Martin Lindsey Christoffersen

A CLADISTIC APPROACH TO RELATIONSHIPS IN PENTASTOMIDA

The positioning of the Pentastomida among the Metazoa has provoked many debates up to the present. On the other hand, the internal relationships among the pentastomid subgroups have received much less attention in the past. We provide the first phylogenetic analyses under Hennigian principles. Thirty-two morphological characters were selected from the primary literature, analyzed manually, and then with the program Hennig86. Four most parsimonious trees were obtained; these were analyzed by successive weighting and reduced to 1 consensus cladogram 380 steps long, with a consistency index of 0.98 and a retention index of 0.99. Characters were also analyzed as unordered, producing results that were congruent with the previous analyses. The internal groups were ordered according to the following system: (Heymnonsicambria + Haffnericambria + Backlericambria (Cephalobaenida (Railietiellida nov. (Reighardiida nov. (Porocephalida (Linguatuloidea (Linguatulidae + Subtriquetridae) + Porocephaloidea (Sebekidae + Porocephalidae))))))). This phylogenetic system is largely congruent with the first modern taxonomic arrangement proposed for the Pentastomida.

PHYLOGENETIC RELATIONSHIPS OF HIPPOLYTID GENERA, WITH AN ASSIGNMENT OF NEW FAMILIES FOR THE CRANGONOIDEA AND ALPHEOIDEA (CRUSTACEA, DECAPODA, CARIDEA)

A manual cladistic analysis of the unnamed monophyletic taxon Alpheoidea plus Crangonoidea produced a cladogram containing 36 terminal taxa and 185 characters. The genealogical relationships of most of the 35 genera presently classified under the Hippolytidae have been resolved. Ten of these genera have been transferred, with the Processidae, from the Alpheoidea to the Crangonoidea. The concept of the Hippolytidae Bate, 1888 has been considerably restricted, the available names Lysmatidae Dana, 1852, Thoridae Kingsley, 1878, Hippolytinae Bate, 1888, and Latreutinae Ortmann, 1896 have been invalidated, and the new, family group names Barbouridae, Nauticarididae, Alopidae, and Bythocarididae are proposed. The traditional practice of naming monotypic taxa of suprageneric level has been avoided, yet all genealogical information indicated in the cladogram can be retrieved from the final classification proposed here for the Crangonoidea and Alpheoidea.

Polychaeta, Annelida, and Articulata are not monophyletic: articulating the Metameria (Metazoa, Coelomata)

Polychaetes are metameric worms recognized for having parapodia, chaetae, and nuchal organs. Some authors have extended the Annelida to include Pogonophora, Echiura, and Clitellata. These suggestions are insufficient to generate a monophyletic group. They do not take into account two very large and important clades that in a cladistic analysis at a higher level are shown to be nested within the Annelida: the Ecdysozoa (arthropods and related taxa) and Enterocoela (deuterostomes and related taxa). Evolutionary histories of most characters across metazoan phyla are still very poorly known. Metameres and coeloms have been considered homoplastic in the literature, and yet the homeobox genes responsible for the expression of metamerism and of paired appendages, at least, are very largely distributed among the Metazoa. A phylogenetic analysis was performed for the ingroups of Polychaeta, including Clitellata, Enterocoela, and Ecdysozoa as terminal taxa. The remaining non-metameric phyla Platyhelminthes, Nemertea, Mollusca, and Sipuncula were included to root the tree within the Bilateria. Empirical data was obtained from the literature and run with the software Hennig86 with two comparative interpretations of a priori hypotheses of primary homology: one with negative characters (coding losses) and another considering only positive characters (without assumptions about losses). The most relevant conclusions are: (1) Annelida and Polychaeta are non-monophyletic, even when including Echiura, Clitellata, and Pogonophora; (2) Articulata, as traditionally circumscribed for Annelida and Arthropoda, is also not monophyletic; (3) Metameria becomes monophyletic only when Ecdysozoa and Enterocoela are included in addition to the traditional annelid taxa; (4) Ecdysozoa are the sister group of Aphrodita; (5) Clitellata are related to deposit-feeding sedentary polychaetes (scolecids), and Questidae represent their sister group; (6) Owenia plus Enterocoela form a monophyletic group related to the tubicolous polychaetes.

Population biology of Callinectes danae and Callinectes sapidus (Crustacea: Brachyura: Portunidae) in the south-western Atlantic

The capture of crabs of the genus Callinectes is one of the oldest extractive activities practised by waterside communities, due to the abundance of brachyurans along the Brazilian coast. The present paper aimed to provide basic information on the population biology of C. sapidus and C. danae during the period of December 2003 to November 2004, in Babitonga Bay, Joinville, Santa Catarina. The size of the first maturation of C. danae was estimated as 7.1 cm in total carapace width for females, and as 8.6 cm for males. Fecundity of the 20 females of C. danae with carapace width from 7.0 to 11.0 cm varied from 618,667 to 811,267 eggs. Fecundity of C. sapidus was higher, with a median of 978,000 eggs per female, but carapace widths in this species were also larger, with the highest frequency of females attaining 19.01 cm on average. In both species, a tendency was observed for the egg mass to increase with size of females. The capture per unit of effort presented the lowest values in summer, while the largest values occurred from March, August and November. A total of 80 males and 127 females of C. sapidus were captured in the four collecting areas, with the largest abundances in Area III (45.18%), followed by Areas II, IV and I. The size of the first maturation of C. sapidus was estimated as 10.2 cm for females and as 9.0 cm for males. Fishing effort was in relative equilibrium for adult stock (males = 58.75% and females = 52.99%) and juveniles (males = 41.25% and females = 47.01%). The largest monthly rates of biomass of C. sapidus occurred from April to November, with a peak of capture in August, without significant differences in the participation of males and females.

Bioecology of the ghost crab Ocypode quadrata (Fabricius, 1787) (Crustacea: Brachyura) compared with other intertidal crabs in the southwestern Atlantic.

ABSTRACT Data sets on the natural dynamics of beach ecosystems arc scarce and fragmentary. Such data arc necessary for implementing more efficient monitoring programs that quantify the dynamics of key ecological attributes on sandy beaches. This article contributes to the bioecology of ghost crabs from subtropical Praia Brava, Itajaí, Santa Catarina. Ocypode quadrata occurs in sandy beaches along the tropical-temperate western Atlantic, from Rhode Island (US) to Rio Grande do Sul (Brazil). During 14 consecutive months, a total of 649 specimens were captured: 255 females (39%), 241 males (37%), and 153 juveniles of undetermined sex (24%). Highest densities were recorded in June and November, with a total of 1,900 burrows distributed along the beach (56.95%) and dunes (43.05%). Sixteen natural diet items were identified for this crab, with a larger participation of Apis spp. (38.97% of relative volume). In the local food web, the ground-burrowing owl Speotyto cunicularia was the main crab predator. This article indicates that the ghost crab represented the second most consumed food item of the owl (29.24%), only surpassed by rodent remains, which occupied 50.32% of its stomach volume. The natural diet and the main predator of the ghost crab had not been observed along the coast of Brazil. Knowledge of natural diet is fundamental for understanding distribution patterns, migrations, and molting cycles. Further information on population structure (abundance peaks in spring and summer; a negative allometric growth pattern), spatial distribution (predominance of females in August and May, and of males in July; size of specimens increases toward higher intertidal levels), sexual proportion throughout the year (reproduction is continuous), form and disposition of burrows (reduced abundance toward the higher tidal levels), and relative importance for the diet of the main predator (both predator and prey arc nocturnal) may be used as instruments for evaluating the occupational impact and for conserving natural dune and beach environments along sandy beach ecosystems. In conclusion, ghost crabs provide an alternative source of food for the ground-burrowing owl, a predator that may represent an important population controlling factor, other than the human-induced impacts on sandy beaches. Although burrowing crabs are the most conspicuous and ecologically important invertebrates of intertidal beaches along tropical and temperate regions, factors that regulate abundance arc still controversial, whereas the biotic community interactions in sandy beaches remain barely known.

PHYLOGENY AND CLASSIFICATION OF THE PANDALOIDEA (CRUSTACEA, CARIDEA)

Abstract— A manual cladistic analysis, subsequently expanded with a PAUP computer analysis, was performed on 21 genera of the monophyletic taxon Pandaloidea. Morphological data were obtained from the literature for 146 of the 152 known species‐group taxa and from specimens belonging to 11 genera and 15 species—those of Pantomus parvulus extending the known range from the North Western Atlantic to Uruguay. The taxon Physetocaridoidca was synonymized with Pandaloidea, and the genus Pandalopsis with “Pandalus”. I have rejected reversal hypotheses indicated by the computer for four transformation series and chosen a final cladogram of slightly different topology which is six steps longer than the shortest tree. The cladogram for 20 terminal taxa is based on 108 apomorphic characters, resolved into 155 steps (72 synapomorphies and 83 homoplasies and reversals). The following sequenced phylogenctic classification is proposed: Pandaloidea; Pandalidae; Pantominae subfam.n.; Notopandalus [N. magnoculus]; Peripandalus [P. serratus]; Pantomus; P. ajfinis; P. parvulus; Pandalinae; Austropandalini trib.n.; Austropandalus [A. grayi]; Pandalina; P. brevirostris; P. profunda; Pandalini; Dichdopandalus; D. bonnieri; D. leptorerus; Pandalus: “Plcsionikidae” [“Plesionika”]; Heterocarpidae [Heterocarpus]; Heterocarpoididae fam.n. [Heterocarpoides] [H. levicarina]; Dorodoteidae fam.n. [Dorodotes] [D. reflexus]; Thalassocarididae; Chlorotocus; C. crassicornis; C. novaezelandiae; Chlorotocoides [C. spinicauda]; Thalassocaris;, T. obscura; T. crimia; T. lucida; Physetocandidae; Stylopandalus [S. richardi]; Chlorotocella; C. gracilis; C. leptorhjnehus; Physetocaris [P. microphthalma]; Chlorocurtis [C. jactans]; Anachlorocurtis [A, commensalis]; Miropandalus [M. hardingi]. Quotation marks indicate taxa of uncertain systematic status. Square brackets indicate redundant, phylogenetically uninformative, genus and species‐level taxa maintained in the classification to comply with the principle of binominal nomenclature.

Encrusting Sabellariidae (Annelida: Polychaeta) in rhodolith beds, with description of a new species of Sabellaria from the Brazilian coast

Rhodoliths or maerl are calcareous nodules of coralline red algae growing unattached to the substrata. They sustain a high biodiversity, being one of the most important marine benthic environments dominated by macrophytes. Sabellariidae are tube-dwelling filter feeding marine polychaetes that build their tubes by secreting cement from their thoracic glands. Some species are solitary, while others build tubes together, forming large aggregates. This study analyses Sabellariidae collected in rhodolith beds along the subtidal zone of the coast of Joao Pessoa and Cabedelo, Paraiba, north-eastern Brazil. A total of 100 individuals of six species were identified. Four are reported for the first time for the north-east coast of Brazil: Phragmatopoma caudata Morch (1863), Sabellaria bella Grube (1870), Sabellaria nanella Chamberlin (1919), and Sabellaria wilsoni Lana & Gruet ( 19 8 9 ). The first occurrence of Sabellaria pectinata Fauvel ( 1923 ) along the western Atlantic is provided as well as the description of a new species of the genus Sabellaria.

Spatiotemporal distribution and population structure of Monokalliapseudes schubarti (Tanaidacea: Kalliapseudidae) in an estuary in Southern Brazil.

Monokalliapseudes schubarti is an endemic tanaidacean microcrustacean from southeastern Brazil to Uruguay inhabiting low energy estuaries. Saco da Fazenda is located in the estuary of the Itajaí-Açú River, state of Santa Catarina, Brazil. It is exposed to strong anthropic impact and receives intensive flows of domestic wastewater, solid residues, and drainage activities. Specimens of M. schubarti were collected monthly, in the intertidal and subtidal regions of Saco da Fazenda, in four stations defined as a function of the physiography of the environment during the period of July 2003 to June 2004. Fecundity values were high, with continuous reproductive activity during the whole period of study. The greatest population densities were observed in the intertidal region, where they are nevertheless intensely consumed by birds, swimming crabs, and fish. This species represents a fundamental link in the food chain of Saco da Fazenda, transferring energy from the detritus level to higher trophic levels. Habitat disturbance and high organic matter may represent factors controlling the distribution of populations of M. schubarti. For this reason, the species may be used to monitor anthropic effects in estuarine areas.

A catalogue of Helobdella (Annelida, Clitellata, Hirudinea, Glossiphoniidae), with a summary of leech diversity, from South America

A catalogue of Helobdella produced 46 nominal species reported to date from South America. Only 14 species of Helobdella had been registered for South America until 1981. Almost 90% of the present fauna is endemic to the South American continent. Only . ve species occur in more northern latitudes. Raul Adolfo Ringuelet has described 35% of the species known today. Full synonyms and detailed South American occurrences are provided. This is the . rst reassessment of South American Helobdella in 27 years. A dominant feature of the South American leech fauna is the presence of many terrestrial predaceous forms. There are now 139 species of leeches in South America. Almost 88% of this fauna is endemic. Most endemic forms (52 species) come from subtropical latitudes, but this pattern may re. ect the vagaries of sampling and place of residence of the main South American leech specialist.

Records and Descriptions of Epitoniidae (Orthogastropoda: Epitonioidea) from the Deep Sea off Northeastern Brazil and a Checklist of Epitonium and Opalia from the Atlantic Coast of South America

A total of six genera and 10 species of marine gastropods belonging to the family Epitoniidae were collected from dredges of the continental slope off Brazil during the development of the REVIZEE (Live Resources of the Economic Exclusive Zone) Program. These species, referable to the genera Alora, Amaea, Cycloscala, Epitonium, Gregorioiscala, and Opalia, are reported from bathyal depths off northeastern Brazil. Alora sp., Gregorioiscala pimentai n. sp., and Opalia revizee n. sp. are species heretofore unknown to science. A list of the species of Epitonium and Opalia from the Atlantic coast of South America is presented based primarily on data from the literature. In addition, an overview of the biodiversity and distribution of the genera studied is presented for the Atlantic Ocean.