Research Article
Print
Research Article
Diversity and distribution of Chirostyloidea and Galatheoidea (Decapoda, Anomura) in the Southern Gulf of Mexico
expand article infoAna Rosa Vazquez-Bader‡, Adolfo Gracia‡
‡ UNAM, D.F. Mexico, Mexico

Corresponding author: Ana Rosa Vazquez-Bader ( ana-rosav@hotmail.com )

Academic editor: Sammy De Grave
© 2016 Ana Rosa Vazquez-Bader, Adolfo Gracia.
This is an open access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (CC BY 4.0), which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original author and source are credited.
Citation: Vázquez-Bader AR, Gracia A (2016) Diversity and distribution of Chirostyloidea and Galatheoidea (Decapoda, Anomura) in the Southern Gulf of Mexico. ZooKeys 612: 1-30. https://doi.org/10.3897/zookeys.612.9492
ZooBank: urn:lsid:zoobank.org:pub:820091DF-90D8-4185-8624-600B274F9AE9
Open Access

Abstract

We examined the diversity, abundance, distribution, and average size of squat lobsters collected during eight cruises conducted on the continental shelf and slope of the Gulf of Mexico (Mexican/USA border to the Caribbean Sea). Six species belonging to two genera of Chirostyloidea, and 25 species of four genera of Galatheoidea are reported. A total of 1513 specimens were obtained of which 95 were Chirostylidae, two Galatheidae, 285 Munidopsidae, and 1131 Munididae. Of the species collected, 13.8% were only known from Caribbean Sea. Three species of Chirostylidae—G. salvadori, U. capillatus, and U. spiniger—as well two of Munidopsidae, M. bradleyi and M. riveroi, are recorded for the first time in the Gulf of Mexico. The upper bathymetric range of one species and the lower one for eight species are extended. Biological and ecological traits of squat lobsters in the southern Gulf of Mexico are also provided.

Keywords

Chirostilydae, Galatheidae , Munididae , Munidopsidae , Gulf of Mexico, depth, distribution, abundance, new records

Introduction

Squat lobsters (Chirostyloidea and Galatheoidea) are abundant, speciose, and distributed worldwide (Fierro et al. 2008; Kilgoure and Shirley 2014; Konishi and Saito 2000; de Melo-Filho 2006; de Melo-Filho and de Melo 1992; de Melo-Filho and de Melo 2001 a and b; Miyake and Baba 1970; Navas et al. 2003; Pequegnat and Pequegnat 1970). Schnabel et al. (2011a) and Schnabel et al. (2011b) recognized ca.1000 species (ca. 10% undescribed) that occur in all marine habitats, from the intertidal zone to more than 5400 m depth, including anchialine caves and hydrothermal vents. Recent molecular and phylogenetic studies of the Anomura have proposed significant changes in the phylogenetic relationships of squat lobsters. These recent studies indicate that the Chirostyloidea Ortmann, 1892, include the following families: Chirostylidae Ortmann, 1892, Eumunididae A. Milne-Edwards & Bouvier, 1900, and Kiwaidae Macpherson, Jones & Segonzac, 2005 (Schnabel and Ahyong 2010). The Galatheoidea Samouelle, 1819, comprises: Galatheidae Samouelle, 1819; Munididae, Ahyong, Baba, MacPherson & Poore 2010; Munidopsidae, Ortmann, 1898; and Porcellanidae Haworth, 1825 (Ahyong et al. 2010; Schnabel et al. 2011a). The Chirostylidae currently includes seven genera and over 200 species worldwide (Baba 2009; Baba and Lin 2008; Baba et al. 2008; Ahyong et al. 2009, Schnabel and Ahyong 2010), whereas the Galatheidae includes 11 genera and 95 species; the Munididae 20 genera and 395 species; and the Munidopsidae four genera and 250 species (Ahyong et al. 2011).

Squat lobsters are of ecological and economic interest because they play an important role in the marine food chain in coastal areas and sustain important fisheries in Central and South America and the Mediterranean Sea. However, overall studies of squat lobsters around the world have been mainly related to new species descriptions, and relatively few studies have made emphasis on their ecology and population structure (Creasy et al. 2000; Huguet et al. 2005; Kassuga et al. 2008; Maiorano et al. 2013).

In the southern Gulf of Mexico, Chirostyloidea and Galatheoidea species composition, distribution and abundance are poorly known compared to the northern Gulf. Though they are one of the most abundant and diverse groups just after penaeoids, information is restricted to a few species records (Escobar et al. 2008). In the last decade, several expeditions to study benthic biodiversity of the continental shelf and slope of the southern Gulf of Mexico have been conducted (Gracia et al. 2010; Vázquez-Bader and Gracia 2013; Vázquez-Bader et al. 2014). This paper represents the first attempt to contribute to the overall diversity, ecology, and knowledge of this group in this area. We provide data about specific composition, depth and geographic distribution, as well as basic biology and ecology traits of squat lobsters in the southern Gulf of Mexico.

Material and methods

All the material analyzed was collected during research cruises in the southern Gulf of Mexico onboard the R/V Justo Sierra of the Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, on the continental shelf and slope of the Mexican Gulf of Mexico. Samples were obtained day and night with an otter trawl (18 m mouth aperture, 4.5 cm stretched mesh, 1.5 cm stretched mesh cod-end). Each tow lasted 30 min at a speed of 2.5–3.0 knots. We performed 273 trawls between 300 and 1200 m during the following expeditions: BATO (spring 1998), BIOREPES1 (summer 2005), BIOREPES2 (spring 2007), BIOREPES3 (autumn 2008), COBERPES (summer 2009), and COBERPES 2011 (spring 2011), COBERPES 3 (Autumn 2011), and COBERPES 4 (Summer 2012). Additional material examined was collected from cruises SGM (between 15–100 m) in the Campeche Bank area (Fig. 1).

Figure 1. 

Study area showing sampling stations by oceanographic cruise. Abbreviations: T = Tampico, V = Veracruz, TA = Tabasco, C = Campeche, Y = Yucatán, QR = Quintana Roo.

The catch of each haul was sorted by species and counted onboard. All material collected was determined to species level, preserved in ethanol (80%), and deposited in the Crustacean Reference Collection of the Laboratorio de Ecología Pesquera de Crustáceos, Instituto de Ciencias del Mar y Limnología, UNAM(EPC). For each specimen, we recorded cruise name and station number (stn.), and registered the geographic distribution according to a sector and subsector division within the Southern Gulf of Mexico (NNE = North northeastern; WNW = West Northwestern; SSW = South Sothtwestern; SSE = South Southestern; and ESE = East Southeastern) (Felder et al. 2009). We analyzed abundance, size and sex for each species (males = M and females = F). The carapace length (CL) was measured from the posterior border of the orbit to the mid-point of the posterodistal margin to the nearest 0.1 mm with a calibrated caliper. Differences in abundance by size and sex related to seasons (spring, summer and autumn) and 100 m depth intervals were analyzed for the most abundant species using a one-way ANOVA (STATISTICA version 12.0 StatSoft, Inc.). When ANOVA results were significant, post-hoc Tukey tests were used (Sokal and Rohlf 1995). Also, when sex ratio deviated from the expected proportion (1 M: 1 F), we applied a two tail χ2 test.

Results

Superfamily Chirostyloidea

We collected 95 individuals belonging to two genera and six species of Chirostylidae. Although all species occur throughout the Gulf of Mexico, only one had sample size large enough for a meaningful statistical analysis. Among the chryrostiloids examined we found approximately 31 individuals belonging to Gastroptychus that could not be clearly assigned any of described species of this genus. These specimens will be the object of a later study and are not considered herein in the total number for the family.

Gastroptychus salvadori Rice & Miller, 1991

Material examined

BIOREPES 2 stn.12, 1 ovigerous female.

Remarks

One ovigerous female was collected in June (CL 18.2 mm). This species was been reported for the Caribbean only by Baba et al. (2008). Thus, this is the first record for the Gulf of Mexico (SSW sector; off Alacranes Reef, Yucatán Peninsula). Also the upper bathymetric range is extended from 874 m to 650 m.

Gastroptychus spinifer (A. Milne-Edwards, 1880)

Material examined

BATO stn. 20, 3 males; stn. 32, 1 male; stn. 33, 1 ovigerous female; stn. 34, 2 ovigerous females.

Remarks

We collected only seven specimens (males CL 13.5–16.2; ovigerous females CL = 21.7–23.5 mm); 299–562.5 m. The ovigerous females distributed deeper (414.5–562.5 m) than males (299.0–311.8 m). These records are the first in the in SSW sector (Bank of Campeche), previous distribution was reported in NNE, NNW, and ESE of the Gulf of Mexico (Felder et al. 2009).

Uroptychus capillatus Benedict, 1902

Material examined

COBERPES 2011 stn. B1, 3 females, 1 ovigerous female; stn. B9, 6 males, 8 females, 4 ovigerous females.

Remarks

The 22 individuals occurred in front of Ría Lagartos, Quintana Roo between 976.0 and 1040.0 m. The overall sex ratio (1 M: 2.66 F) deviates significantly from the expected ratio 1:1 (χ2 = 4.545 with 1 degree of freedom, two-tailed (P = 0.03). The carapace length size in males ranged from 4.7 to 10.2 mm, whereas females range was 6.3–10.00 mm and in ovigerous females was 8.3 to 11.2. The material examined increased the lower bathymetric limit to 1040 m from previous range (306–573 m, Baba et al 2008). Also, it is the first record for the sector SSE Gulf of Mexico. Previous records are only for the Caribbean (Baba et al 2008).

Uroptychus nitidus (A. Milne-Edwards, 1880)

Material examined

BATO stn. 29, 1 female; stn. 47, 1 female,1 ovigerous female; stn. 48, 1 female, 1 ovigerous female, stn. 53, 1 ovigerous female. BIOREPES 2 stn. 27, 1 male, 1 ovigerous female; stn. 28, 1 male; stn. 28b, 1 male, 1 ovigerous female; stn. 31, 1 female. BIOREPES 3 stn. A16, 1 ovigerous female; stn. C1, 6 males, 2 females, 3 ovigerous females. COBERPES stn. A6, 1 ovigerous female; stn. B10, 1 male; stn. B11, 1 male. COBERPES 2011 stn. B9, 15 males, 4 females, 5 ovigerous females, stn. D1b, 1 female, stn. D10, 1 female stn. C2, 1 male, 1 female, stn. D6b, 3 males, stn. C3, 3 males, 1 female.

Remarks

This species was the most abundant and frequent of the genus Uroptychus (n = 62 individuals). Specimens were collected off Laguna Madre, Tamaulipas; Términos Lagoon, Campeche; Carmen y Machona, Tabasco; N of Alacranes Reef, and Progreso, Yucatán; between 352 and 1044 m. The maximum abundances were found in spring (58.12%) and in sector ESE (61.3%) between 406.5–1044.0 m depth. The overall sex ratio favored males 1.18 M: 1 F, but it was not statistically significant (χ2 = 0.581, with 1 degree of freedom, two-tailed P = 0.45). Ovigerous females were present in spring, summer, and autumn.

The bathymetric range was different in summer (352.0–1144.0) and autumn (510.0–552.0 m). Females presented a slightly larger mean carapace length x = 8.9 ± 3.45 (min. 5.0. max 12.9 mm) than males x = 8.8 ± 2.47 (min. 3.8. max 14.8 mm) and ovigerous females x = 8.4, ± 2.10 (min. 4.8 max 12.8 mm). However, ANOVA analysis were only significant for males, F depth = 6.05, p = 0.00; F season = 9.67, p = 0.00. The Tukey post hoc test, showed that summer was significantly different from autumn and spring. The largest mean size was found in summer whereas the smallest one was observed in autumn (Fig. 2b). Significant differences were found between 800–899 and 1000–1099 m depth interval and the others. Also, a size increasing trend related to depth was apparent (Fig. 2a).

Figure 2. 

Size distribution of Uroptychus nitidus, males: a depth interval b season.

Uroptychus spiniger Benedict, 1902

Material examined

COBERPES 2011, stn. B9, 1 ovigerous female; COBERPES 4 stn. B10, 1 ovigerous female.

Remarks

The only two ovigerous females (CL 10.3–11.9 mm) were reported off Laguna Madre, Tamaulipas; and off Isla Holbox, Quintana Roo, in a 990–1040 m depth range. These findings represent the first record in the Gulf of Mexico (WNW and ESE). Also the lower bathymetric limit was extended 332 m from the previous 708 m reported by Baba et al. (2008) in the Caribbean.

Uroptychus uncifer (A. Milne-Edwards, 1880)

Material examined

COBERPES stn. A6, 1 ovigerous female.

Remarks

We collected only one ovigerous female in summer at 1144 m. (CL 12.6 mm); that constitutes the first record in the sector SSW Gulf of Mexico (off Carmen y Machona Lagoon, Tabasco) This single record increases 654 m the reported bathymetric range (155 to 490 m, Baba et al. 2008; Felder et al. 2009).

Superfamily Galatheoidea

We only collected two individuals of one genus and one species of Galatheidae family.

Galathea rostrata A. Milne-Edwards, 1880

Additional material examined

SGM 10 stn. 145.78, 2 males.

Remarks

G. rostrata was the only species collected of this family. The two individuals were found in front of Términos Lagoon, Campeche at 54 m depth (SSW). The two males (7.2–7.8 mm CL) were collected during autumn and constitute the first record in sector SSW.

Family Munididae

In this family we collected 1131 organisms belonging to two genera and nine species, of these, only five species had sample sizes large enough to stand statistical analyses.

Agononida longipes (A. Milne-Edwards, 1880)

Material examined

BATO stn. 24, 1 male, stn. 26, 1 ovigerous female, stn. 27, 2 females, 5 ovigerous females, stn. 29, 3 males, stn. 33, 2 males, 3 females, 1 ovigerous female; stn. 41, 5 males, 1 female, stn. 49, 1 male; stn. 54, 1 female. BIOREPES 1 stn. 12, 2 males, 3 females, 1 ovigerous female; stn. 26, 5 males; stn. 27, 7 males, 3 females; stn. 30, 62 males, 61 females; stn. 31, 5 males, 1 female, 10 ovigerous females. BIOREPES 2 stn. 2, 2 males, 2 females, 1 ovigerous female; stn. 4, 1 ovigerous female; stn. 14, 1 male; stn. 15, 7 males; stn. 18, 1 female, 5 ovigerous females; stn. 34, 1 male, 1 female, 1 ovigerous females. BIOREPES 3 stn. A2, 3 males, 3 females; stn. A10, 1 female; stn. A22, 1 male; stn. A23, 1 ovigerous female; stn. A24, 2 males, 1 female; stn. A25, 1 male; stn. B2, 1 male, 2 females, 1 ovigerous female; stn. B3, 1 male, 2 females; stn. B6, 1 male, 1 female, 1 ovigerous female 1; stn. B7, 5 males, 2 ovigerous females; stn. C2, 1 male, 3 females; stn. C5, 2 males, 4 females, 2 ovigerous females. COBERPES 1 stn. A9, 1 male, 1 female, 1 ovigerous female; stn. B9, 5 males, 4 females, 1 ovigerous female; stn. B14, 1 female, 1 ovigerous female; stn. Ω2, 11 males, 8 females, 9 ovigerous females; stn. Ω15, 2 males, 3 females; stn. E4, 1 female. COBERPES 2011 stn. E1, 2 ovigerous females; E7, 4 males. COBERPES 3 stn. α5, 1female; stn. B10, 2 males, 1 female. COBERPES 4 stn. A1b, females 1; A3, 1 male; stn. B15b, 7 males, 5 females; stn. B26b, 7 males, 7 females; stn. B27, 1 male; stn.C33b, 7 females; stn. C34, 4 males, 2 females.

Additional material examined

SIGSBEE 9 stn. A4, 8 males, 5 females, 1 ovigerous female, stn. A6, 15 males, 11 females, 5 ovigerous females, stn. A7, 11 males, 1 female, 1 ovigerous female, stn. A9, 11 males, 14 females, 4 ovigerous females. SIGSBEE 10 stn. C, 1 male, stn. D, 4 females, stn. E, 2 females, stn. F, 1 male, 1 ovigerous female.

Remarks

This species presented a wide distribution in the southern Gulf of Mexico, in Yucatán, off Celestún; Tamaulipas, San Fernando River; Veracruz, Tamiahua Lagoon and Pánuco River; in Tabasco off Grijalva-Usumacinta Rivers; and Quintana Roo, off Holbox Island; from 110.5 to 1140.0 m depth. A. longipes was the most common and abundant species of squat lobsters throughout all cruises with 446 individuals. The overall sex ratio was 0.94 M: 1.0 F. The maximum abundance was observed in summer (77.8%; from 309.0 to 1140.0 m) and in the SSW sector (53.4%; 231.6–913.0 m). Ovigerous females (n = 58), exhibited larger mean CLx = 15.328 ± 2.148 (min. 10.7, max. 20.8 mm) than males (n = 216), CLx = 14.253 ± 6.583 (min. 2.0, max. 34.0 mm) and females (n = 172), CLx = 14.048 ± 3.025 (min. 7.61, max. 22.5 mm).

The ANOVA test showed that the mean CL in males, females, and ovigerous females were statistically different among seasons: F (2;207) = 8.48; p = 0.00; F (3;168) = 5.83; p = 0.00; F (2;55) = 6.94; p = 0.00, respectively. The largest sizes were present in spring, whereas the smallest were in summer (Figs 3b, d, e; Tukey Test). However, the mean CL among the depth strata were statistically different only in males and females: F (5;204) = 4.49; p = 0.00; F (3;168) = 5.83; p = 0.00, respectively. The largest males were collected in shallower depths (Fig. 3a), while the largest females were in deeper ones (Fig. 3c). The seasonal sex ratio approached the expected proportion (1 M: 1 F), except in autumn (0.68 M: 1 F), but it was not statistically different (χ2 = 1.524, p = 0.2170). Ovigerous females were present in spring, summer, and autumn, and the largest number was collected in summer between 269.0–913.0 m depth. The percentage of bopyrid infestation in each sex was relatively uniform (males = 5.8 and females 4.1). The CL size of parasitized individuals ranged from 1.9 to 15.2 mm in males and 11.1 to 15.4 mm in females.

Figure 3. 

Size distribution of Agononida longipes, males: a depth interval season; females c depth interval d seasons; ovigerous females e season.

Munida constricta A. Milne-Edwards, 1880

Material examined

BATO stn. 53, 3 males. BIOREPES 1: stn 6, 1 male; stn 42, 3 males, 1 female; stn. 47, 4 males, 2 females, 1 ovigerous female; stn 50, 2 males, 1 female; stn 54, 2 males, 3 females, 1 ovigerous female; stn 55, 8 males, 5 females. BIOREPES 2 stn 4, 1 male; stn. 11, 1 male; stn 12, 1 male, stn. 25, 13 males, 2 females; stn. 31, 3 males; stn. 37, 4 males. COBERPES 3 stn. B2, 2 males.

Remarks

We collected 62 individuals in the sectors SSW, SSE, and ESE; from 305.3 to 814.0 m depth. In Tabasco, this species was found off Carmen y Machona Lagoon; Yucatán at N of Alacranes Reef, and N of Celestún; and in Campeche, off Términos Lagoon. The highest abundance was found in summer (93.5%) at a 321.4–717.8 m depth range. M. constricta was mainly reported in sector SSE (79.1%, 536.0–717.0 m). The overall sex ratio was 3.2 M: 1 F, χ2 = 16.516, p < 0.0001. Females exhibited larger mean CLx = 14.1 ± 3.02 (min.7.6- max. 22.5 mm) than males CLx = 13.7 ± 2.516 (min. 2.0, max. 21.7 mm). Only the CL size of males presented statistically significant differences (ANOVA: F (2; 45) = 6.08; p = 0.00); the smallest sizes were found at shallower depths, whereas larger ones were observed at deeper depths (Fig. 4). The sex ratio in summer (3.8 M: 1 F) was significantly different from the expected proportion (χ2 = 19.931, 1 degree of freedom, two-tailed, P = 0.0001). The two ovigerous females (CL = 13.6–17.6 mm) were collected in autumn. We found only one female (CL = 14.43 mm) infested with bopyrid. The material collected represents the first records in the sectors SSW, SSE, and ESE.

Figure 4. 

Size distribution of Munida constricta, males and depth interval.

Munida evermanni Benedict, 1901

Material examined

BATO stn. 32, 1 male. BIOREPES 1 stn.5, 12 males, 6 females, 2 ovigerous females, stn 6, 19 males, 9 females, 9 ovigerous females 9, stn. 8, 2 males, 1 female, 1 ovigerous female, stn, 20 10 males, 3 females, 8 ovigerous females, stn 22, 2 males. BIOREPES 2 stn. 14, 12 males, stn. 16, 8 males, 1 female, 8 ovigerous females, stn. 18, 2 males, 1 female, 15 ovigerous females, stn. 21, 2 males, 1 ovigerous female, stn. 32, 1 ovigerous female. COBERPES 2011 stn. E1, 30 males, 29 ovigerous females. COBERPES 3 stn. B9, 2 males.

Remarks

This species was the third one in abundance with 197 individuals. They were collected in sectors SSW, WSW and SSE, from Yucatán: N of Celestún, N Alacranes Reef, Puerto Progreso to Campeche, off Términos Lagoon. The maximum abundance was observed in summer (68.5%; 257.4–863.0 m) mainly in the SSE sector (55.8%; 305.3–346.0 m). The overall sex ratio (1.07 M: 1 F) was not statistical significantly different. The mean CL size of ovigerous females was larger x = 14.6 ± 1.569 (min. 10.5, max. 18.3 mm) than males x = 13.6 ± 2.189 (min. 7.1, max. 18.0 mm) and females x = 13.5 ± 2.747 (min. 9.7, max. 19.4 mm). The smallest CL male sizes were observed in shallower depths, while the largest ones were found in deeper areas (F = 12.52; p = 0.00) (Fig. 5a). The smallest sizes were mainly reported in spring and the largest in autumn (F = 8.69; p = 0.00) (Fig. 5b). The ovigerous females were collected in spring and summer, and we found a significant difference in CL by depth (F = 16.46; p = 0.00) (Fig. 5c). The sex ratio in spring and summer presented minimum differences that were not statistically significant. The material collected represents the first records in the sectors SSW, WSW, SSE. In addition, we increase the deeper bathymetric range to 863 m.

Figure 5. 

Size distribution of Munida evermanni, males: a depth interval b season; ovigerous females c season.

Munida forceps A. Milne-Edwards, 1880

Material examined

BATO stn. 11, 1 female, stn. 32, 1 male. BIOREPES 1 stn 15, 3 males, 3 females, 2 ovigerous females. BIOREPES 3 stn. A1, 2 ovigerous females, stn A 24, 2 males.

Additional material examined

MOPEED 1 stn. J1, 1 male. MOPEED 2 stn. J2, 2 males, 1 ovigerous female, stn. W1, 1 female. MOPEED 4 stn. W1, 1 male, stn. W2, 1 male. SGM 7 stn. GO8, 2 ovigerous females. SGM 8 stn. 6.7, 1 male. SGM 10 stn. 91.26, 1 male. SIGSBEE 9 stn. A9, 1 ovigerous female. SIGSBEE 10 stn F, 1 female.

Remarks

M. forceps was collected in the Campeche Bank, Campeche; Tuxpan, Veracruz; and off Alacranes Reef, Yucatán from 55 to 442.5 m. The highest abundance was observed in the SSW sector (77.8%, 55 to 269 m), mainly in summer (70.4%); the overall sex ratio was 0.93 M: 1 F. Females were larger x = 15.476 ± 1.862 (13.7–18.1 mm) than males x = 14.356 ± 3.471 (10.2–20.2 mm) and ovigerous females x = 13.776 ± 4.524 (7.6–20.5 mm). The ovigerous females were present in summer and autumn.

Munida iris A. Milne-Edwards, 1880

Material examined

BATO stn. 29, 2 males; stn. 33, 1 ovigerous female; stn. 41, 3 males, 2 females; stn. 49, 1 male; stn. 50, 2 males, 1 female; stn. 54, 1 male, 2 ovigerous females; stn. 59, 1 male, 1 ovigerous female. BIOREPES 1 stn, 12, 2 males, 2 ovigerous females; stn. 27, 33 males, 26 females, 42 ovigerous females; stn.30, 2 males, 1 female; stn 34, 37 males, 1 female, 1 ovigerous female. BIOREPES 2 stn. 2, 1 female; stn 10, 1 ovigerous female. BIOREPES 3 stn. A1, 1 female; stn. A2, 1 ovigerous female; stn. A24, 1 male; stn. B2, 1 male; stn. B6, 1 male; stn. C5, 2 males, 2 females, 1 ovigerous female. COBERPES stn. B9, 2 males; stn. Ω2, 1 male, 1 female. COBERPES 3 stn. B2, 3 males; stn. B9, 3 males; stn. B10, 2 males, stn B 15B, 1 ovigerous female. COBERPES 2011 stn. B9, 3 males, 1 ovigerous female, stn. E1, 1 male; stn E4, 2 males, 2 ovigerous females; stn. E7, 8 males, 1 ovigerous female. COBERPES 4 stn. B15B, 1 male, 1 ovigerous female; stn C34B, 1 male.

Additional material examined

SIGSBEE 9 stn. A9, 1 male. MOPEED 2 stn. W1, 1 female.

Remarks

This species was the second in abundance with 215 individuals collected off San Fernando River, Tamaulipas; Tuxpan, Veracruz; Campeche Bank, Campeche; off Alacranes and Arenas Reef, Yucatán; sectors: WNW, WSW, SSW, ESE, SSE; 244.6–1040.0 m. The overall sex ratio was 1.26 M: 1 F. The greatest abundance was found in summer (69.8%; 244.6–913.0 m) mainly in the ESE sector (54.9%; 249.9–452.0 m). The ovigerous CL mean was larger (x = 23.7 ± 2.74, min. 12.6, max. 26.3 mm) than females (x = 22.9 ± 3.304 min. 11.6, max. 27.7 mm) and males (x = 20.2 ± 6.041 min. 8.3, max. 30.9 mm). The ANOVA analysis of CL showed significant differences through depth strata in all sexes: males F (3; 97) = 162.55, p = 0.00, females F (2; 33) = 12.60, and ovigerous females F depth (3, 48) = 21.80, p = 0.00. Male and ovigerous female small sizes were found at shallow depth interval, whereas females were at deeper depth (Figs 6a, c, d). Only males presented significant size difference among seasons F (2;98) = 13.59; p = 0.00. Highest sizes were reported in autumn, whereas small ones were in summer (Fig. 6b). The differences of sex ratio in spring (1.07 M: 1 F) and summer (2.3 M: 1 F) were not statistically different compared to autumn (3.25 M: 1 F; χ2 = 4.765, with 1 degree of freedom, two-tailed P = 0.0290). Ovigerous females were collected in spring, summer, and autumn; the greatest percentage (20.9%) was reported in summer in a 245–412 m depth range. Two males were infested with rhizocephalans (CL 21.3–24–9 mm), also one male (CL = 23.8 mm) and one female (CL = 30.3 mm) were infested with bopyrid.

Figure 6. 

Size distribution of Munida iris, males: a depth interval b season; females: c depth interval; ovigerous females d depth interval.

Munida irrasa A. Milne-Edwards, 1880

Material examined

BIOREPES1 stn. 34, 11 ovigerous females; stn. 35, 1 male.

Remarks

M. irrasa occurred off Alacranes Reef, Yucatán; SSW, 443.7–829.0 m depth. The ovigerous females size ranged from 9.6 to 12.2 mm (summer at 443.7m), and the only male’s CL size reported was 13.1 mm (summer at 829.0 m).

Munida microphthalma A. Milne-Edwards, 1880

Material examined

COBERPES stn. A6, 1 male.

Remarks

We collected only one male (CL = 12.5 mm) in front of Carmen y Machona Lagoon, Tabasco; 1144 m, sector WSW.

Munida miles A. Milne-Edwards, 1880

Material examined

BATO stn. 10, 1 male, 1 ovigerous female, stn. 29, 1 male, stn. 54, 1 male, 2 ovigerous females, stn. 59, 1 male. BIOREPES 1 stn 12, 2 males, 2 females, 3 ovigerous females, stn 13, 1 male, 1 ovigerous female, stn 18, 1 female 1, stn 28 1 female, stn 31, 1 male. BIOREPES 2 stn 10, 1 male. COBERPES 2011 stn. B4, 1 male, 1 ovigerous female. COBERPES 3 stn B2, 1 female, stn. B10, 3 males, 1 female, 1 ovigerous female.

Remarks

M. miles was collected off Alacranes Reef, Yucatán; Campeche Bank, Campeche; San Fernando River, Tamaulipas; at 245.6–590.0 m. Although, it was most abundant in sector SSW (89.7%; 327.5–590.0 m), mainly in summer (51.7%; 394.5–455.8 m). Sex ratio throughout seasons was similar and close to the expected proportion 1:1. The mean CL in ovigerous females was 18.7 mm, 18.1 mm for males and 14.1 mm for females. The ovigerous females (31.09% of the total collected) occurred in spring, summer, and autumn, but the maximum number was found in summer. Only one male was infested with a rhizocephalan parasite (CL = 18.9 mm). The material collected represents the first record in the sector SSW.

Munida valida Smith, 1883

Material examined

BATO stn. 10, 1 ovigerous female; stn. 35, males 1, females 1, ovigerous females 1; stn. 48, 1 male, 1 female; stn. 49, 2 males, 1 female; stn. 53, males 2, females 3. BIOREPES 1 stn. 42, 3 males, 3 females; stn 47, 5 males, 5 females; stn 48, 2 males, 1 female; stn 50, 3 males; stn 54, 1 male, 3 females; stn 55, 9 females. BIOREPES 2 stn. 10, 1 female; stn.11, 3 males, 1 ovigerous female; stn. 25, 2 males, females 2; stn. 37, 1 male, 1 female. BIOREPES 3 stn. A12, 6 males, 2 ovigerous females; stn. A13, 2 males; stn. A24, 2 males; stn. B1, 1 ovigerous female; stn. B5, 1 female, 1 ovigerous female; stn. C7, 2 males. COBERPES stn. A3, 2 males; stn. A12B, males 2; stn. B2, 1 male; stn. B12, 1 female; stn. B13, 1 male, 1 female; stn. B15, 1 male, 1 female; stn. Ω1, 2 males; stn. Ω6, 2 males; stn. Ω7, 2 females; stn. Ω8, 1 male; stn. Ω14, 1 male; stn. Ω15, 1 female. COBERPES 2011 stn. B2, 1 male; stn. C2, 1 female; stn. D11, 9 males, 8 females; 7 ovigerous females. COBERPES 3 stn. B11, 2 males; stn. α5, 2 males; stn. α6, 1 male; stn. α7, 1 female; stn. α10, 2 males, 1 female, 1 ovigerous female. COBERPES 4 stn A5, 1 female; stn C35B, 1 female; B12B, 1 female; stn B 13, 2 males, 1 female; stn B 14, 2 males, 1 female; stn 30 B, 2 males.

Remarks

This species was frequent in the catches (i.e., 140 individuals), and was practically present in all sectors of the southern Gulf of Mexico: N Celestún, Holbox, Progreso, N Alacranes, Yucatán; Carmen y Machona Lagoons, Tupilco Lagoon, San Pedro and San Pablo Rivers, Tabasco; Coatzacoalcos, Veracruz; 359–1048 m. However, the greatest number was collected in the SSE (n = 44, 536.0–700.0 m) and SSW (n = 42, 317.5–780.0 m) sectors, particularly off rivers and lagoons. The major percentage of organisms (52.9%) was reported in summer (359.0 to 770.0 m), whereas less one was recorded in autumn (10.7%). Ovigerous females mean CL (x = 29.8 ± 7.770, min. 15.4, max. 41.7) was larger than males mean CL, (x = 27.3 ± 7.629 min. 9.7, max. 40.2), and females mean CL (x = 26.2 ± 6.471 min. 11.0, max. 44.0). The smallest size of males and females were found mainly at deeper strata. The ANOVA results were not significant for males CL: [F depth (5; 65) = 1.22, p = 0.31; F season (2, 68) = 0.07, p = 0.93], and females CL: [F depth (3; 50) = 1.05, p = 0.37; F season (2, 51) = 1.31, p = 0.27]. The sex ratio in autumn (2.4 M: 1 F) showed significant differences (χ2 = 4.48, p = 0.03).

Ovigerous females (n = 15) were present in all seasons and almost in all sectors (except WNW) in a depth interval of 510 to 642 m. Four males (CL = 24.5–40.2 mm) and four females (CL = 21.1–44.4 mm) were infected with rhizocephalan. Also one male (CL = 24.3 mm) and one female (CL = 32.5 mm) were infected with bopyrid.

Family Munidopsidae

We collected 285 organisms belonging to two genera and 18 species of Munidopsidae. Only two species had sample size large enough to perform statistical analyses.

Galacantha spinosa A. Milne-Edwards, 1880

Material examined

BIOREPES 1 stn. 28, 1 male, stn. 48, 1 ovigerous female. BIOREPES 2 stn. 5, 1 ovigerous female, stn. 7, 1 ovigerous female, stn 14, 1 ovigerous female, stn. 25, 3 males, stn. 36, 1 male, stn. 37, 1 male. BIOREPES 3 stn. A14, 1 male, 1 female, stn. A15, 3 males, 1 female. COBERPES stn. A6, 1 male, stn. α5, 1 male, stn. α 7, 2 males, 1 ovigerous female, stn. α 8, 1 male, 1 ovigerous female. COBERPES 2011 stn. B2, 1 male, stn. C4, 1 male, 1 ovigerous female, stn. C5, 1 ovigerous female, stn D1, 2 males, 1 female, 1 ovigerous female. COBERPES 3 stn. B17, 1 ovigerous female, stn α7, 2 males, 1 ovigerous female, stn. α 11, 2 males, 1 female, 1 ovigerous female. COBERPES 4 stn. B11, 1 ovigerous female.

Remarks

G. spinosa was collected off Laguna Madre, Tamaulipas (WNW); Tuxpan, Veracruz (WSW), Términos Lagoon, and San Pedro and San Pablo rivers, Campeche (SSW); 640–1144 m. This species was most abundant in the SSW sector and in autumn (42.5% and 37. 5%, respectively). Overall sex ratio favored males 1.4: 1 F, but this difference was not statistically significant. Females reached larger sizes CL x - = 34.3 ± 4.798 (min. 27.0, max. 43.0 mm) than males x = 30.5 ± 7.111. (min. 14.8, max. 40.0). The ovigerous females (CL = 23.6 to 35.4 mm) occurred in spring, summer, and autumn at a 735–1016 m depth range. One female (CL = 20.5 mm) was infested by bopyrid. These are the first records in sectors WSW and WNW; also, we increase the deeper bathymetric limit to 1144 m.

Munidopsis abbreviata (A. Milne-Edwards, 1880)

Material examined

BIOREPES 2 stn. 27, 1 female, stn. 28, 1 ovigerous female.

Remarks

The only two females found (CL = 13.1, and ovigerous = 19.3 mm) were collected in summer. This constitutes the first record in the Gulf of Mexico, off Alacranes Reef, Yucatán; 828.9–965.3 m (sectors SSW and SSE). These records also increase the shallow bathymetric range to 829 m.

Munidopsis alaminos Pequegnat & Pequegnat, 1970

Material examined

BIOREPES 1 stn. 48, 1 male, 1 ovigerous female, stn. 25, 1 male. COBERPES stn. E2, 1 female. COBERPES 2011 stn. C4, 1 ovigerous female. COBERPES 3 stn. α7, 1 female. COBERPES 4 stn. B14, 1 male, stn. A5, 1 female, 1 ovigerous female.

Remarks

The specimens collected in this study were found at San Fernando River, Tamaulipas; Grijalva-Usumacinta Rivers, Tabasco; off Tupilco Lagoon, Tabasco; off Holbox Island, Quintana Roo; in a 513–735 m depth range. The male CL size ranged from 9.8 to 13.9 mm, and the females size ranged from 7.0 to 11.3 mm. Ovigerous females (10.1 to 10.3 mm) were present in spring and summer at 700–735 m. This material constitutes the first record in the SWS (513.0- 640.0 m) and SSE (700.0 m) sectors. One male (CL = 10.3 mm) was infested with bopyrid.

Munidopsis armata (A. Milne-Edwards, 1880)

Material examined

BIOREPES 2 stn. 23, 1 male. COBERPES stn. B8, 1 ovigerous female. COBERPES 2011 stn. B1, 2 males, 2 ovigerous females, stn. B9, 4 males, 2 females, 3 ovigerous females.

Remarks

We collected 15 individuals in front of Grijalva-Usumacinta Rivers, Tabasco; Campeche Bank, Campeche; at 560.0–1040.0 m. Females CL range was 10.8–10.9 mm, whereas the CL for males varied between 5.0–12.3 mm. The ovigerous females (CL = 8.9 to 11.9 mm) were collected in summer at 976.0–1040.0 m. It is the first time that this species is recorded in the SSE and SSW sectors. It was previously reported in sector ESE; Caribbean and South America (Felder et al. 2009).

Munidopsis bradleyi Pequegnat & Pequegnat, 1971

Material examined

COBERPES stn. Ω14, 1 male.

Remarks

This species was found off Tupilco, Lagoon, Tabasco, 573 m depth in the SSW sector. The only individual collected (CL = 25.1 mm) constitutes the first record for the Gulf of Mexico, it was previously recorded in the Caribbean Sea (Baba et al. 2008).

Munidopsis erinacea (A. Milne-Edwards, 1880)

Material examined

BATO stn. 42, 1 male. BIOREPES stn. 47, 11 males, 3 females, 7 ovigerous females 7, stn. 55, 1 ovigerous female. BIOREPES 2 stn. 4, 1 male 1, stn. 11, 2 males, stn. 24, 1 female, stn. 32, 1 male. BIOREPES 3 stn. B6, 2 males. COBERPES stn. A11, 1 female, stn. Ω7, 1 female, stn. A12b, 1 male, 1 ovigerous female, stn B2, 1 ovigerous female, stn. B12, 1 male, stn Ω7, 1 female, stn. Ω14, 1 female. COBERPES 2011 stn. B2, 1 ovigerous female, stn. B4, 2 males, 1 female, 1 ovigerous female, stn. C2, 4 males, 4 ovigerous females, stn. C3, 2 males, 1 ovigerous female, stn. C4, 1 male, 1 female, stn. D1b, 1 female, stn. D6, 1 female, 1 ovigerous female, stn. D9, 11 males. COBERPES 3 stn. α 10, 1 male, stn. α 11, 1 ovigerous female, stn. B17, 1 male.

Remarks

It was collected off Soto la Marina River, Tamaulipas; San Pedro and San Pablo Rivers, Tupilco Lagoon, Tabasco; Términos Lagoon, Campeche; N Alacranes, Yucatán; (ESE, SSE, SSW, WSW); 406.0–820 m. M. erinacea was the sixth species in terms of abundance (n = 72). The highest abundance was observed in the sector ESE during the spring season in a depth range of 700–799 m. The ANOVA analysis was made only for males (n = 37), but did not show significant differences by depth [F (3;32) = 1.1295; p = 0.3518] or season [F (2;33) = 3.0006; p = 0.0635]. The mean size of males was x = 14.0 ± 3.954 (6.0–21.4) at 406–780 m depth range. The mean size of females was x = 10.4 ± 3.346 (6.4–18.0) at 530–820 m depth. The mean size of ovigerous females was x = 12.7 ± 2.431 (8.3–17.1) at 530–820 m depth.

The ovigerous females were observed in all seasons; however, they were more numerous during spring in the ESE sector. Sex ratio was similar in all seasons (1 M: 1 F). Two individuals were infested by rhizocephalans (CL male = 15.9 mm, female = 17.0), and one female (CL = 13.1 mm) was infested by bopyrid.

Munidopsis latifrons (A. Milne-Edwards, 1880)

Material examined

COBERPES 2011 stn. D9, 1 female.

Remarks

Only one specimen was observed in southern Gulf of Mexico: Holbox Island, Yucatán (ESE), at 769 m depth. The female was collected in spring (CL = 5.3 mm).

Munidopsis longimanus (A. Milne-Edwards, 1880)

Material examined

COBERPES 3 stn. α 10, 1 male.

Remarks

We collected only one male during autumn (CL = 10.7 mm), off Grijalva-Usumacinta Rivers, Tabasco (sector SSW) at 780.0 m depth.

Munidopsis polita (A. Milne-Edwards, 1880)

Material examined

COBERPES 4 stn. C33B, 1 male.

Remarks

We collected only one individual during summer (CL = 6.4 mm); additionally, this record is the first one for the WSW sector (Off San Fernando River, Tamaulipas); 352.0 m depth.

Munidopsis ramahtaylorae Pequegnat and Pequegnat, 1971

Material examined

COBERPES stn. A6, 1 female.

Remarks

The only one female was caught in summer (CL = 10.7 mm) and constitutes the first record in the SSW sector (Grijalva-Usumacinta Rivers, Tabasco at 495 m).

Munidopsis riveroi Chace, 1939

Material examined

BIOREPES 3 stn. A10, 1 male.

Additional material examined

SIGSBEE 9 stn. A4, 1 ovigerous female.

Remarks

We collected two individuals off Laguna Madre, Tamaulipas; and off Tamiahua Lagoon, Veracruz (WSW) from 344.5 to 351.0 m depth. We captured one male (CL = 3.6 mm) in autumn and one ovigerous female in summer (CL = 7.4 mm). Both data represent the first record of the species in the entire Gulf of Mexico.

Munidopsis robusta (A. Milne-Edwards, 1880)

Material examined

BIOREPES 3 stn. A2, 4 males, 8 ovigerous females; stn A11, 1 female, 1 ovigerous female; stn. A12, 1 male; stn. B1, 2 ovigerous females; stn. B3, 1 male, 1 ovigerous female; stn. B4, 1 male; stn. B6, 10 males, 2 females, 7 ovigerous females. COBERPES stn. A4, 1 female, 1 ovigerous female; stn. Ω 15, 2 males, 1 ovigerous female. COBERPES 2011 stn. D7, 1 male. COBERPES 3 stn. α 7, 1 male. COBERPES 4 stn A3, 1 ovigerous female; stn A4, 2 males, 2 ovigerous females; stn A5, 11 males, 10 females; stn B15, 1 male; stn B15B, 9 males, 1 female, 10 ovigerous females; stn C35, 1 female.

Remarks

M. robusta was commonly captured in the Gulf of Mexico from the N Carolina–Florida Straits; Gulf of Mexico (all sectors); Caribbean Sea-Colombia (Ortega-Echeverría 2014); 110–4708 m (Felder et al. 2009). In the southern part, we collected this species, off N and S of Laguna Madre (sectors WNW, WSW); Soto La Marina and San Fernando River (WSW); Mecoacán Lagoon and Tonalá River (SSW); and Cabo Catoche (ESE), from 347.0 to 953.0 m depth. This species was the most abundant of the Munidopsidae family (n = 97 individuals). Many of them were collected in the WNW sector (53.9%; 401.3–546.0 m) during autumn (52.6%; 347.0 to 577.0 m). The CL mean size of ovigerous females was larger [x = 18.4 ± 2.129 (14.0–22.6)] than males [x = 16.9 ± 1.983 (10.7–20.1)]. The males’ size was small at shallow depths and also during autumn (F(depth) = 5.434, p = 0.0037, and F(season) = 8,956, p = 0.0007) (Fig. 7a, b).

Figure 7. 

Size distribution of Munida robusta, males: a depth interval b season.

The overall sex ratio difference was not statistically different (χ2 = 0.051, p = 0.8208); as it was observed among seasons. The ovigerous females occurred in spring, summer, and autumn in a depth interval of 347.0–546.0 m. Maximum number was reported in autumn. One male (CL = 13.4 mm) was infested by bopyrid.

Munidopsis serratifrons (A. Milne-Edwards, 1880)

Material examined

BIOREPES 1 stn 28, 1 male. COBERPES 2011 stn D9, 1 male.

Remarks

This species has been reported in the Gulf of Mexico in Florida (NNW, ESE); Caribbean, Dominica, and Bermuda; 543–1967 m (Baba et al. 2008; Felder et al. 2009). Only two organisms of M. serratifrons were collected off Ría Lagartos, and Cabo Catoche, Yucatán (SSW, ESE) at a 614.0–769.0 m depth range. This species occurred in summer and spring. Male CL = 10.2, female CL = 9.8 mm.

Munidopsis serricornis (Lovén, 1852)

Material examined

BIOREPES 1 stn. 48, 2 males, 2 females, 1 ovigerous female. COBERPES 2011 stn B9, 3 males, 1 female, 1 ovigerous female, stn D9, 2 males, 4 females.

Remarks

M. serricornis has been captured off Georgia; Gulf of Mexico (sector SE); West and East Atlantic; Indo West Pacific; 10?–2165 m (Felder et al. 2009). In the present study it was only collected in front of Ría Lagartos, Yucatán (ESE). Most of the individuals were collected in spring at 769.0–1040.0 m depth. The CL size ranges were: males (6.0–12.7mm), females (6.0–10.6 mm), and ovigerous females (7.8–10.7 mm). The two ovigerous females occurred in spring and summer (1040.0 and 700.0 m depth, respectively).

Munidopsis shulerae Vázquez- Bader, Gracia & Lemaitre, 2014

Material examined

BATO stn. 15, 1 male. BIOREPES 1 stn. 55, 1 male. BIOREPES 2 stn. 25, 1 female, stn. 31, 1 female.

Remarks

This species has been reported in the northern and southern part of the Gulf of Mexico: Straits of Florida; off coast of Campeche, and the western Caribbean from 320 to 787 m (Vázquez-Bader et al. 2014). In the present study M. schulerae was collected off N Celestún, and N Alacranes, Yucatán (sector ESE) from 503 to 640 m depth. The two males analyzed had a CL size range of 6.8–10.5 and females 7.9–10.4 mm.

Munidopsis sigsbei (A. Milne-Edwards, 1880)

Material examined

BIOREPES 2 stn. 7, 1 male, stn. 8, 3 females, 1 ovigerous female, stn. 28, 1 female. COBERPES stn. B9, 1 male, 1 ovigerous female, stn. Ω10, 1 female. COBERPES 2011 stn. B9, 2 males, 1 female, 2 ovigerous females. COBERPES 3 stn. α1, 1 male. COBERPES 4 stn. A 6, 1 male, stn. B 9, 1 male, 2 ovigerous females.

Remarks

M. sigsbei presented a wide distribution: from the Gulf of Mexico to Brazil in depths of 500 to 2000 m (Kilgoure and Shriley 2014). Specimens of this study were collected in Yucatán: N Alacranes and N Celestún; Veracruz: off Coatzacoalcos River; and Tabasco: in front of San Pedro and San Pablo Rivers (sectors SSE and SSW). M. sigsbei was the third in terms of abundance (n = 19). Males had a CL range of 10.3–20.6 mm, females showed a 7.4–15.6 mm CL range, and ovigerous females a 10.8–15.3 mm CL range. Ovigerous females occurred in spring and summer.

Munidopsis simplex (A. Milne-Edwards, 1880)

Material examined

COBERPES 2011 stn. C5, 1 male.

Remarks

M. simplex, has been previously reported in all sectors of Gulf of Mexico; Caribbean Sea; Eastern Atlantic; from 116–3971 m (Felder et al. 2009); 458–1830 m (Baba et al. 2008); and 1000–3968 m (Kilgoure and Shirley 2014). Specimen in this analysis was found off Holbox Island, Yucatán (ESE) at 806 m depth. The only male (CL = 17.9 mm) was collected in spring.

Munidopsis spinoculata (A. Milne-Edwards, 1880)

Material examined

BIOREPES 1 stn. 3, 1 female. BIOREPES 3 stn. D1, 1 female. COBERPES 1 stn. Ω7, 1 male.

Remarks

The records for this species include Florida Straits; Gulf of Mexico (sectors: NNE, SW, and ESE); Caribbean Sea; 597– 1738 m (Mayo 1974). In the southern Gulf of Mexico, we collected this species off Alacranes Reef; Tamiahua Lagoon, Tamaulipas; Grijalva-Usumacinta Rivers, Tabasco (sectors WSW, SSW) from 400.4 to 750.0 m depth. The only male had 10.2 mm CL; whereas females were 10.7–11.2 mm CL, respectively.

Discussion

A total of 1513 squat lobsters were collected: Chirostylidae (n = 95), Galatheidae (n = 2), Munidopsidae (n = 285), and Munididae (n = 1131) belonging to 6 species of Chirostyloidea and 27 of Galatheoidea. The low abundance of Chirostylidae may due to its specific habitat requirements (living associated with corals and other anthozoans, further than 1000 m) that are difficult to access and sample (Pequegnat 1983; Baba 2005; Le Guilloux et al. 2010; Schnabel et al. 2011b). However, U. nitidus was the most abundant and frequent species of the family. This was previously pointed out by other studies in the Gulf of Mexico (e.g., Kilgoure and Shirley 2014). However, the scarce abundance of Galatheidae could be an artifact of depth range sampled, as G. rostrata, mainly distributes at an upper depth range (< 200 m).

A comprehensive analysis of the abundance showed that four species of the Munididae family contributed to 64.7% of the total organisms collected. These were in order of abundance: A. longipes, M. iris, M. evermanni, and M. valida. Some authors, like Creasy et al. (2000) and Kilgoure and Shirley (2014), also mentioned A. longipes as the most common and abundant species in the northern part of the Gulf of Mexico. Other species like M. robusta, M. erinacea, M. constricta, and U. nitidus, although represent a low percentage (17.7%), were a common and frequent component in the capture. The highest abundance of many species occurred in front of river mouths or lagoons, particularly in the Campeche Bank and off Alacranes Reef areas.

Galatheoid and chirostyloid species occurs in a wide bathymetrical range, 0 to 5400 m, which indicates they have overlapping depth distribution ranges (Schnabel et al. 2011b). In this study we found differences in bathymetrical distribution among the families. The Munididae were mainly found in the 300–399 m depth interval, whereas the highest abundances of Munidopsidae and Chirostylidae were present in 400–499 m and 1000–1099 m, respectively. We extend the bathymetric range for nine species (shallower and deeper). We also extend the spatial range in three species of Chirostylidae (G. salvadori, U. capillatus, and U. spiniger). We reported for the first time three species of Munidopsidae (M. bradleyi, and M. riveroi) in the Gulf of Mexico (Table 1).

Table 1.
Download as
CSV
XLSX

Chirostyloidea and Galatheoidea species distribution in Gulf of Mexico, Caribbean, and Brazil. CAR = Caribbean; BRA = Brazil; NE = Northeast (nne = north northeast, ene = east northeast); NW = Northwest (nnw = north northwest; wnw = west northwest); SE = Southeast (sse = south southeast; ese = east southeast); SW = Southwest (wsw = west south west; ssw = south southwest). 1 = New record for Gulf of Mexico; ∆ = New record for sector; + = Extension of bathymetric range.

GULF OF MEXICO CAR BRA DEPTH (m)
SPECIES NE NW SW SE
nne ene nnw wnw wsw ssw sse ese
E. picta x x x x x 200–600
G. affinis x x x 78–635
G. meridionalis x 358–800
G. salvadori 1 ∆ ∆ x 650–874 +
G. spinifer x x ∆ x x 212–2412
U. aguayoi x 528
U. armatus x 298
U. brevis x x 457–1107
U. capillatus 1 ∆ ∆ x 306–1040 +
U. fornicatus x 555.6
U. intermedius x 298
U. jamaicensis x x 677–1249
U. minutus x x x 46–137
U. nitidus x x x x x x x x x 161–1342
U. princeps x 514
U. rugosus x x 174–549
U. spiniger 1 ∆ ∆ x 708–1040 +
U. spinosus x x 265–421
U. uncifer x x ∆ x x x 155–1144 +
G. rostrata x x x x ∆ x x 18–159
A. longipes x x x x x x x x x x 40–1140 +
A. schroederi x x 274–531
A. caribensis x x 11.0–38.0
M. affinis x x x x x 42–914
M. angulata x x x x x x x x x x 24–260
M. atlantica x 58–166
M. beanii x x 39–78
M. benedicti x 174–430
M. chacei x x 393–446
M. coltroi x 240–260
M. constricta x x ∆ ∆ ∆ x x 200–549 +
M. elfina x 670
M. evermanni x ∆ ∆ ∆ x x 232–863 +
M. flinti x x x x x x x x x x 11–641
M. forceps x x x x x x x x x x 40–950
M. heblingi x 83
M. iris x x x x x x x x x x 40–1303
M. irrasa x x x x x x x x 38–914
M. media x x x 500–536
M. microphthalma x x x x x x x x x x 195–2412
M. miles x ∆ x x x 68–659
M. nuda x x 68–630
M. petronioi x 75
M. pusilla x x x x x x x x x x 7–200
M. robusta x x 298
M. santipauli x x 18–2360
M. sculpta x x 179–284
M. serrata x 329–421
M. simplex x x x x x x x x x 16–440
M. spinifrons x x x 13–260
M. stimpsoni x x x 172–897
M. striata x x 274–503
M. subcaeca x 842–1700
M. valida x x x x x x x x x x 279–2297
M. victoria x 960
G. rostrata x x x 1600–3800
G. spinosa x x x x 183–1144 +
M. agassizii x 300–1642
M. abbreviata x ∆ ∆ x x 860–1342 +
M. abdominalis x x 350–720
M. alaminos x x ∆ ∆ 428–842
M. aries x x 71–5320
M. armata ∆ ∆ x x 275–1446
M. barbarae x x x 185–200
M. bermudezi x x x 2434–5180
M. bradleyi 1 ∆ x 485–600
M. brevimanus x x 366–906
M. colombiana x 4151–4153
M. crassa x x x 1026–5315
M. cubensis x x 759–1144
M. curvisostra x 146–2430
M. erinacea x x x x x x x x x x 238–1574
M. espinis x x 779–897
M. expansa x x 457–1107
M. geyeri x x x x 2600–4151
M. gilli x x 1638–2139
M. glabra x 510–622
M. granulens x 347–353
M. gulfensis x x x 1097–1400
M. kucki 227
M. latifrons x x 677–1107
M. livida x x 2070–3496
M. longimanus x x x x x x x x 292–1281
M. nitida x x x x x 592–3968
M. penescabra x 543–807
M. platirostris x x 91–842
M. polita x x ∆ x x x x 129–1170
M. ramahtaylorae x x ∆ x 200–668
M. reynoldsi x 4086–4277
M. riveroi 1 ∆ x x 260–3822
M. robusta x x x x x x x x x 79–4708
M. serratifrons x x x 325–1966
M. serricornis x x x x 200–2165
M. sharrei x 298–454
M. shulerae x x x x x x 320–787
M. sigsbei x x x x x x x x x x 500–2000
M. similis x 1475–2438
M. simplex x x x x x x x x x 116–3971
M. spinifer x x x 203–880
M. spinoculata x x x x x x 778–1738
M. squamosa x 212–500
M. subspiniculata x x 457–823
M. transtridens x 1162–1475
M. tridens x x 380–600

Only eight species had enough number to stand statistical analyses, the rest of the species presented, each one, an abundance minor than 30 individuals. However, the ANOVA was only statistically significant for U. nitidus, A. longipes, M. constricta, M. evermanni, M. iris, and M. robusta. Males of U. nitidus and M. evermanni were larger in spring, whereas M. iris and M. robusta, were larger in autumn. In A. longipes, females presented the major size in the deeper strata, whereas in M. iris they were found in the shallower ones. Kilgour and Shirley (2014), mentioned that ovigerous females were significantly larger than females in: U. nitidus, G. spinosa, M. abbreviata, M. alaminos, M. erinacea, M. robusta, M. sigsbei, and M. simplex. In many of the species studied here, the largest ovigerous females occurred in the SSW and WSW sectors, which are subjected to the influence of rivers and lagoons.

The overall sex ratio difference was only statistical significant for two species: M. constricta and U. capillatus; while Bursey (1978); and Wenner (1982), reported significant differences in A. longipes, M. valida, M. bairdii, and M. iris.

In terms of seasonal occurrence, 58% of all species were present in summer, 30% in spring, and 12% in autumn. A high percentage of males and females (47.6%) occurred in summer, whereas ovigerous females (13.2%) occurred mainly in spring. However, ovigerous females were also collected during summer and spring, suggesting that families like Galatheoidea and Chirostyloidea do not have a marked seasonal reproduction, as pointed out by Kilgoure and Shirley (2014).

The incidence of parasitism in our study was low. Only eight species, that represents 4.7% of the total individuals of Galatheoidea were parasitized. Almost 88% of these individuals were infested by rhizocephalan barnacles, and 11% by bopyrid isopod, particularly in summer. A. longipes was the most heavily parasitized by rhizocephalan barnacles (3% of infestation incidence), all individuals were captured in only one station in the Alacranes Reef area. Pequegnat (1983) reported for this species one organism infected by bopyrid and one by rhizocephalan barnacle in the Northern Gulf of Mexico. In addition, she found other species like M. iris and M. rostrata infected with bopyirid and rhizocephalan, whereas Wenner and Windsor (1979) mentioned a 2.2–5.0% infestation incidence by bopyrid isopods in M. iris, but Williams and Brown (1972) reported 10% for the same species.

Global diversity studies of squat lobsters (Schnabel et al. 2011b) revealed that the Western Atlantic including the Caribbean, Brazil, and Gulf of Mexico, reported 10.2–12.1% of Chirostyloidea and 10.9–15.4 of Galatheoidea (Campos et al. 2005; Fierro et al. 2008; Felder et al. 2009; Kilgoure and Shirley 2014; de Melo-Filho 2006, de Melo-Filho and de Melo 2001 a, 2001 b; Navas et al. 2003; Ortega et al. 2014) (Table 1). Nevertheless, the global diversity records of these two groups are incomplete, 19–20% of Chirostylidae and 37–38% of Galatheidae species remain undescribed, particularly in tropical offshore areas (Appeltans et al. 2012). We reported 51.4% of Munidopsidae species, 33.3% of Munididae species, and 80% of Chirostylidae species known for the Gulf of Mexico. It is worth mentioning, that 13.8% of the species recorded in this study were only reported in the Caribbean Sea.

At this moment, a total of 71 species has been reported for the entire Gulf of Mexico. Munididae were dominant in the SSW sector whereas Munidopsidae and Chirostylidae were more abundant in the ESE sector. The SE sector is the most important one with 54 species, NE with 35, NW 31, and SW with 26. In terms of biodiversity of the southern Gulf of Mexico we found in our study that the subsector ESE presented the higher number of species with restricted distribution and 18.3% of the total collected were only reported here, 2.8% in the SSW, and 1.4 in WSW. In the SE sector, 80% of the chirostylids and 25.6% of the munidopsids showed higher range restrictions, compared with 14.3% of muninids. According to Felder et al. (2009) and Baba et al. (2008), the NNE, NNW, and WNW had 7.0% of species with restricted distribution, but ENE had 5.6%. The high percentage of chirostylids restricted occurrence is perhaps related to its limited dispersal potential compared to the other galatheoids (Schnabel et al. 2011b); and also with the fact, that these species could have more specific habitat, as they are predominantly associated with corals and other anthozoans (Baba 2005).

Acknowledgements

We are grateful to Magaly Galván Palmerín and staff of Laboratorio de Ecología Pesquera de Crustáceos for their assistance in field and laboratory. To Arturo Ronquillo for his assistance in echosounders. Adolfo Gracia Vázquez is greatly appreciated for his support in figures elaboration. We also appreciate Rafael Lemaitre and Mary Wicksten comments that clearly enhanced the manuscript content. We thank the crew of the R/V Justo Sierra that participated in research cruises. This study was partially supported by a grant (IN223109-3) of the Dirección General de Asuntos del Personal Académico, UNAM.

References

  • Ahyong ST, Baba K, MacPherson KE, Poore GCB (2010) A new classification of the Galatheoidea (Crustacea: Decapoda: Anomura). Zootaxa 2676: 57–68.
  • Ahyong ST, Nikos A, Taylor J (2011) Mitochondrial phylogeny of the deep-sea squat lobsters, Munidopsidae (Galatheoidea). Zoologischer Anzeiger 250: 367–377. doi: 10.1016/j.jcz.2011.06.005
  • Ahyong ST, Lowry JK, Alonso M, Bamber RN, Boxshall GA, Castro P, Gerken S, Karaman GS, Goy JW, Jones DS, Meland K, Rogers D, Svavarsson J (2011) Subphyllum Crustacea Brünich.1772. In: Zhang Z-Q (Ed.) Animal biodiversity: An outline of higher-level classification and survey of taxonomic richness.Zootaxa 3148: 165–191.
  • Ahyong ST, Schnabel KE, Maas EW (2009) Anomuran phylogeny: new insights from molecular data. In: Martin JW, Crandall KA, Felder DL (Eds) Decapod Crustacean Phylogenetics.Crustacean Issues. CRC Press, Boca Raton, London, New York, 399–414. doi: 10.1201/9781420092592-c20
  • Appeltans W, Ahyong ST, Anderson G, Angel MV, Artois T, Bailly N, Bamber R, Barber A, Berta Bartsch I, Błazewicz-Paszkowycz M, Bock P, Boxshall G, Boyko CB, Brandao NS, Bray RA, Bruce NL, Cairns SD, Chan TY, Cheng L, Collins AG, Cribb T, Curini-Galletti M, Dahdouh-Guebas F, Davie PF, Dawson MN, De Clerck O, Decock W, De Grave S, de Voogd NJ, Domning DP, Emig CC, Erseus C, Eschmeyer W, Fauchald K, Fautin DG, Feist SW, Fransen CHJM, Furuya H, Garcia-Alvarez O, Gerken S, Gibson D, Gittenberger A, Gofas S, Gómez-Daglio Liza, Gordon DP, Guiry MD, Hernandez F, Hoeksema BW, Hopcroft RR, Jaume Damia, Kirk P, Koedam N, Koenemann S, Kolb JB, Kristensen RM, Kroh A, Lambert G, Lazarus DB, Lemaitre R, Longshaw M, Lowry J, Macpherson E, Madin LP, Mah C, Mapstone G, McLaughlin PA, Mees J, Meland K, Messing CG, Mills CE, Molodtsova TN, Mooi R, Neuhaus B, Ng PK, Nielsen C, Norenburg J, Opresko DM, Osawa M, Paulay G, Perrin W, Pilger JF, Poore GCB, Pugh P, Read GB, Reimer JD, Rius M, Rocha RM, Saiz-Salinas JI, Scarabino V, Schierwater B, Schmidt-Rhaesa A, Schnabel KE, Schotte M, Schuchert P, Schwabe E, Segers H, Self-Sullivan C, Shenkar N, Siegel V, Sterrer W, Stohr S, Swalla B, Tasker ML, Thuesen EV, Timm T, Todaro MA, Turon X, Tyler S, Uetz P, van der Land J, Vanhoorne Bart, van Ofwegen LP, van Soest RWM, Vanaverbeke J, Walker-Smith G, Walter TC, Warren A, Williams GC, Wilson SP (2012) The Magnitude of Global Marine Species Diversity. Current Biology 22: 1–14. doi: 10.1016/j.cub.2012.09.036
  • Baba K (2005) Deep-sea chirostylid and galatheid crustaceans (Decapoda: Anomura) from the Indo-Pacific, with a list of species. Galathea Report 20: 1–317.
  • Baba K (2009) A new species of squat lobster (Decapoda, Anomura, Chirostylidae) from the Philippines and Indonesia. Crustaceana 82: 795–802. doi: 10.1163/156854009X427342
  • Baba K, Lin CW (2008) Five new species of chirostylid crustaceans (Crustacea: Decapoda: Anomura: Chirostylidae) from Taiwan. Zootaxa 1919: 1–24.
  • Baba K, Macpherson E, Poore GCB, Ahyong ST, Bermudez A, Cabezas P, Lin CW, Nizinski M, Rodrigues C, Schnabel KE (2008) Catalogue of squat lobsters of the world (Crustacea: Decapoda: Anomura – families Chirostylidae, Galatheidae and Kiwaidae). Zootaxa 1905: 1–220.
  • Benedict JE (1901) The anomuran collections made by the Fish Hawk Expedition to Porto Rico. Bulletin of the United States Fish Commission 20(2): 129–148. [for 1900]
  • Benedict JE (1902) Descriptions of a new genus and forty-six new species of crustaceans of the family Galatheidæ, with a list of the known marine species. Proceedings of the United States National Museum 26(1311): 243–334. doi: 10.5479/si.00963801.26-1311.243
  • Bursey CR (1978) Histopathology of the parasitization of Munida iris (Decapoda: Galatheidae) by Munidion irritans (Isopoda: Bopyridae). Bulletin of Marine Science 28(3): 566–570.
  • Campos NH, Navas GR, A Bermúdez, Cruz N (2005) Los crustáceos decápodos de la franja superior del talud continental (300–500 m) del mar Caribe colombiano. G. Andrade (ed.) Universidad Nacional de Colombia. Sede Bogotá. Instituto Nacional de Ciencias Naturales. Monografía II de la Fauna de Colombia, Bogotá, 272 pp.
  • Chace FA Jr (1939) Reports on the scientific results of the first Atlantis Expedition to the West Indies, under the joint auspices of the University of Havana and Harvard University preliminary descriptions of one new genus and seventeen new species of decapod and stomatopod Crustacea. Memorias de la Sociedad Cubana de Historia Natural 13(1): 31–54.
  • Creasey S, Rogers A, Tyler P, Gage J (2000) Genetic and morphometric comparisons of squat lobster, Munidopsis scobina (Decapoda: Anomura: Galatheidae) populations, with notes on the phylogeny of the genus Munidopsis. Deep-Sea Research II 47: 87–118. doi: 10.1016/S0967-0645(99)00098-3
  • de Melo-Filho GAS (2006) Reports on the results of the N.Oc. “Prof. W. Besnard” expeditions to the southern coast of Brazil under the Revizee Program: Chirostylidae and Galatheidae (Crustacea: Decapoda: Anomura). Zootaxa 1238: 1–22.
  • de Melo-Filho GAS, de Melo GAS (1992) Reexamination of the material of Munida Leach (Crustacea: Anomura: Galatheidae) collected by the H.M.S. “Challenger” (1872–76) along the Brazilian coast. Proceedings of the Biological Society of Washington 105(4): 760–774.
  • de Melo-Filho GAS, de Melo GAS (2001a) Espécies do gênero Munida Leach (Crustacea, Decapoda, Galatheidae), distribuídas na costa do Brasil. Revista Brasileira de Zoología 18: 1135–1176. doi: 10.1590/s0101-81752001000400013
  • de Melo-Filho GAS, de Melo GAS (2001b) Espécies do gênero Munida Leach (Crustacea, Decapoda, Galatheidae) coletadas entre Torres (Rio Grande do Sul, Brasil) e Maldonado (Uruguai) pelo Programa Rio Grande do Sul (PRS I-II, GEDIP). Revista Brasileira de Zoología 18: 1177–1196. doi: 10.1590/s0101-81752001000400014
  • Escobar-Briones E, Gaytán A, Legendre P (2008) Epibenthic megacrustaceans from the continental margin, slope and abyssal plain of the southwestern Gulf of Mexico: Factors responsible for variability in species composition and diversity. Deep-Sea Research II 55: 2667–2678.
  • Felder DL, Camp DK, Tunnell JW (2009) An introduction to Gulf of Mexico biodiversity assessment. In: Felder DL, Camp DK (Eds) Gulf of Mexico Origin, Waters, and Biota Volume 1, Biodiversity. Texas A&M University Press, College Station, 1–13.
  • Fierro RM, Navas GR, Bermúdez A (2008) Lista de chequeo de las familias Galatheidae y Chirostylidae (Crustacea: Decapoda: Anomura) del neotrópico. Biota Colombiana 9(1): 1–20.
  • Gracia A, Vázquez-Bader AR, Lozano-Álvarez E, Briones-Fourzán P (2010) Deep-water shrimps (Crustacea: Penaeoidea) off the Yucatán peninsula (southern Gulf of Mexico): a potential fishing resource? Journal of Shellfish Research 29(1): 37–43. doi: 10.2983/035.029.0124
  • Haworth AH (1825) A new binary arrangement of the macrurous Crustacea. The Philosophical Magazine and Journal 65: 183–184.
  • Huguet C, Maynou F, Abelló P (2005) Small scale distribution characteristics of Munida spp. populations (Decapoda: Anomura) off the Catalan coasts (western Mediterranean). Journal of Sea Research 53: 283–296. doi: 10.1016/j.seares.2004.11.001
  • Kassuga ADI, Tereza CG, Silva-Ferreiram G, Ostrovski MC, Tarso MMC (2008) Population structure of Munida microphthalma Leach (Crustacea: Decapoda: Galatheidae) from the northern coast of Rio de Janeiro State, Brazil. Pan-American Journal of Aquatic Sciences 3(2): 116–121.
  • Kilgour MJ, Shirley TC (2014) Reproductive biology of galatheoid and chirostyloid (Crustacea: Decapoda) squat lobsters from the Gulf of Mexico. Zootaxa 3754(4): 381–419. doi: 10.11646/zootaxa.3754.4.3
  • Konishi K, Saito T (2000) Larvae of the deep-sea squat lobsters, Agononida incerta (Henderson, 1888) and Munida striola Macpherson and Baba, 1993 with notes on larval morphology of the family (Crustacea: Anomura: Galatheidae). Zoological Science 17: 1021–1029. doi: 10.2108/zsj.17.1021
  • Le Guilloux E, Hall-Spencer JM, Söffker MK, Olu K (2010) Association between the squat lobster Gastroptychus formosus and cold-water corals in the North Atlantic. Journal of the Marine Biological Association of the United Kingdom 90(7): 1363–1369. doi: 10.1017/S0025315410000524
  • Lovén S (1852) De svenska arterna af slägtet Galathea. Ofversigt af Konglige Vetenskaps-Akademiens Förhandlingar 9: 20–23.
  • Macpherson E, Jones W, Segonzac M (2005) A new squat lobster family of Galatheoidea (Crustacea, Decapoda, Anomura) from the hydrothermal vents of the Pacific-Antarctic Ridge. Zoosystema 27(4): 709–723.
  • Maiorano P, Capezzuto Ll, Sion D’Onghia G, Tursi A (2013) Spatio-temporal changes of Munida rutllanti Zariquiey-Alvarez, 1952 (Decapoda: Galatheidae) in the northwestern Ionian Sea (Central Mediterranean). Mediterranean Marine Science 14/3: 42–48. doi: 10.12681/mms.619
  • Mayo BS (1974) The systematics and distribution of the deep-sea genus Munidopsis (Crustacea, Galatheidae) in the Western Atlantic Ocean. Unpublished Ph.D. dissertation, University of Miami, Coral Gables, Florida, 432 pp.
  • Milne-Edwards A (1880) Reports on the results of dredging, under the supervision of Alexander Agassiz, in the Gulf of Mexico, and in the Caribbean Sea, 1877, ’78, ’79, by the United States Coast Survey Steamer “Blake,” Lieut.-Commander C.D. Sigsbee, U.S.N., and Commander J.R. Bartlett, U.S.N., commanding. VIII. Études préliminaires sur les crustacés. Bulletin of the Museum of Comparative Zoölogy at Harvard College 8(1): 1–68.
  • Milne-Edwards A, Bouvier EL (1900) Crustacés décapodes. Première partie. Brachyures et Anomoures. In: Milne-Edwards A (Ed.) Expéditions scientifiques du Travailleur et du Talisman pendant les années 1880, 1881, 1882, 1883. Masson, Paris, 1–396.
  • Miyake S, Baba K (1970) The CrustaceaGalatheidae from the tropical-subtropical region of West Africa, with a list of the known species. Atlantide Report 11: 61–97.
  • Navas GR, Bermúdez A, Cruz N, Campos NH (2003) Galatéideos (Decapoda, Anomura, Galatheidae) del Caribe colombiano, incluyendo doce primeros registros. Boletín Investigaciones Marinas y Costeras 32: 183–218.
  • Ortega-Echeverría C, Bermúdez A, Navas G (2014) Presencia de Munidopsis robusta en el Caribe colombiano (A. Milne-Edwards, 1880) (Crustacea: Anomura: Munidopsidae). Universitas Scientiarum 19(1): 43–49. doi: 10.11144/Javeriana.SC19-1.pmrc
  • Ortmann AE (1892) Die Decapoden-Krebse des Strassburger Museums, mit besonderer Berücksichtigung der von Herrn Dr. Döderlein bei Japan und bei den Liu-Kiu-Inseln gesammelten und zur Zeit im Strassburger Museum aufbewahrten Formen. IV. Die Abtheilungen Galatheidea und Paguridea. Zoologische Jahrbücher, Abtheilung für Systematik, Geographie und Biologie der Thiere 6: 241–326. doi: 10.5962/bhl.part.26455
  • Ortmann AE (1898) Gliedierfüssler: Arthropoda. In: Gerstäcker A, Ortmann AE (Eds) Dr. H.G. Bronn’s Klassen und Ordnungen des Thier-Reichs, wissenschaftlich dargestellt in Wort und Bild. Bd. V, Abt. 2 (Crustacea), 2 Hälfte (Malacostraca), 1057–1168.
  • Pequegnat WE (1983) The ecological communities of the continental slope and adjacent regimes of the northern Gulf of Mexico. Metairie, LA: A final report by TerEco Corporation for the U.S. Department of the Interior, Minerals Management Service Gulf of Mexico OCS Office, 379 pp.
  • Pequegnat LH, Pequegnat WE (1970) Deep-sea anomurans of Superfamily Galatheoidea with descriptions of three new species. In: Pequegnat WE, Chace Jr FA (Eds) Contributions on the Biology of the Gulf of Mexico. Texas A & M University, College Station, 59–123.
  • Pequegnat LH, Pequegnat WE (1971) New species and new record of Munidopsis (Decapoda: Galatheidae) from the Gulf of Mexico and Caribbean Sea. (Supplement to Texas A & M University Oceanographic Studies, Volume 1). Gulf Publishing Co., Houston, 125–170.
  • Rice AL, Miller JE (1991) Chirostylid and galatheid crustaceans associates of coelenterates and echinoderms collected from the Johnson-Sea-Link submersible, including a new species of Gastroptychus. Proceedings of the Biological Society of Washington 104(2): 299–308.
  • Samouelle G (1819) The entomologists’ useful compendium; or an introduction to the knowledge of British Insects, comprising the best means of obtaining and preserving them, and a description of the apparatus generally used; together with the genera of Linné, and modern methods of arranging the Classes Crustacea, Myriapoda, spiders, mites and insects, from their affinities and structure, according to the views of Dr. Leach. Also an explanation of the terms used in entomology; a calendar of the times of appearance and usual situations of near 3,000 species of British Insects; with instructions for collecting and fitting up objects for the microscope. Thomas Boys, London, 496 pp.
  • Schnabel KE, Ahyong ST (2010) A new classification of the Chirostyloidea (Crustacea: Decapoda: Anomura). Zootaxa 2687: 56–64.
  • Schnabel KE, Ahyong ST, Maas EW (2011a) Galatheoidea are not monophyletic — Molecular and morphological phylogeny of the squat lobsters (Decapoda: Anomura) with recognition of a new superfamily. Molecular Phylogenetics and Evolution 58: 157–168. doi: 10.1016/j.ympev.2010.11.011
  • Schnabel KE, Cabezas P, McCallum A, Macpherson E, Ahyong ST, Baba K (2011b) Chapter 6. World-wide distribution patterns of squat lobsters. In: Poore GCB, Ahyong ST, and Taylor J (Eds) The biology of squat lobsters. CSIRO Publishing, Melbourne, 363 pp.
  • Smith SI (1883) Preliminary report on the Brachyura and Anomura dredged in deep water off the south coast of New England by the United States Fish Commission in 1880, 1881, and 1882. Proceedings of the United States National Museum 6: 1–57. doi: 10.5479/si.00963801.6-343.1
  • Sokal RR, Rohlf FJ (1995) Biometry. W.A. Freeman & Co, San Francisco, 776 pp.
  • Vázquez-Bader AR, Gracia A (2013) Crangonidae and Glyphocrangonidae (Decapoda; Caridea) of the southern Gulf of Mexico. Zootaxa 3669(3): 367–383. doi: 10.11646/zootaxa.3669.3.10
  • Vázquez-Bader AR, Gracia A, Lemaitre R (2014) A new species of Munidopsis Whiteaves, 1874 (Crustacea: Anomura: Galatheoidea: Munidopsidae) from the Gulf of Mexico and Caribbean Sea. Zootaxa 3821(3): 354–362. doi: 10.11646/zootaxa.3821.3.4
  • Wenner EL (1982) Notes on the distribution and biology of Galatheidae and Chirostylidae (Decapoda: Anomura) from the Middle Atlantic Bight. Journal of Crustacean Biology 2: 360–377. doi: 10.2307/1548053
  • Wenner EL, Windsor NT (1979) Parasitism of galatheid crustaceans from the Norfolk Canyon and Middle Atlantic Bight by bopyrid isopods. Crustaceana 37(3): 293–303. doi: 10.1163/156854079X00618
  • Williams AB, Brown WS (1972) Notes on structure and parasitism of Munida iris A. Milne-Edwards (Decapoda: Galatheidae) from North Carolina, U.S.A. Crustaceana 22: 303–308. doi: 10.1163/156854072X00598
login to comment