Bruno Welter Giraldes

Composition and spatial distribution of subtidal decapoda on the "Reef Coast", northeastern Brazil, evaluated through a low-impact visual census technique

This study investigated the composition and spatial distribution of the sublittoral decapods on the reefs of Porto de Galinhas Beach, southern coast of Pernambuco, Brazil, through the Underwater Visual Census technique. Data were collected monthly, at night during full-moon tides in low tide periods from June 2004 to May 2005, using SCUBA diving and a visual census with a fixed belt transect (20 m long). Three sampling areas were defined: Confined Waters (low hydrodynamics) with shallow sites (up to 2.5 m deep); Semi-open Water (3 to 6 m deep), influenced by waves and tidal currents (moderate hydrodynamics); and Open Water (7 to 10 m deep), in the breaker zone (high hydrodynamics). A total of 6,287 individuals of 34 species belonging to the infraorders Brachyura (19 species), Achelata and Anomura (5 species each), Caridea (3 species), and Stenopodidea and Astacidea (1 species each) were collected. Two decapod assemblages were distinguished: in a habitat with low hydrodynamics and shallow (Confined) water; and in a habitat with moderate to high hydrodynamics and depths of 3 to 10 m (Semi-open and Open water). At the sites with high hydrodynamics, i.e., the Open-water Area in the breaker zone, decapod diversity was significantly lower than in the other, protected areas on the reef bench. These results suggest that the distribution of subtidal decapods on coastal reefs is influenced by depth and exposure to water stress caused by waves and currents (hydrodynamics). The visual census technique with SCUBA proved to be suitable for ecological studies on subtidal decapods.

Recognizing Panulirus meripurpuratus sp. nov. (Decapoda: Palinuridae) in Brazil-Systematic and biogeographic overview of Panulirus species in the Atlantic Ocean.

Genetic analysis divides Panulirus argus into two different species, physically separated by the Amazon-Orinoco plume since the Last Glacial Maximum. Panulirus argus sensu stricto is distributed north of this biogeographic barrier and the second species to the south, occurring in Brazil. The Panulirus species in the Atlantic Ocean are being overfished and the standing stocks are unknown and still not considered endangered or threatened due to a deficiency of precise abundance data. The lack of data makes it impossible to undertake an effective conservation and management policy. In order to assist in the future management and conservation of the Spiny Lobster in the Atlantic Ocean and particularly for the indigenous species from Brazilian waters, this study formally recognizes and describes a new species, Panulirus meripurpuratus sp. nov., for what was previously known as P. argus in Brazilian waters, and differentiates it from Panulirus argus from North American waters and the Caribbean Sea. The work also presents an overview of the biogeographic distribution of the species and presents two identification keys to Atlantic species, one based on morphology and the other on live colouration.

Benthic surveys of the historic pearl oyster beds of Qatar reveal a dramatic ecological change

The study aimed to confirm the presence of historic oyster banks of Qatar and code the biotopes present. The research also collated historical records and scientific publications to create a timeline of fishery activity. The oyster banks where once an extremely productive economic resource however, intense overfishing, extreme environmental conditions and anthropogenic impacts caused a fishery collapse. The timeline highlighted the vulnerability of ecosystem engineering bivalves if overexploited. The current status of the oyster banks meant only one site could be described as oyster dominant. This was unexpected as the sites were located in areas which once supported a highly productive oyster fishery. The research revealed the devastating effect that anthropogenic impacts can have on a relatively robust marine habitat like an oyster bed and it is hoped these findings will act as a driver to investigate and map other vulnerable habitats within the region before they too become compromised.

Extending the southern range of four shrimps (Crustacea: Decapoda: Stenopodidae, Hippolytidae and Alpheidae) in southwestern Atlantic (27 o S) and confirming the presence of Mediterranean Stenopus spinosus Risso, 1827 in Brazil

In subtidal zones, certain shrimp species with cryptic behaviour represent a gap in the biodiversity description in many places in the world. This study extends the southern limit of Stenopus hispidus (Oliver, 1811), Alpheus formosus Gibbes, 1850, Alpheus cf. packardii Kingsley, 1880 and Lysmata ankeri Rhyne & Lin, 2006 to Santa Catarina State-Brazil, 27oS. The results also confirm the new occurrence of Stenopus spinosus Risso, 1827 in Brazilian waters. All specimens were collected by scuba diving from rocky islands between 3 and 25 meters depth. We present for each species certain taxonomic features in colour images that will help to identify these decapods in situ in further monitoring programs.

Confirmation of the presence of Janicea antiguensis (Chace, 1972) (Decapoda: Barbouriidae) in northeastern and eastern Brazil

The barbouriid shrimp Janicea antiguesis (Chace, 1972) is reported from Porto de Galinhas and Tamandare in Pernambuco and Guarapari in Espirito Santo, Brazil. These records confirm the presence of J. antiguensis in northeastern and eastern Brazil, considerably extending its Brazilian range from Fernando de Noronha to southern Espirito Santo and also representing the first record of this species from mainland coastal reefs. In Brazil, J. antiguensis occurs in or near marine reef caves, typically at depths between 5 and 15 m, and can be most easily observed while scuba diving at night. Colour photographs of J. antiguensis from various Atlantic localities are provided and its colour pattern is compared to that of the closely related Indo-West Pacific barbouriid shrimp, Parhippolyte misticia (Clark, 1989). Some in situ observations are provided for the Porto de Galinhas population of J. antiguensis. Multiple observations of pairs with both individuals brooding embryos at different developmental stages suggest protandric simultaneous hermaphroditism in J. antiguensis.

The nocturnal zonation of decapods in the subtidal zone within the reef seascape—abiotic factors defining habitats

the reef seascape—abiotic factors defining habitats Bruno Welter Giraldes,* Petrônio Alves Coelho Filho, David M. Smyth, and Petrônio Alves Coelho Environmental Science Center (ESC), Qatar University (QU). Al Hala St 2713, Doha, Qatar Laborat orio de Carcinologia, Museu Oceanogr afico “Dr. Petrônio Alves Coelho”, Departamento de Oceanografia, Universidade Federal de Prnambuco (UFPE). Avenida Arquitetura, s/n, Cidade Universit aria, Recife, PE, Brasil Departamento de Engenharia de Pesca, Universidade Federal de Alagoas. Avenida Divaldo Suruagy, s/n, Centro, Penedo, AL, Brasil *Corresponding author: tel: þ974-4403-6859; fax þ974-4403-3940; e-mail: bweltergiraldes@qu.edu.qa. Deceased.

Lysmata arvoredensis nov. sp. a new species of shrimp from the south coast of Brazil with a key to species of Lysmata (Caridea: Lysmatidae) recorded in the southwestern Atlantic

Lysmata arvoredensis sp. nov. inhabits temperate waters in the south coast of Brazil and is named in tribute to the Marine Protected Area REBIO Arvoredo. This is the fourth species belonging to the genus Lysmata recorded for the region and the ninth for Brazil. L. arvoredensis sp. nov. can be distinguished from other species of Lysmata by the presence of a nearly completely fused accessory branch with a single free unguiform segment on the outer antennular flagellum; a rostrum with seven dorsal (2+5) and three ventral teeth; a stylocerite with a pointed tip bearing mesial setae; a second pereiopod with 22–24 carpal subsegments and 14–16 subsegments in the merus; a merus of the third pereiopod with five ventrolateral and 12 ventral spines on the propodus; and its color pattern, with red bands and patches in pleonites 2–3 that resemble a mask in dorsal view. Molecular characters demonstrate that L. arvoredensis sp. nov. is most closely related to other species of Lysmata belonging to the Neotropical and Cleaner clades. To support future ecological studies in the region, identification keys to the species of Lysmata recorded in the southwestern Atlantic Ocean are provided.

A new species of leucosiid crab (Decapoda: Brachyura: Leucosiidae) from the Arabian Gulf

The Indo-West Pacific genus Coleusia Galil 2006, was recently described and now comprises seven species. We describe a new species from the western Arabian Gulf, Coleusia janani n. sp. The new species is closely related to the congener C. biannulata (Tyndale-Biscoe & George, 1962), and can be distinguished from other species at these genus congeners mainly by the straight upward apical shape of the male first pleopod (G1). An updated identification key to the species of Coleusia, as well as an overview of the geographical distribution of the species included in the genus are also presented.