Christopher W. Ashelby

Regional scale speciation reveals multiple invasions of freshwater in Palaemoninae (Decapoda)

Ashelby, C.W., Page, T.J., De Grave, S., Hughes, J.M. & Johnson, M.L. (2012) Regional scale speciation reveals multiple invasions of freshwater in Palaemoninae (Decapoda). —Zoologica Scripta, 41, 293–306.

A re-appraisal of the systematic status of selected genera in Palaemoninae (Crustacea: Decapoda: Palaemonidae)

Recent phylogenetic work (Ashelby et al., 2012) has demonstrated the need for a fresh appraisal of the systematic status of some Palaemoninae genera. In the present contribution the accumulated morphological as well as molecular evidence is reviewed. The genera Palaemonetes, Exopalaemon and Coutierella are demonstrated to be junior synonyms of Palaemon, which now contains 83 species. As a result of this systematic re-arrangement, two replacement names are needed. Palaemon kwantung nom. nov. now replaces Exopalaemon guangdongensis Guo, Wang & Zhang, 2005, nec Palaemon guangdongensis Liu, Liang & Yan, 1990. Palaemon mundusnovus nom. nov. is the replacement name for Palaemonetes intermedius Holthuis, 1949, nec Palaemon intermedius (Stimpson, 1860).

Preliminary observations on the mandibles of palaemonoid shrimp (Crustacea: Decapoda: Caridea: Palaemonoidea)

The mandibles of caridean shrimps have been widely studied in the taxonomy and functional biology of the group. Within the Palaemonoidea the mandibles reach a high level of structural diversity reflecting the diverse lifestyles within the superfamily. However, the majority of studies have been restricted to light microscopy, with the ultrastructure at finer levels poorly known. This study investigates the mandible of nine species belonging to six of the recognised families of the Palaemonoidea using SEM and analyses the results in a phylogenetic and dietary framework. The results of the study indicate that little phylogenetic information is conveyed by the structure of the mandible, but that its form is influenced by primary food sources of each species. With the exception of Anchistioides antiguensis, all species examined possessed cuticular structures at the distal end of the pars molaris (molar process). Five types of cuticular structures are recognised herein, each with a unique form, but variable in number, placement and arrangement. Each type is presumed to have a different function which is likewise related to diet.

First record of Palaemonetes mesopotamicus Pesta, 1913 (Decapoda: Palaemonidae) from Turkey

Authors’ addresses: Shalva Barjadze and Maka Murvanidze, Entomology and Biocontrol Research Centre, Agrarian University of Georgia, 13 km. of David Aghmashenebeli Alley, 0131, Tbilisi, Georgia. – Hans-Jürgen Schulz and Ulrich Burkhardt, Senckenberg Museum of Natural History, PO Box 300154, 02806, Görlitz, Germany. – Mikhail B. Potapov, Moscow State Pedagogical University, Department of Zoology and Ecology, Kibalchicha str. 6, 129278, Moscow, Russia. – E-mail: shalva1980@yahoo.com.

Notes on some shrimp species (Decapoda: Caridea) from Qatar, with an annotated checklist of marine caridean species known from the Persian Gulf

The present contribution reports on a small collection of caridean shrimps from Qatar. Six species are reported upon, three of which are new additions to the caridean fauna of the Persian Gulf, also representing the first records for the crangonid genus Philocheras and the family Pandalidae from the area. An annotated checklist of species known to date from the Persian Gulf is provided, totalling 59 species.

Evidence for the invasion and successful establishment of Hemigrapsus takanoi Asakura & Watanabe, 2005 (Decapoda, Varunidae) in Great Britain

Following the recent discovery of the brush-clawed shore crab, Hemigrapsus takanoi Asakura & Watanabe, 2005, in Great Britain, new data are presented here on the occurrence of this species from additional locations, five in north Kent and one in Suffolk. This study provides significant evidence to suggest that in Suffolk the species has become well established and now forms a large reproducing population. A new earliest date for introduction of the species to Great Britain is given and the possible vectors involved at the various localities in the SE of England are discussed. Management and eradication of H. takanoi from this area are now considered to be unfeasible. The future spread and potential impact of H. takanoi in Great Britain should be carefully monitored.

Notes on the shrimp genus Palaemon Weber, 1795 (Crustacea, Decapoda, Palaemonidae) and related genera from Taiwan

The shrimp genus Palaemon Weber, 1795 and its related genera in Taiwan are reviewed based on newly collected specimens, whilst older records are critically reviewed. Five genera and 11 species are now known to occur in Taiwan, although there are no recent records for Palaemon modestus (Heller, 1862), which could be nationally extinct. The records of P. debilis Dana, 1852 and Nematopalaemon tenuipes (Henderson, 1893) in Taiwan are confirmed. Three genera, namely Brachycarpus Spence Bate, 1888, Leander Desmarest, 1849 and Leandrites Holthuis, 1950, each with one species are reported for the first time from Taiwan.