Fúlvio Aurélio de Morais Freire

Chave ilustrada para identificação dos camarões dendrobranchiata do litoral norte do estado de São Paulo, Brasil

This study aimed to provide an illustrated identification key to distinguish Dendrobranchiata marine shrimps which, occur in the littoral north Sao Paulo State as deep as to 40m. A total of 13 species were captured using a shrimp fishery boat with two double-rig nets. Monthly trawlings were carried out from 1995 to 2000 in the region of Ubatuba, SP. This key includes the commercial value of species such as the penaeids Xiphopenaeus kroyeri, Farfantepenaeus brasiliensis, F. paulensis, Litopenaeus schmitti, Artemesia longinaris and the solenocerids Pleoticus muelleri. In addition to these species, shrimps that are not of commercial interest were also include such as Rimapenaeus constrictus, Acetes americanus, Peisos petrunkevitchi and the sicionids Sicyonia dorsalis, S. typica, S. laevigata and S. parri. The key proposed here might facilitate the identification of Dendrobranchiata shrimps by a variety of users, including scientific researchers as well as people responsible for making the laws that regulate fisheries, principally in the protection period.

Relative growth and sexual maturity of the stone crab Menippe nodifrons Stimpson, 1859 (Brachyura, Xanthoidea) in southeastern Brazil

The relative growth and size at onset of morphological sexual maturity of the stone crab Menippe nodifrons were investigated. A total of 399 crabs was captured on Praia Grande and Tenorio beaches at Ubatuba. Carapace width (CW) and length, cheliped propodus length and height, abdomen width in females, and gonopod length in males were recorded. In females, the abdominal width showed negative allometry for juveniles and positive allometry for adults; the puberty molt occurred at 31.6 mm CW. In males, the size at onset of morphological sexual maturity was estimated as 29.7 mm CW; the gonopod growth showed positive allometry for juveniles, and an isometric relationship for adults. The gonopod length and the abdominal width were the most appropriate morphometric variables to estimate size at onset of sexual maturity in this stone crab.

Spatial and temporal distribution of the shrimp Nematopalaemon schmitti (Decapoda: Caridea: Palaemonidae) at a subtropical enclosed bay in South America

NEBECC (Crustacean Biology,Ecology and Culture Study Group) Departamento de Zoologia Universidade Estadual Paulista, Botucatu, SP 18.618.000

Ambidexter symmetricus Manning & Chace, 1971 (Decapoda, Processidae): first record for Rio Grande do Norte and overview of the species distribution on the Brazilian coast

We present the first record of Ambidexter symmetricus Manning & Chace, 1971 for the state of Rio Grande do Norte, northeastern Brazil, filling a distribution gap of this species in the country. We confirm the preference of this species for seagrass meadows in the Curimataú river estuary. Lastly, a brief overview and an updated distribution map for the records of this species on the Brazilian coast are provided.

New record of the Six-holed Keyhole Urchin, Leodia sexiesperforata (Leske, 1778) (Clypeasteroida, Mellitidae), from the Brazilian coast, with an updated distribution map

A new record of Leodia sexiesperforata is reported from the coast of Rio Grande do Norte state, northeastern Brazil. An updated distribution map based on data collected from literature, museums, and scientific collections is also presented. This new report fills a distribution gap on the coast of northeastern Brazil. Leodia sexiesperforata has a continuous range between the states of Ceará and Alagoas.