed a period of the fresh water for the months of October and November, occurring the first peaks of saline waters in the estuary only in December. This fresh water period suggests that the period of penetration of post larvae shorter than often assumed, resulting in a late penetration on period of post-larvae. Species reached the minimum size for capture only in March finding, which is supported by the growth curve for this species. Assuming that the main period of penetration of post-larvae happens from October to December, opening of the fishery should hove happened from February/March of the next year.

FIRST DATA REGARDING THE REPRODUCTIVE BIOLOGY OF THE BURROWING CRAYFISH Virilastacus rucapihuelensis RUDOLPH & CRANDALL, 2005 (DECAPODA, PARASTACIDAE) Rudolph, E.H., Godoy, A.C., Retamal, F.A. Department of Basic Sciences. University of Los Lagos. Casilla 933. Osorno. Chile. E-mail: [email protected]

Some aspects of the reproductive biology of Virilastacus rucapihuelensis were studied, based on 694 specimens captured in Rucapihuel (40º 35´S; 73º 34´W), Osorno, Chile. One verified that this species is partial protandric hermaphrodite, with males and primary females and intersexes in phases male and female. Of the 694 individuals, 403 were females and 291 males. Of the 403 females only 8.7% were incubating. The ovigerous female of smaller size measured 20.6 mm LCT and carried 20 eggs. The fecundity fluctuated between 5 and 74 eggs, and it is not correlated with the size of the females. The ovarian cycle consists of 5 stages: avitellogenic, early vitellogenic, midvitellogenic, late vitellogenic and postvitellogenic. In the adult females (LCT> 20.6 mm) the existence of associated secondary sexual characters to the incubation of eggs was verified. These data, along with the gonadosomatic indices and the diameter of the oöcytes, suggest an annual reproductive cycle with a reproductive period of December to May, vegetative of June to November and the one of incubation of June to February. Financial support: Research Department of the University of Los Lagos. Project DIULA/8123-07.

138 Coquimbo - Chile 14- 17 October 2007 POSTER CONTRIBUTIONS

REPRODUCTIVE CONDITION OF THE SPIDER CRAB Libinia spinosa (MAJIDAE) IN THE MAR DEL PLATA COAST, ARGENTINA. Sal Moyano, M.P., Gavio, M.A. Dpto. de Biología. Fac. Cs. Exactas y Naturales. Universidad Nacional Mar del Plata. Funes 3350. 7600 Mar del Plata, Argentina. E-mail: [email protected]

Spider crabs exhibit morphological changes when attain sexual maturity. The chela of males enlarges disproportionally while the abdomen of female becomes broadly oval. Previous studies we done on the population of Libinia spinosa in the coast of Mar del Plata, showed the presence of morphometrically immature males which ranged between 8-50 mm carapace width (CW), adolescents (40.4-73 mm CW), morphometrically mature males (50.7-74.2 mm CW), morphometrically immature females (8-42.2 mm CW) and mature (36.5-53.2 mm CW). Here, we present new findings concerning reproductive characteristics based on the condition of males’ vas deferens, presence of spermatophores and gonopod morphology. In the case of females, we focused on the development of the ovary, the spermathecal content and the morphology of gonopores. Samples were collected seasonally and included summer and fall 2004, spring 2006 and late summer-early fall 2007. A total of 308 males and 172 females were analyzed. Specimens (subsample) were dissected for inspection of the gonads, and the presence of spermatophores was determined by examining a squash of the vas deferens and the spermatheca of females under a microscope. Morphology of the gonopods and gonopores were analyzed using SEM, and described. The vas deferens was characterized, the distal portion in all males larger than 50 mm CW were full of spermatophores, while in those between 25-45 mm CW they were scarce or not present. Females showed a seasonal pattern of gonadal maturation. After the puberty molt, females had gonads in early stages of development mostly by the end of summer and fall, and in more advanced stages during the spring. The spermatheca is described; it showed the presence of spermatophores in most females in advanced stages of development. In this study we gathered results on morphometric and gonadal maturity and developed a staging scale for the spider crab Libinia spinosa.

A SYSTEMATIC REEVALUATION OF Callinectes STIMPSON (BRACHYURA: PORTUNIDAE) Santos, C.R.M., D’Incao, F. FURG, Departamento de Oceanografia, CP: 474, CEP: 96201-900, Rio Grande, RS, Brazil. E-mail: [email protected]

Most species of swimming crabs Callinectes are important economically and have essential role on estuaries, mangroves, bays and shoreline. The fundamental revision of genus by Williams (1974) recognized 14 valid species, but following studies changed this systematic structure of Callinectes. The evaluation on the African species separated C. larvatus (Western Atlantic) from C. marginatus (Eastern Atlantic); a new species (C. affinis) was described to Brazilian coast and the taxonomic status of C. maracaiboensis has been discussed. These studies and the known difficulty to distinguish some species of Callinectes because of extreme morphological similarities have required a systematic reevaluation of group. The aims of this work were to reevaluate the systematic and to update some distributional aspects to the species of Callinectes. We analyzed samples from Brazilian institutions, Smithsonian Institution and samples from coast of Brazil. The characters used were: number and shape of frontal teeth; shape of infraorbitals teeth and epistomal spine; shape of anterolateral teeth; granulation of chelipeds and carapace and shape and size of first pleopods to males and gonopores to females. Callinectes affinis has been confused to date with C. bocourti from northern to southern Brazilian coast, but it was considered a valid species. The Venezuelan species C. maracaiboensis is reconsidered as synonymous from C. bocourti. We recognized a total of 15 species to genus distributed in Eastern Pacific Ocean (3 species), Western Atlantic Ocean (9 species) and Eastern Atlantic Ocean (3 species). We provide an illustrated taxonomic key including all species of Callinectes.

139 Coquimbo - Chile 14- 17 October 2007 POSTER CONTRIBUTIONS

SPERMATOZOAL ULTRASTRUCUTRE OF THE MANGROVE CRAB Ucides cordatus (CRUSTACEA, BRACHYURA, OCYPODIDAE) Santos, D.C. 1, Benetti, A.S.2, Negreiros-Fransozo, M.L.2, Scelzo, M.A.3 1 Depto de Morfologia – IBB, Universidade Estadual Paulista - UNESP, 18618-000, Botucatu, SP, Brasil; 2 Depto de Zoologia – IBB, Universidade Estadual Paulista - UNESP, 18618-000, Botucatu, SP, Brasil; 3 Depto de Ciências Marinas, Universidad Nacional de Mar del Plata/CONICET, Mar del Plata, Argentina. E-mail: [email protected]

The crab Ucides cordatus is one of the most typical inhabitants of mangrove ecosystems in Brazil and it has great social economic importance along the Brazilian northeastern coast. The morphological diversity of animal spermatozoa has inspired an extensive amount of research work in diverse biological fiels. Specifically, in recent years sperm ultrastructure has become a useful tool in studies on taxonomy and phylogeny. Despite the biological and economic interest of this mangrove crab, their sperm morphology is still unkown. The present study aimed to describe the ultrastructure of the mature spermatozoa of U. cordatus. For that a small portion of the vas deferens was examined under the transmission and scanning electron microscopy. The ultrastructural analysis showed that each spermatophore consists of a varying number of spermatozoa embedded in a dense fibrillar matrix surrounded by a membrane. Similar to other decapod the spermatozoa of U. cordatus is a small lens- shaped cell, nonmotile and aflagellate. The nucleus is composed by uncondensed chromatin and presents several lateral arms distributed over the entire equatorial plane of the cell. The acrosome is characterized by three different layers. The postero- lateral surface of the acrosome is cupped by the reduced cytoplasm, and the anterior surface is covered by the operculum and the apical button, both seems to be more elongated than in Uca species. The perforatorium consists of coiled, helicoidal membranous tubules and is continuous with the cytoplasm. The accessory opercular ring can be found and only one centriole is detected. A prominent strongly electron dense ring, the “Xanthid ring” is observed in the acrossome region. In the Ocypodidae, this character seems to be specific for the genus Ucides and Ocypode, and it is not detected in Uca species. Financial support: CNPq/Prosul#490208/2005

SIZE AT FIRST SEXUAL MATURITY FOR MALE SHRIMP Pleoticus muelleri (Bate, 1888) (DECAPODA, DENDROBRANCHIATA, SOLENOCERIDAE) IN MAR DEL PLATA, BUENOS AIRES PROVINCE, ARGENTINA Scelzo, M.A. Departamento de Ciencias Marinas, Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales, Universidad Nacional de Mar del Plata/CONICET. Funes 3350, B7600AYL, Mar del Plata, Argentina. E-mail: [email protected]

Size at first morphological (fully formed petasma) and physiological (mature sperm with spike) maturity for male shrimp Pleoticus muelleri (Solenoceridae) are reported. Samples from Mar del Plata, Argentina fishing grounds at depths between 4- 10 m were taken. A total of 102 individuals were sampled with sizes ranging from 10.5 - 23.1 mm carapace length (mmCL), 41 - 130 mm total length (TLmm) and 0.6 – 19.8 g of wet weigh. Results showed similarity of size between individuals with fully formed petasma and presence of mature sperm in the vas deferens and terminal ampoule located in the coxae of fifth pereiopods. Spermatozoa were found packed into several flat oblong spermatophore tubules measuring 0.35 – 3.50 mm length that are included in a golden-yellow layers of acellular materials to form a compound spermatophore. Those spermatohpore vesicles were found in the median VD and terminal ampoule are described for the first time in the species. Weight of the male reproductive system (testis + VD) was in direct relationship with wet weight of the shrimp and reached the maximum of 1.2 g. Male gonadic index reached a maximum of 6.4 %. Sigmoid maturity curves were drawn and the average total lengths (Lm or L50) size at physiological and morphological sexual maturity was obtained. Estimated size for fist maturity of males of the species were: morphological maturity (53 mmTL) and physiological maturity (63 mmTL). According to laboratory culture of the species, the estimated age for male shrimp of 60 mmTL was five months (150 days) of life from spawning. The present information will be of great interest in reproductive biology, fisheries as well as in reproduction in captivity of the species in aquaculture activities.

140 Coquimbo - Chile 14- 17 October 2007 POSTER CONTRIBUTIONS

SPERMATOPHORE MORPHOLOGY IN THE PORCELAIN CRAB (Pachycheles laevidactylus Ortmann, 1892) (DECAPODA, ANOMURA, PORCELLANIDAE) FROM ARGENTINE MARINE WATERS Scelzo, M.A.1, Tudge, C.C.2 1 Departamento de Ciencias Marinas, FCEyN, Universidad Nacional de Mar del Plata/CONICET, Funes 3350, 7600 Mar del Plata, Argentina; 2 Biology Department, American University, 4400 Massachusetts Avenue, NW, Washington, D.C., 20016- 8007, USA & Department of Invertebrate Zoology, MRC 163, National Museum of Natural History, Smithsonian Institution, Washington, D.C. 20013-7012, USA. Ph: +1 202 885 2033 Fax: +1 202 885 2182. E-mail: [email protected]

Spermatophore morphology is described for the first time for a member of the genus Pachycheles. Pachycheles laevidactylus, is an endemic species that inhabits marine coastal waters between Pernambuco State, Brazil, and Monte Hermoso, Buenos Aires province, Argentina (Southwestern Atlantic Ocean). It is a very abundant species in the marine littoral community of rocky shores, especially at the mid-littoral and sublittoral levels. Paired operculate gonopores are ovoid in both sexes. In females the gonopores are coveredby long pappose setae while male gonopores have long serrulate setae lined with small scales. Female gonopores are bigger measuring between 94-500 µm while male gonopores measure between 108-235 µm in the major axis of diameter. Compound spermatophores fill the vas deferens cavity. Each spermatophore is a tri-partite structure composed of an ovoid ampulla attached basally to a short stalk and an extensive pedestal. The entire spermatophore measures 106 ± 27 µm (range 63-143 µm, N= 22 (TLSp). The ampulla length (AL) is 89 ± 21 µm (range 63-143 µm, N= 29) and ampulla width (AW) is 41 ± 9 µm (range 37-43 µm, N= 28). The ampulla is more than twice as long as wide (average L/W= 2.18). The spermatozoa exhibit a unique characteristic in the family with an elongate, pear-shaped body, composed mostly of a slender pointed acrosome, and a basal region with 10-15 arms.

PSEUDOSHELL RELATIONSHIP IN QUESTION: THE DEEP WATER HERMIT CRAB Sympagurus dimorphus (STUDER 1883) AND Epizoanthus sp. IN SOUTHWEST ATLANTIC OCEAN Schejter, L. 1, Mantelatto, F. L. 2 1 Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas, Instituto Nacional de Investigación y Desarrollo Pesquero, Mar del Plata, Argentina; 2 Laboratory of Bioecology and Crustacean Systematics, Department of Biology, Faculty of Philosophy, Science and Letters of Ribeirão Preto (FFCLRP), University of São Paulo (USP) – Av. Bandeirantes 3900, CEP 14040-901, Ribeirão Preto, SP, Brazil. E-mail: [email protected]

Sympagurus dimorphus is a scarcely studied hermit crab distributed in deep waters of southern hemisphere. It is one of the 17 recognized species of the genus, and about 1/3 of which are known to establish symbiosis with zoanthids. The records of the zoanthid-hermit crab associations deal only with reports of this phenomenon with no detailed information. We describe, for the first time, the pattern of shell-like colonies of Epizoanthus sp. associated with the hermit crab S. dimorphus inhabiting in the Patagonian scallop (Zygochlamys patagonica) fishing grounds ( ~ 100 m depth) in the Argentine Sea. To evaluate a possible effect of the initial gastropod shell and the hermit crab presence on the morphology of the zoanthid colony, morphometric relationships were assessed. A total of 260 specimens (137 males and 123 females) of S. dimorphus were collected, 240 (92.3%) of whom were living in symbiosis with Epizoanthus sp.; the remain 20 (7.7%) were living inside Fusitriton magellanicum shells. As the initial structure of the pseudoshell, 12 different gastropods species were found (all were almost totally covered with colonies of Epizoanthus sp.). A selection process of the initial shell is evident, as Naticidae are not the most common gastropods in the benthic community sampled, but was the most used (>60%) by hermits. The puzzling association between hermit crab, shell and zoanthid presumably occurs during the hermit juvenile phase when the crab occupies a small shell, and a zoanthid larva settles on it. This hypothesis may be acceptable since the hermit does not have to search for a new shell and the crab lives in a spiral cavity in the cartilaginous colony that seemed to be slightly different depending on the initial gastropod. This is part of an on going project to improve the knowledge of the biology of this intriguing group of hermit crabs. Financial support: CNPq/PROSUL–Brazil; PICT 15080 - CONICET PIP 5009, Argentina.

141 Coquimbo - Chile 14- 17 October 2007 POSTER CONTRIBUTIONS

CRUSTACEA AT WORK: NEW ZEALAND CRUSTACEAN RESEARCH PAST, PRESENT AND FUTURE Schnabel, K., Lörz, A.N., Bruce, N. Biodiversity & Biosecurity, National Institute of Water and Atmospheric Research, Private Bag 14 901, Kilbirnie, Wellington. E-mail: [email protected]

Records of New Zealand Crustacea date back as far as 18th century with the first voyage of Captain James Cook and since then New Zealand carcinological research has steadily been advanced by New Zealanders (e.g. George Thomson, Charles Chilton, John Yaldwyn) and international scientists alike. At present, the entire crustacean fauna of New Zealand is recorded at more than 2,700 species including all classes, except Remipedia, with a high proportion of endemism across all taxa. Of all known species, approximately a quarter are either new to science or not yet identified and estimates of the total crustacean fauna exceed 4000 species. The NIWA Invertebrate Collection (NIC) in Wellington holds one of the largest New Zealand collections of marine Crustacea collected over five decades of research in the New Zealand region, the southwestern Pacific and the Ross Sea. Our collection is constantly augmented through a highly active collection program including sampling on seamounts, hydrothermal vents, cold seeps and Antarctic waters. Although this material already provides a critical resource for a diverse range of studies ranging from taxonomy to long-term ecological research, biosecurity monitoring, bioinformatics and marine conservation, the potential for new questions and approaches remains large.

OCCURRENCE OF THE NON-INDIGENOUS MALAYSIAN PRAWN, Macrobrachium rosenbergii (DECAPODA: PALAEMONIDAE) IN THE RIBEIRA DE IGUAPE RIVER, RIBEIRA VALLEY, SÃO PAULO Silva, F.M., Bertini, G., Rodrigues, M.M. NEBECC (Group of Studies on Crustacean Biology, Ecology and Culture); UNESP – Unidade de Registro – Rua Tamekichi Takano, 5. CEP 11900-000 - Registro, São Paulo, Brazil. E-mail: [email protected]

The present report describes the first occurrence of the non-indigenous Malaysian prawn Macrobrachium rosenbergii (De Man, 1879) in a natural environment in the region of the Ribeira Valley, in the southern part of the state of São Paulo, Brazil. The specimen was collected in the Ribeira de Iguape River, municipality of Iguape, by means of a trap, in June 2006. The individual collected is a male, with a carapace length of 9 cm, total length 32 cm, chelar length 22 cm, and 395 grams wet weight. It is one of the largest specimens analyzed, equalling the largest specimen of the species reported in the literature, which measured 32 cm in total length and weighed 500 grams. This catch was probably a result of escapes from old freshwater-shrimp farms in the area.

142 Coquimbo - Chile 14- 17 October 2007 POSTER CONTRIBUTIONS

PRELIMINARY ESTIMATION OF FECUNDITY OF THE SPINY LOBSTER Panulirus echinatus (DECAPODA: PALINURIDAE) AT NORTHEASTERN BRAZIL Silva, A.Z. 1, Corrêa, F.M. 1, Fernandes, L.M.G.2, Silva, G.M.L.1, Silva, E.M.C. 1, Barreto, A.V. 2 1 Centro de Pesquisa e Gestão de Recursos Pesqueiros do Litoral Nordeste, Rua Samuel Hardman, s/n°, CEP: 55578-000, Tamandaré, Pernambuco, Brasil; 2 Departamento de Oceanografia, Universidade Federal de Pernambuco, Cidade Universitária, CEP: 50670-901, Recife, Pernambuco, Brasil. E-mail: [email protected]

At the Brazilian coast, the spiny lobster Panulirus echinatus (Smith, 1869) occurs in the northeastern coast and oceanic islands, being an important species for small scale fishery. Information about reproductive aspects and fecundity can be used to estimate the index of reproductive potential of a population. The goal of the present study was to analyze the fecundity of P. echinatus by using a numeric gravimetric method. A total number of 179 berried females were sampled between June/2005 and November/2006, using gill nets at localities of Tamandaré - Pernambuco and Porto de Pedras - Alagoas. Total length of the females sampled was between 9.4 and 17.1cm at Tamandaré and between 10.7 and 19.4cm at Porto de Pedras, with an average of 12.2 and 13.8cm, respectively. The results showed a fecundity average of 36,094 eggs (±19,317), varying between 6,634 and 117,016 eggs at Tamandaré. At Porto de Pedras, average fecundity was 36,094 eggs (± 28,454), varying between 13,775 and 154,097 eggs. A linear correlation was obtained for total length and fecundity with the equation F=1,261xTL- 120,921 (r2 0,7193), for both locations. Results of fecundity per total length classes showed an maximum increase of 44,8% in eggs production between size class of 12 to 13cm. For management purposes, and considering that higher females produce more eggs contributing for the recovery of the stocks, we propose a prohibition of individuals smaller than 12cm of total length for P. echinatus fishery.

REPRODUCTIVE ASPECTS OF THE SPINY LOBSTER Panulirus echinatus (DECAPODA: PALINURIDAE) IN THE NORTHEASTERN COAST OF BRAZIL Silva, A.Z., Corrêa, F.M., Silva, G.M.L., Silva, E.M.C. Centro de Pesquisa e Gestão de Recursos Pesqueiros do Litoral Nordeste, Rua Samuel Hardman, s/n°, CEP: 55578-000, Tamandaré, Pernambuco, Brasil. E-mail: [email protected]

In the Northeastern coast of Brazil, the lobster fishery is one of the major economic resources for small scale fleet. At the coastal coral reefs, one of the main species is the spiny lobster Panulirus echinatus, which already participates of the Brazilian exportation market. With the purpose to provide information for management regulations, were examined some aspects of the reproductive characteristics of this specie. Females of P. echinatus were collected monthly at the localities of Tamandaré - Pernambuco and Porto de Pedras - Alagoas, between June/2005 and November/2006. Total length and the occurrence of berried females were registered. Gonad maturation stages were established using macroscopically examination. At Tamandaré, total length ranged from 6.7 to 19.2cm with an average of 12.2cm, and from 9.7 to 19.6 cm with an average of 13.5cm at Porto de Pedras. The results showed that at Tamandaré, berried females (n=522) were found trough the whole period, however showing two greater peaks in October and November and other secondary in March and April. For Porto de Pedras, berried females (n=208) occurred with more intensity between September and April. The size at first maturity was estimated for Tamandaré in 11.98 cm total length, while for Porto de Pedras was 12.88 cm. Considering that fishing pressure is more intense at Tamandaré, these results showed that P. echinatus reach sexual maturity earlier than those of Porto de Pedras. Although the berried females occur along the year, the reproductive period for this specie was probably between September and April.

143 Coquimbo - Chile 14- 17 October 2007 POSTER CONTRIBUTIONS

CROSS-AMPLICATION OF MICROSATELLITE LOCI IN THREE DECAPODA SPECIES Silva, T.O., Bartholomei-Santos, M.L., Santos, S. Laboratório de Diversidade Genética, Departamento de Biologia e Programa de Pós-graduação em Biodiversidade Animal – CCNE – Universidade Federal de Santa Maria. Avenida Roraima, 1000. Santa Maria – RS. 97105-900. Brazil. E-mail: [email protected]

Microsatellites are powerful molecular markers to analyze the genetic structure of populations. Nevertheless, the isolation and characterization of these markers can be a very hard task for some species. The utilization of loci already isolated for close species can be an alternative which saves time and labor. However, cross-amplification of microsatellite loci among different species is not always successful. The aim of this study was to test the cross-amplification of microsatellite markers developed for two species of Aeglidae in other crustacean species. Primer pairs developed to amplify two microsatellite loci of Aegla longirostri (AlCA138 and AlCA140) and one locus of Aegla uruguayana (Au05) were tested in Aegla platensis, Emerita brasiliensis (Anomura) and Tricodactylus panopus (Brachyura). All loci were successfully amplified for the three studied species. Although promising, the utility of these loci as molecular markers to study the species above is being confirmed in a population characterization to verify if they are polymorphic. Tests with other microsatellite loci and with other species are also being carried out.

POPULATION BIOLOGY AND FECUNDITY OF Leucothoe sp. (AMPHIPODA, LEUCOTHOIDAE) ASSOCIATED TO Phallusia nigra (CHORDATA, TUNICATA) IN SOUTHEASTERN BRAZIL Siqueira, S.L.G., Leite, F.P.P. Department of Zoology, Institute of Biology, CP 6109, UNICAMP, 13083-970, Campinas, SP, Brazil. E-mail: [email protected]

Leucothoidae amphipods are frequently found associated with other marine invertebrates and these hosts present favorable environments for feeding, protection and reproduction. The aim of this study was to characterize the size structure, growth, sex-ratio, fecundity and mortality of Leucothoe sp. an endobiont species of Phallusia nigra. Three replicates of this ascidians were collected at eight rocky shores of São Sebastião Channel, in São Paulo State, between September/2004 to July/2005. The amphipods were counted, measured and classified according size and stage of development. Individuals of all stages of Leucothoe sp. had been found associated with P. nigra, characterizing this host as a steady and propitious environment for their reproduction and feeding. Most of the population of Leucothoe sp. was composed by juveniles. The reduced number of adults can be related to the search of new hosts by the juveniles with a consequent increase in the mortality population. The deviated sex-ratio for the females could be explained by the males higher mobility. The reproduction was continuous and the fecundity was positively related to the body size, as usual in gammaridean species. Adjusting growth function of von

Bertalanffy (VBGF) was obtained a higher expected length (L∞ ) of 10.76 cm and growth constant (K) of 5, without temporal oscillation. Size structure and growth parameters indicate that Leucothoe sp. can live between 7,2 and 11 months, characterizing an annual cycle of life.

144 Coquimbo - Chile 14- 17 October 2007 POSTER CONTRIBUTIONS

REVIEW ON THE BIOLOGY OF Emerita analoga (CRUSTACEA: ANOMURA) IN THE WESTERN COAST OF SOUTH AMERICA. Sotelano, M.P., Lovrich, G.A. Centro Austral de Investigaciones Científicas (CADIC-CONICET) – Houssay 200, Ushuaia, Tierra del Fuego, Argentina. CENSOR Project. E-mail: [email protected]

Emerita analoga is an abundant anomuran decapod of the intertidal zone of sandy beaches on the west coast of the Americas. E. analoga has been proposed as a possible biological indicator of environmental changes, such as the ENSO (“El Niño” Southern Oscillation) and therefore object of numerous studies. We did a bibliographic research in both formal and “grey” literature. We found that the biological knowledge is fragmentary and incomplete, particularly in the following topics: 1) Density: Variable locally and among authors. Some of them report number of individuals per sample area in unusual units (such as individuals·m-1), leading into misunderstandings in data interpretation. A single study reports the disappearance of the adult population after the warm event of El Niño in 1997-1998. 2) Reproduction: it is commonly accepted that E. analoga reproduces throughout the year. However, in mid- and high-latitudes ovigerous females occur mainly during summer while only at low latitudes they occur throughout the year. Similarly, in mid latitudes, two peaks of recruitment occur during summer and fall. The female size at maturity and the egg volume increase with latitude. 3) Embryonic and larval development: Egg development lasts between 22 and 102 days, depending on the temperature (25ºC and 11ºC, respectively). Larval development described from plankton samples consists of 5 zoeal stages. In the laboratory, 9 zoea + 1 megalopa stages occur, which last 3-4 + 1 months, respectively. The timing of larval occurrence in the plankton and the occurrence of new settlers in the beach cannot be explained by these developmental times and frequency of production of new individuals. In order to consider Emerita analoga as a biological indicator of the ENSO, it is necessary to establish standard methods to evaluate the population parameters and its natural variability (including the latitude component), and then make comparisons with the ENSO years.

CHRONIC TOXICITY AND HISTOPATHOLOGICAL STUDIES WITH ORGANOCHLORINE PESTICIDES IN Palaemonetes argentinus (CRUSTACEA: DECAPODA) Sousa L.G.1, Díaz, A.C.1,2, Petriella, A.M.1,3 1 Departamento de Ciencias Marinas, Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales, Universidad Nacional de Mar del Plata. Funes 3350. B7602AYL, Mar del Plata; 2 CIC. 3 CONICET. E-mail: [email protected]

Palaemonetes argentinus is a caridean prawn that inhabits coastal lagoons along the southwestern Atlantic Ocean where salinity is very low during extended periods (1-5‰) or can vary between 1 and 30‰ within a few hours, and also lives in freshwater environments. Some of these environments are affected by the direct discharge of chemicals from the terrestrial ecosystems. We analyze the chronic effect of organochlorine pesticides and the histopathological alterations in the midgut gland and gills of P. argentinus in bioassay. A chronic toxicity test was conducted during 4 weeks using a standard mix of pesticides (Chlorinated Pesticides Mix high, Supelco) diluted to concentrations of 0.25, 0.15 and 0.025ppb. 120 adult prawns of both sexes at sexual rest, weighing 0.10-0.20g, were acclimated in glass containers. The prawns were collected in Canal 5 (37°28’S, 57°17’O), a shallow stream tributary of Mar Chiquita coastal lagoon, where the amount of pesticides is below toxic levels. Each treatment and the control were conducted by triplicate at 20±0.8°C and 12:12h L/D. Water was exchanged every one day to maintain pesticides concentrations. Daily, prawns were fed and the presence of dead prawns was recorded. At the end of the experiment the cephalothoraxes were processed by standard histological techniques. Pathologic changes at tissue and cellular level were detected in the midgut gland and gills with all treatments. The main alterations in the midgut gland were haemocytic infiltration, cariorrexis, cariolysis, cellular desquamation and lack of cellular details. Numerous tubules presented an enlarged and irregular lumen with the epithelium atrophied or completely absent. Branchial lamellae showed hyperplasia, cellular retraction, cariorrexis and picnosis. All these alterations were more conspicuous at 0.15 and 0.25ppb. From the present results it can be assumed that both organs are highly sensitive to chronic exposure to organochlorine pesticides. Both organs could be used as indicators of antropic pollution in water.

145 Coquimbo - Chile 14- 17 October 2007 POSTER CONTRIBUTIONS

EGG VOLUME INCREASE AND EGG LOSS IN THE SHRIMP Hippolyte obliquimanus (CARIDEA: HIPPOLYTIDAE) IN SOUTHERN ATLANTIC, BRAZIL Terossi, M., Mantelatto, F. L. Laboratory of Bioecology and Crustacean Systematics, Faculty of Philosophy, Sciences and Letters of Ribeirão Preto (FFCLRP), University of São Paulo (USP), Brazil Program of Post Graduation on Comparative Biology. E-mails: [email protected]

The aim of the present study was to compare the egg volume and egg number between the different stages of development of Hippolyte obliquimanus, a small caridean shrimp that occurs in association with seaweed. The ovigerous females were collected by hand in the Itaguá Beach (Ubatuba/SP, Brazil) in March and May 2007. Eggs were divided into three stages of development. All eggs were counted and fifteen eggs of each female were separated, and smallest and largest diameters were measured to calculate the egg volume. A total of 51 ovigerous females were analyzed. Mean egg volume were significantly different between stages I and II, and between stages I and III (stage I: 0.014 ± 0.003 mm3; stage II: 0.024 ± 0.006 mm3; stage III 0.026 ± 0.006 mm3; P < 0.001). Mean egg volume increased 78% during embryogenesis (from stage I to III), but the increase was higher from stage I to II (70%) than from stage II to III (5%). During the incubation females lost an average of 11% of their eggs. The egg increase rate (78%) and egg loss rate (11%) were smaller than the values found to others species of the family Hippolytidae. These two rates can be related, because the egg increase can be one of the causes of egg loss. This means that with the egg increase, there is less space available in the abdomen for egg attachment, and consequently more eggs are lost.

POPULATION BIOLOGY OF Aegla sp IN THE CENTRAL REGION OF THE RIO GRANDE DO SUL STATE, BRAZIL Trevisan, A., Zimmermann, B.L., Santos, S. Laboratório de Carcinologia - Departamento de Biologia e Programa de Pós-graduação em Biodiversidade Animal – CCNE – Universidade Federal de Santa Maria. Avenida Roraima, 1000. Santa Maria – RS. 97105-900. Brazil. E-mail: [email protected]

The aim of this study was to evaluate some aspects of the population biology of the anomuran crab Aegla sp, a new species which is in process of description. Samplings were monthly realized, from May/2005 to April/2006, in a tributary of Toropi River, which belongs to the Uruguay River basin, at São Pedro do Sul municipality, Brazil. Traps containing bovine liver as lure and small nets were used to collect the animals. All the captured specimens were sexed and had their cephalothoracic length (CL) measured, using a digital caliper with 0,01 mm precision. After the data were registered, crabs were returned to the stream, to the same places where they were collected. The evaluated aspects were the median size between males and females, the sexual proportion (monthly and seasonally) and the reproductive period (based on ovigerous females frequency). A total of 609 males and 307 females were sampled. The smallest captured male presented 3.07 mm CL and the largest one 27.90 mm. For the females, these values were 3.20 mm and 24.12 mm, respectively. The males presented sizes significantly larger than the females, according to the Mann-Whitney test (p<0,01; U = 45.626). The sexual proportion was significantly different from 1:1 in all months of the year (p < 0.05), and also when comparing the seasons (0.05). Twenty five ovigerous females were captured, the smallest one presenting 13.91 mm CL. The highest incidences of ovigerous females occurred in summer (8 individuals) and in winter (10 individuals). In spring and in fall, 3 and 4 females were collected, respectively. In the future it will be possible to compare the population biology of this new species with data of already described species.

146 Coquimbo - Chile 14- 17 October 2007 POSTER CONTRIBUTIONS

TAXONOMIC IDENTIFICATION AND DISTRIBUTION OF PELAGIC COPEPODS (CRUSTACEA: COPEPODA), IN THE ECUATORIAN WATERS DURING LA NIÑA EVENT (SEPTEMBER 2001) Tutasi, P., Palma, S. Escuela de Ciencias del Mar. Pontificia Universidad Católica de Valparaíso. P.O. Box 1020, Valparaíso, Chile. E-mail: [email protected]

After the exceptional warm event of El Niño 1997-1998, oceanographic conditions of La Niña were developed since 1999, which remained with slight alterations during 2000-2001. With the BAE Orion from the Oceanographic Institute of the Navy (Ecuador) was carried out an oceanographic and biological cruise during September 2001. On September 2001, conditions of La Niña were intensified; negative anomalies were reported in Ecuatorian waters, specially related to the equatorial upwelling west of the Galapagos Islands, as well as the Equatorial Front between the Galapagos and the continental Ecuador. These cold conditions of La Niña Event were also enhanced by the strong influence of the northern boundary of the cold Humboldt Current in the equatorial Pacific. The composition and distribution of copepods in the plankton of the equatorial sector of eastern Pacific were studied with enhance in the taxonomic aspects. In the southern sector of this area, species of copepods related to cold waters were dominant such as: Calanus chilensis, Eucalanus inermis, Paracalanus parvus, Acartia tonsa, Oithona plumifera, Oncaea conifera and Corycaeus giesbrechti. These species are very common in the Humboldt Current System, off Chilean coast. Some species related to Subantarctic waters as Paraeuchaeta antarctica and Haloptilus austini were founded in the equatorial band, probably related to the strong influence of La Niña Event which contributed to the advection of these species of copepods to Ecuatorian waters. Once again the dedicated taxonomic studies of the plankton communities will bring interesting new information of the oceanic variability related to the ENSO Event.

THE NATIVE SHRIMP Rhynchocinetes typus AS A BIOLOGICAL CONTROL IN SCALLOP AQUACULTURE FACILITIES Urriago, J.D.1, Dumont, C.P.1,2, Thiel, M.1, Gaymer, C.F.1 1 CEAZA – Universidad Católica del Norte, Larrondo 1281, Coquimbo (Chile); 2 Hopkins Marine Station, Stanford University, USA. E-mail: [email protected]

Scallop aquaculture in Chile suffers from intense fouling on culture facilities by the exotic ascidian Ciona intestinalis. We examined the grazing effect of the rock shrimp Rhynchocinetes typus on fouling species which colonize scallop pearl nets. We measured (shell length), tagged and placed 10 scallops (Argopecten purpuratus) in each of the 20 pearl nets free of fouling organisms. Five additional scallops were added to each pearl net in order to maintain a density similar to the one use in aquaculture. We then placed different densities of shrimps (0, 2, 5 and 10 individuals) in pearl nets. The nets were placed on a culture line at 7-8 m in depth in the aquaculture farm “Pesquera San José” located in Tongoy Bay, northern Chile where intense scallop cultivation occurs. We collected the pearl nets after four months (February – May 2007). The number of shrimps remaining in the nets was noted and the cover and biomass of fouling were quantified. We further quantified the mortality and growth of scallops. We found ~ 50% of the shrimps in the nets after 4 months. In the treatment with 10 shrimps, the growth rate of scallops was 15 % higher than the nets without shrimps. Furthermore, the 10-shrimp treatment had the lower cover of Bugula sp. (10 %) and the lower density of Ciona intestinalis. We showed that the presence of shrimps in pearl nets increase the growth of scallops by reducing fouling which allow a better water circulation and a decrease of food competition. Our study showed that the native shrimp is a good candidate as a biological control of fouling communities.

147 Coquimbo - Chile 14- 17 October 2007 POSTER CONTRIBUTIONS

NEW DEEP SEA SPECIES OF AMPELISCIDAE (CRUSTACEA: AMPHIPODA) FROM THE CAMPOS BASIN, RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL Valério-Berardo, M.T. Universidade Presbiteriana Mackenzie –CCBS – Rua da Consolação 896 01302-907 São Paulo SP, Brazil. E-mail: [email protected]

The deep sea amphipod fauna of the Southwestern Atlantic is still poorly explored, except for scarce and fragmented data. This study is part of the the Campos Basin Deep Sea Environmental Project coordinated by CENPES/PETROBRAS. The Campos Basin is considered the largest oil reserve in the Brazilian continental platform. The company has boosted its exploratory activities in increasingly deep waters, and to do it, environmental studies of exploration areas are necessary. Samples from box core were taken from the Campos basin region (22°41´S- 40°2´W) from 700 to 1600 meters off the Brazilian coast with the N/RB Astro Garoupa. Three new species of the genus Ampelisca Kroyer and 1 new species of the genus Byblis Boeck are herein described. The new species were illustrated and compared with related species. The material examined is lodged at the Museu Nacional, Rio de Janeiro (MNRJ). The three new species of Ampelisca herein described raised the total number of species of this genus recorded in Brazilian coast to 14. Despite the wide world distribution of the genus Byblis, this is the first time it has been reported for the Brazilian cost.

TWO NEW SPECIES OF THE GENERA Cerapus SAY, 1817 AND Notopoma LOWRY & BERENTS, 1996 (AMPHIPODA, ISCHYROCERIDAE) FROM BRAZILIAN COAST Valério-Berardo, M.T.1, Thiago de Souza, A.M., Rodrigues, C.W.2 1 Universidade Presbiteriana Mackenzie – FCEE. Rua da Consolação 896, 01302-907, SãoPaulo, Brazil; 2 Universidade de São Paulo, Instituto Oceanográfico, Praça do Oceanográfico 191, 05508-900, São Paulo, Brazil. E-mail: [email protected]

Two new species of the genera Cerapus, Say, 1916 and Notopoma Lowry & Berents, 1996 are described from the Santos and Campos basin region (24°03´S – 46°22´W and 22°41´S - 40°2´W) respectively, southeastern Brazilian coast. Cerapus n. sp. The collection was taken during an exploration project of benthic invertebrate (ECOSAN Project). They closely resembles C. tubularis Say, 1817, the only species of the genera known from Brazil, but they are distinguished by the telson cleft size, number of articles in the antenna 1 flagellum and disto - ventral corona of setae on uropod 1, diagnostic characteristics of new species. Only one specie of the genus Notopoma has been reposted from south Atlantic, N. argentina Alonso de Pina, 2005, and the new species can be distinguished from it by the absence of the third pair of pleopods, the shape of male gnathopod 2 and the number of articles in the antenna 1 flagellum. The specimens of this new species were collected by the Campos Basin Environmental Project coordinated by Shell Brasil E&P. This is the first time this genus has been reported for the Brazilian coast.

148 Coquimbo - Chile 14- 17 October 2007 POSTER CONTRIBUTIONS

REPRODUCTIVE BIOLOGY OF THE SWIMMING CRAB Ovalipes trimaculatus (PORTUNIDAE) IN COASTAL WATERS OF ARGENTINA Vallina, M., Gavio, M.A. Dpto. de Biología. Fac. Cs. Exactas y Naturales. Universidad Nacional Mar del Plata. Funes 3350. 7600 Mar del Plata, Argentina. E-mail: [email protected]

The reproductive biology is an important component of species life history. Knowledge on structural and functional female’s genital ducts allow interpreting crab behavior during their reproductive season. In Argentina, Ovalipes trimaculatus is distributed from Buenos Aires Province to Chubut at 3-65 m depth. Here we analyze results on female ovary development, description of the gross anatomy of the spermatheca and presence of spermatophores. In males, the vas deferens was examined to evaluate the body size at which spermatophores are present. Samples were seasonally obtained from March 2006 to March 2007. Specimens were dissected for inspection of the gonads, and the presence of spermatophores was determined by examining a squash of the males’ vas deferens, and of the spermatheca of females under a microscope. A total of 1047 crabs were captured, size range 15-105 mm carapace width (CW). The gross anatomy of the female genitalia is described being the connection of the oviduct to the spermatheca of dorsal type. Females ranging from 35 to 55 mm CW had immature ovaries (stage 1), and from 50 to 85 mm, the ovaries were in different stages of development (stages 2, 3 and 4). The ovary condition followed a seasonal pattern, immature in fall and winter, and in early development, developed and mature during the spring and summer. 85% of the spermathecas analyzed in winter were full of sperm, declining to 33% in September and peaking to 57% during November. Males from 50 mm CW showed the presence of spermatophores in their vas deferens. Results will be discussed in the context of crab’s reproductive behavior.

THE INFLUENCE OF THE PASSIVE DISPERSAL IN THE GENETIC DIFFERENTIATION OF POPULATIONS OF BENTHIC MARINE BROODERS Varela, A., Haye, P.A., Thiel, M. Departamento de Biología Marina, Facultad de Ciencias del Mar, Universidad Católica del Norte, Centro de Estudios Avanzados en Zonas Áridas (CEAZA), Larrondo 1281, Casilla 117, Coquimbo. E-mail: [email protected]

Even though species of marine brooders have a low potential for active dispersal some may disperse great distances by passive dispersal (anthropogenic or rafting). We hypothesize that brooders with high potential for passive dispersal (HPPD) have lower genetic differentiation between populations than brooders with low potential for passive dispersal (LPPD). Also, that the populations of marine brooders with HPPD do not present a Pattern of Isolation by Distance (PIBD), because genetic connectivity between distant populations is expected. We are conducting a study using the mitochondrial gene, Cytochrome Oxidase I, in two species of benthic isopods of the coast of Chile that have different potentials for passive dispersal. Excirolana hirsuticauda lives in sandy beaches and has a LPPD. In contrast, Limnoria chilensis has a HPPD, because it lives in kelp holdfasts. Haplotype analyses showed two groups in E hirsuticauda, a northern one that includes individuals from the 25ºS to 30ºS, and a southern one that includes individuals from 34ºS to 42ºS. Most of the genetic variation is between the populations and there is a PIBD. For L. chilensis there are also two groups; one with individuals from the north (21ºS to 33ºS) and the south (40ºS), and the other with individuals from 37ºS to the south; both groups are separated by a great genetic divergence (26.8%), which leads us to conclude that they are actually two different species. For both these species of Limnoria most of the genetic variation is within the populations and there is no PIBD. Populations of one of these species are geographically very distant between them (> 2,300 km) but are genetically very close. These results support the proposed hypotheses, i.e. Limnoria spp. has less genetic differentiation between populations than E. hirsuticauda and does not show a PIBD, which may be a consequence of passive dispersal.

149 Coquimbo - Chile 14- 17 October 2007 POSTER CONTRIBUTIONS

AQUATIC MICROCRUSTACEA AS BIOINDICATORS OF CHEMICAL CONTAMINATION OF WATER Vargas, A., Bustos-Obregón, E., Castro, D. Universidad de Chile, Facultad de Medicina, ICBM, Programa de Anatomía y Biología del Desarrollo, Lab. Biol. de la Reproducción. Santiago, Chile. E-mail: [email protected]

Ecotoxicologic studies with Diazinon using Artemia saline (to verify developmental damage i.e. teratology) or Daphnia magna (treated with Metamidophos) to observe motility changes, were used. Artemia saline/Diazinon; After determining the LD50 evaluated as mortality rate judged by inmmobilysation of the larvae, these values were used for the CE50 to which larvae were exposed for 24, 48 and 72 hs post-hatching. Morphological changes were recorded in the three initial stages of development. The best correlation dosis/response was found at 24 hs after exposure. A. saline is very sensitive to the organophosphorate contaminant, those being a good ecotoxicological indicator of saline aquatic environment contaminated with pesticides. Daphnia magna/Metamidophos. This organophosphoric pesticide was analyzed since it is widely used. Cultures of D. magna were set in the laboratory following Chilean norm 2083 of 1999. Later, cultures were done from one only genetic line and exposed to different concentrations of Metamidophos observing inmmotility at 12 and 24 hs after exposure. Significant results were found at 24 hs, demonstrating that this organism is a good bioindicator of fresh water chemical contamination.

CHRONIC TOXICITY BIOASSAY TO DETERMINE THE EFFECTS OF BORON ON THE MORPHOLOGY OF THE MICROCRUSTACEA Artemia salina Vargas, A., Bustos-Obregón, E., Costa del Río, F., Rojas, A. Laboratorio de Biología de la Reproducción, ICBM, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Chile, Santiago. E-mail: [email protected]

A bioassay of chronic toxicity was than to determine if populations of Artemia salina cultured under laboratory conditions could be used as ecotoxicological bioindicators of boron contamination of water, evaluating the developmental morphology of the crustacea. The bioassay was done intoxicating Artemia populations with different concentration of boron at 6, 7 and 8 days of age. Boron is a toxic substance highly concentrated in tap water in Arica, Chile. Motility was evaluated as physiological parameters of the subjects exposed to boron, taking note of mortality in a chart. With these data the DL50 was calculated for the three periods observed using the Probit statistical analysis. In addition teratology was evaluated during the early developmental stages of Artemia population exposed to boron. Statistical analysis of the results indicated that the best estimation of dose/response occurs by 24 hours of exposure to the toxic (day 6). Artemia was found to have high sensibility to boron, thus being a good ecotoxicological bioindicator of saline aquatic environment contaminated with boron.

150 Coquimbo - Chile 14- 17 October 2007 POSTER CONTRIBUTIONS

DIFFERENTIATION OF THE MALE REPRODUCTIVE SYSTEM AND ONSET OF MATURITY IN THE FRESHWATER CRAYFISH Cherax quadricarinatus (DECAPODA, PARASTACIDAE) Vazquez, F.J. 1, López Greco, L.S. 1,2 1 Dept. of Biodiversity and Experimental Biology, FCEN, University of Buenos Aires, Cdad. Univ. C1428EHA, Buenos Aires, Argentina. 2 CONICET. E-mail: [email protected]

The “redclaw” crayfish, Cherax quadricarinatus, is a species of growing importance in freshwater aquaculture, in spite of which numerous aspects of their reproductive biology are unknown. The aim of this study was to characterize the differentiation and later acquisition of sexual maturity in males of this species. For this purpose 353 males (0.09-150)g were weighted, measured, dissected and their reproductive systems were fixed, cut and stained. From a macroscopic point of view, males from 0.09g up to 2-3g differentiate a lobular appendix, and from 3g they develop an elongated appendix, acquiring the longitudinal striation pattern typical of adult males. From 0.09-0.10g the reproductive system differentiates clearly like a thin lobular cord and a transparent vas deferens, whereas from 6g the testicular lobes acquire a greater size and number, the vas deferens presents a white colour and begins to differentiate the “red patch” in the outer edge of the chelipeds propodus. The microscopic results showed the presence of spermatozoa in the collecting tube (within the testes) from 0.09-0.10g while spermatozoa were also observed packaged in the spermatophore within the vas deferens from 2-3g. The present study shows that the differentiation of primary and secondary sexual characters in C. quadricarinatus occurs simultaneously and very early during development and that the acquisition of sexual maturity (presence of spermatozoa in collecting tube and vas deferens) is also an early event that occurs at smaller sizes than in females. The identification of sex in the first developmental stages is a very useful tool that may allow the early separation for monosex culture, as well as the development of sexual reversion techniques by means of ambient or hormonal factors manipulation. Financial support: ANPCYT (PICT 2004-953), UBACYT 2004-2007 (project X143), Antorchas Foundation (project 4248-138).

THE MODULATING EFFECT OF TEMPERATURE ON SEXUAL DIFFERENTIATION AND SEX REVERSAL IN THE FRESHWATER CRAYFISH Cherax quadricarinatus (PARASTACIDAE) Vazquez, F.J. 1,2, Tropea, C.1, Sánchez de Bock, M.F.1, López Greco, L. S. 1,2 1Dept. of Biodiversity and Experimental Biology, FCEN, University of Buenos Aires, Cdad. Univ. C1428EHA, Buenos Aires, Argentina. 2CONICET. [email protected].

Temperature (T) is one of the most important modulating factors on reproduction in the freshwater crayfish C. quadricarinatus, “red claw”. The influence of T on ovarian maturation and juvenile growth has been addressed. This work was aimed at studying the effect of temperature on sex differentiation and sex reversal as a possible factor for the culture of this species. Two kinds of experiments were carried out. In the first, recently hatched undifferentiated juveniles (20mg) were exposed at 27°C (control group), 29°C and 31°C and in the second experiment, juveniles females (200mg) were exposed at the same temperatures. Twice a week the animals were weighted and sexed. Both assays were run during 150 days. The results demonstrate that T is not a determinant factor on sexual differentiation but it has a significant (p<0.05) effect on sex reversal. The main type of sexual reversion is the change of sex from females toward intersex females although the reversion toward males was statistically significant (p<0.05) at 29°C. The assayed temperature of 29°C also induced greater somatic growth and early acquisition of sexual maturity in females so it is consider as an interesting factor to apply for the culture of the species. Financial support: UBACYT 2004-2007 (project X143), ANPCYT (PICT 2004-953), Antorchas Foundation (project 4248- 138).

151 Coquimbo - Chile 14- 17 October 2007 POSTER CONTRIBUTIONS

OCURRENCE OF TREMATODE METACERCARIAE IN Samastacus spinifrons (DECAPODA, PARASTACIDAE) AND Aegla sp. (DECAPODA, AEGLIDAE) Venegas, C.A.1, Barrera, M.F.2, Parra, D.1, Medina, G.1 1 Laboratorio de Salud de Ecosistemas, Escuela de Medicina Veterinaria, Facultad de Ecología y Recursos Naturales, Universidad Andrés Bello, República 440, Santiago, Chile; 2 Programa de Magíster en Ciencias Animales, Escuela de Medicina Veterinaria, Facultad de Ciencias Veterinarias y Pecuarias, Universidad de Chile. E-mail: [email protected]

In Chile there are few reports enlisting the eumetazoan parasites of invertebrate species inhabiting continental waters, sometimes being a final host, others an intermediary one. In some cases, the crustacean species have been just described affected while they are explored as a potential species for aquaculture diversification, this is the case of S. spinifrons of this report, or as a finding - the case of the Aegla sp. reported here. In Chile there is no record of larval stage of a trematode infection in freshwater malacostracans. Herein, we examined individuals sampled during two surveys. First, specimens of the species S. spinifrons, target species of an aquaculture diversification pilot study located in Chiloé Island, were sampled (whole body) and fixed in Davidson´s AFA, then submitted to standard histological process and finally stained with H&E, and observed. The Aegla sp. were sampled during a survey, geographically focused in the Toltén river basin, organs were trimmed, fixed and then processed as indicated above. In S. spinifrons hepatopancreas, stomach and female gonads (interoocytes spaces) were observed parasitized by metacercariae with different degrees of intensity. Aegla sp. were parasitized in gill filaments showing low intensity degree. The metacercariae were surrounded in some cases by connective tissue of host origin showing no hemocytic infiltration. Especially interesting was the observation of high intensity (3 of 4 degrees of intensity) of infection in female gonads in S. spinifrons, which could produce castration on those affected individuals. Despite the high intensity, morphological alteration was not observed. Although, in this study the taxonomical position was not elucidated, the first step on the very first observation is reported. Further studies will include a digestion of fresh target tissue in order to provide a complete description, as well as infectivity study in order to know the potential final vertebrate host.

VARIATIONS IN SHELL MORPHOLOGY OF A PEDUNCULATE BARNACLE ON A BUOY IN THE EASTERN TROPICAL PACIFIC: A WAY TO DETERMINE GROWTH RATES? Venn, C., Stempko, T. Department of Geography and Geosciences and Department of Biology, Bloomsburg University of Pennsylvania, 400 East Second St., Bloomsburg, PA 17815, USA. E-mail: [email protected]

Pedunculate barnacles were collected at 5°N, 95°W from a stationary mooring of the TAO/TRITON array in the tropical Pacific. Barnacles were collected in May 1999 after a 13 month deployment. The dominant species was Lepas anatifera, many of which exhibited one or more thickened areas of growth lines on their shells, a characteristic rare in previous collections of barnacles from numerous buoys in the same array. Studies by other investigators on bivalves have demonstrated similar thickening in bivalve shells to be correlated with temperature stress. Instruments on the buoy recorded sea surface temperature (SST) throughout its deployment, enabling us to investigate whether the position of the thickened shell in L. anatifera is related to variations in SST. On each of the 293 barnacles we measured: capitulum length, scutum length, tergum length, distance from each thickened zone on the scutum to the growth edge of the scutum, and distance from each thickened zone of the tergum to the growth edge of the tergum. Capitulum lengths ranged from 34.50 to 56.70 mm. One to 4 thickened growth lines were found in 218 of the 293 specimens (127 with 1, 74 with 2, 9 with 3, and 8 with 4). The number of zones did not correlate with capitulum length, and not all thickened zones were equally distinct. SST was 29.5°C in February 1998 when the buoy was deployed, rose to above 30°C in May 1998, fell to near 26.5°C in January 1999, rose again to 28.5°C in late April, then fell about a degree before the buoy was recovered. The temperature variations may have resulted in variations in growth rate, causing the variations in shell morphology. If so, the timing of the temperature variations can be used to quantify growth rates of barnacles in this collection.

152 Coquimbo - Chile 14- 17 October 2007 POSTER CONTRIBUTIONS

ABUNDANCE AND DISTRIBUTION OF PORTUNIDAE LARVAE IN THE ESTUARY AND ADJACENTE COASTAL REGION OF THE PATOS LAGOON Vieira, R.R.R., Calazans, D.K. Laboratório de Crustáceos Decápodes, DOc, FURG – Brasil. E-mail: [email protected]

Crab larvae were caught in the estuarine region of Patos Lagoon and nearby coastal region in 1995 and 1999. Planktonic larvae were caught fortnightly by a conical net towed for three 3 at 2 knots was used to sample on surface and bottom waters, at least 5 stations in the estuarine and 2 stations in the coastal region. Larvae representing 3 species of portunids were identify: Arenaeus cribrarius, Callinectes sapidus e Portunus spinicarpus. In 1995 larvae of 3 species were caught, with zoea total abundance of 121.98ind100m-3 from which 90.95ind.100m-3 and 31.03ind.100m-3 were caught in surface and bottom, respectively. A total abundance of megalopae was 452.27ind.100m-3 from which 13.49ind100m-3 in surface and 438.78ind.100m-3 were caught in bottom. In 1995 larvae were numerous throughout the estuary during summer and spring in surface and bottom waters, respectively. Callinectes sapidus was the most abundant specie. In 1999 only zoea of Callinectes sapidus were caught in summer, with a total abundance of 419.78ind.100m-3 from which 386.98ind.100m-3 and 32.80ind.100m-3 were caught in surface and bottom, respectively. Megalopae of 3 species were caught, resulting a total abundance of 179.91ind.100m-3 from which 25.38ind.100m-3 in surface and 154.53ind.100m-3 were caught in bottom. In surface all megalopae were Callinectes sapidus caught in summer. In bottom Arenaeus cribrarius was the most abundant specie in summer and Callinectes sapidus was in spring. The abundance of larvae in the plankton decreased with distance upstream. These trends are in large part related to the decreasing salinity upstream, although other factors may be involved as well. Larvae were more abundant in bottom than near the surface. This tendency of many larvae, especially latter stages, to congregate near the bottom where the net flow is upstream may be one of the factors operating to insure retention of portunids larvae within the Patos Lagoon.

THE FRESHWATER CRABS OF AMERICA (HETEROTREMATA: PSEUDOTHELPHUSIDAE): DIVERSITY AND DISTRIBUTION Villalobos, J. L., Alvarez, F., Botello, A. Colección Nacional de Crustáceos, Instituto de Biología, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Apartado Postal 70-153, México 04510, D.F., México. E-mail: [email protected]

The freshwater crabs of the family Pseudothelphusidae are common dwellers of epigean and hipogean waters, distributed throughout the warm-temperate and tropical regions of the continent. Although the first studies of the group are more than 180 years old, the total number of species in the family is still undefined and basic aspects of their biology and ecology are virtually unknown. In most cases the species representation is limited to the specimens in the type series, and their distribution restricted to one or a few localities. The terminology of the diagnostic characters needs to be updated. The classification scheme within the family is complex and does not rely on a phylogenetic reconstruction to test the monophyly of the group and to clarify relationships at lower taxonomic levels. Biogeographically, we lack a hypothesis to explain the patterns of ancestral distributions and their relationship with major geological events that occurred in the region. Considering that the last effort to compile and organize the information on the Pseudothelphusidae was that of Rodríguez (1982), it is now necessary to update this effort. As a first step to create the necessary baseline data for further analyses we carried out an exhaustive revision to list all the species described until May 2007. A total of two subfamilies, five tribes, 40 genera and 269 species were registered. The tribe Hypolobocerini was the most diversified (104 species, 11 genera), and the Kingsleyini had the highest number of genera (12). The most species-rich region is in northern South America, in Colombia and Venezuela. The Isthmus Tehuantepec in southeastern Mexico is a unique region within the range of the family where 13 genera belonging to three tribes co-occur. The accumulative species curve shows that 60% of the known species were described in the last 30 years with a steep positive slope.

153 Coquimbo - Chile 14- 17 October 2007 POSTER CONTRIBUTIONS

REPRODUCTION IN THE PORCELLANID CRAB Petrolisthes armatus (DECAPODA: ANOMURA): PACIFIC VERSUS ATLANTIC POPULATIONS Wehrtmann, I.S. 1, Miranda, I.2, Mantelatto, F. L. 2 1 Centro de Investigación en Ciencias del Mar y Limnología (CIMAR) and Escuela de Biología, Universidad de Costa Rica, San Pedro, San José 2060, Costa Rica; 2 Laboratory of Bioecology and Crustacean Systematics, Department of Biology, FFCLRP, University of São Paulo (USP), Av. Bandeirantes - 3900, CEP 14040-901, Ribeirão Preto (SP), Brazil. E-mail: [email protected]

Comparative studies of species known to occur over a wide geographic range can provide valuable information on the development of intraspecific adaptations to different environmental conditions. Here we present results concerning the porcellanid crab Petrolisthes armatus with a known geographic distribution covering a wide range of latitudes. We conducted a latitudinal comparison of egg production and reproductive output between two populations from Pacific and Atlantic coasts. Ovigerous females were collected between September and November 2005 in Punta Morales, Costa Rica (n = 202) and Araçá region, São Paulo, Brazil (n = 146). Maximum fecundity was similar in both populations (around 1140 eggs); however, egg production started in Pacific Costa Rica at a smaller female size than in Brazil. Specimens from Pacific Costa Rica produced roughly three times more eggs than equally sized females from Brazil, while newly-extruded embryos were considerably larger in Brazil than in Costa Rica (0.09 mm3 and 0.040, respectively). Egg volume increased during embryogenesis by 97.5% and 100.0% in Costa Rican and Brazilian populations, respectively. The egg water content of the Brazilian specimens was highest at the beginning of the incubation period (97.5%), while in the Costa Rican population water content increased steadily during embryogenesis; close to hatching, average egg water content was similar in Pacific and Atlantic populations (68.5%. and 78.7%, respectively) and within the range reported for other marine decapods. Average reproductive output (based on dry weight) was substantially higher in Costa Rica (0.069) than in Brazil (0.026). In accordance to Thorson’s rule, both female and egg size increased towards higher latitudes in P. armatus.

EFFECTS OF MATERNAL PROVISIONING AND TEMPERTURE ON THE EARLY ONTOGENY OF Cancer pagurus FROM THE NORTH SEA Weiss, M.1, Thatje, S. 2, Anger, K.3 1 Alfred-Wegener-Institut für Polar- und Meeresforschung, Am Handelshafen 12, 27570 Bremerhaven, Germany; 2 National Oceanography Centre, Southampton, School of Ocean and Earth Science, University of Southampton, European Way, SO14 3ZH Southampton, United Kingdom; 3 Biologische Anstalt Helgoland, Stiftung Alfred-Wegener-Institut für Polar- und Meeresforschung, 27498 Helgoland, Germany. E-mail: [email protected]

The influence of temperature and maternal energy provisioning on the offspring was studied in the larvae of the edible crab, Cancer pagurus, from a population off the Island of Helgoland, North Sea. Among freshly hatched larvae from eight females, biomass and elemental composition varied significantly (all p < 0.01), with a pattern of increasing energy supply into larvae produced by larger females. Dry mass (DM) ranged from 12.1 to 17.9 µg-ind, carbon content from 4.6 µg-ind to 5.8 µg-ind, nitrogen from 1.1 to 1.3 µg-ind, and the C:N ratio ranged from 4.1 to 4.4. Larvae originating from the same female but hatched in consecutive nights showed significant variability in biomass and elemental composition. In rearing experiments conducted at five different temperatures (6, 10, 14, 18, 24°C), zoeal development was only completed at 14°C. The results suggest limits of larval growth at elevated seawater temperatures. In the context of global warming, this might be important for future management of this commercially fished benthic predator. Intraspecific variability in the initial energy content of larvae as well as size-related female energy allocation into offspring is discussed from both an evolutionary and ecological point of view

154 Coquimbo - Chile 14- 17 October 2007 POSTER CONTRIBUTIONS

ESTIMATION OF SEXUAL MATURITY LOGISTIC CURVE FOR YELLOW SQUAT LOBSTER (Cervimunida johni) OFF SOUTHERN CENTRAL CHILE Zilleruelo, R.M., Montenegro, C.P. Instituto de Fomento Pesquero IFOP, Blanco 839, Casilla 8V, Valparaíso, Chile. E-mail: [email protected]

The sexual maturity logistic curve allows the estimation of proportion of sexually mature individuals according to length class. Mean length at sexual maturity (length at which 50% of all individuals are sexually mature or L50%) is an important demographic parameter in determining the effect of fishing on exploited marine populations. In this context, an estimation of sexual maturity curve and L50% for yellow squat lobster off southern central Chile is made, and the results compared with estimates for the individuals caught off northern central Chile, where more biological information is available. We use a generalized linear model with binomial distribution and the logit link function (more known as logistic regression), to describe the relationship between the corporal size and the maturity process. Parameters estimated from the fitted model were used to obtain the median size at 50% sexual maturity and their asymptotic 95% confident interval using an analytical procedure (McCullagh & Nelder, 1989). Biological information for southern central Chile (Región V to Región VIII) between years 1997 and 2000 was available, and monthly data to fit the model was selected among the available information, considering months of higher ovigerous female proportion, sample size and suitability to fit the logistic curve. The fitted model estimated parameters were b0 = -13.940 and b1 = 0.427 with L50% = 32.67 mm.

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