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Review

Research Trends and State of Knowledge of Decapod Crustaceans in Spain: A Bibliometric Analysis

by
Bruno Almón
1,2,* and
Rafael Bañón
1,2
1
Centro Oceanográfico de Vigo, Instituto Español de Oceanografía (IEO-CSIC), Subida a Radio Faro, 50-52, 36390 Vigo, Spain
2
Grupo de Estudo do Medio Mariño (GEMM), Puerto Deportivo s/n, 15960 Ribeira, Spain
*
Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Ecologies 2025, 6(3), 63; https://doi.org/10.3390/ecologies6030063
Submission received: 17 June 2025 / Revised: 17 September 2025 / Accepted: 18 September 2025 / Published: 22 September 2025
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Abstract

The order Decapoda, comprising over 17,000 extant marine species, has maintained a significant association with human societies since ancient times. This prolonged interaction initially centered on their role as a food source, subsequently expanding to encompass a broader spectrum of interests aimed at understanding their unique biological characteristics and diversity. To examine the evolution of the research focus on decapods in Spain, a bibliometric analysis was conducted. The dataset analyzed encompasses literature from various databases, culminating in a total of 913 references pertaining to decapods in Spain without temporal limitations. This analysis facilitated the creation of network maps illustrating the interconnections among primary keywords and authors as well as the progression of scientific output since the earliest recorded study in 1788. The clusters identified in the analysis delineated the principal research topics concerning Spanish decapods, highlighting the predominant areas of study, the most influential authors and institutions, and principal partner-countries establishing collaborative networks. The findings also underscore the prominence of specific journals in the development of the discipline, as well as the weight that commercially significant species have in the scientific literature. Finally, it analyzes the evolution of the research trends and emphasizes the necessity of broadening scientific enquiry to encompass other domains and lesser-known species.

Graphical Abstract

1. Introduction

Subphylum Crustacea, within the phylum Arthropoda, comprises a diverse group of primarily aquatic invertebrates, encompassing approximately 45,000 species globally. Within its total, approximately 17,700 extant species belong to the order Decapoda Latreille, 1802 [1,2]. This order encompasses the most commercially recognized crustaceans, such as crabs, lobsters, langoustines, shrimps, and prawns, as well as numerous lesser-known species that typically lack common names.
Spain represents the southernmost point of continental Europe, with most of its territory situated on the Iberian Peninsula in the southwestern corner of the continent. It also includes the Canary and Balearic Islands and the North African cities of Ceuta and Melilla, with a total coastline extending of over 7879 km [3]. Crustaceans are a significant commercial resource for the country, traditionally showing a negative trade balance. For example, in the last 5 years, the exported quantities ranged between 44,000 and 57,000 tons, while imported products ranged between 172,000 and 200,000, indicating substantial domestic consumption [4].
Shellfish, including mollusks and crustaceans, have been integral to human diets since ancient times due to their abundance, ease of harvest, and high nutritional value, making them a staple in coastal regions. Evidence of marine decapod consumption in Spain dates back to antiquity. Crustacean shells and exoskeletons discovered in prehistoric settlements reveal the presence of the European lobster Homarus gammarus (Linnaeus, 1758) and the spider crab Maja brachydactyla Balss, 1922 in Galicia, northwestern Spain [5], as well as the velvet crab Necora puber (Linnaeus, 1767) and the European green crab Carcinus maenas (Linnaeus, 1758) in Cantabria, northern Spain [6]. During the 13th to 15th centuries of the Medieval era, up to seven decapod species were documented in northeastern Spain from the Mediterranean Sea: the spinous spider crab Maja squinado (Herbst, 1788), the small European locust lobster Scyllarus arctus (Linnaeus, 1758), the warty crab Eriphia verrucosa (Forskål, 1775), the royal red prawn Aristaeomorpha foliacea (Risso, 1827), the European spiny lobster Palinurus elephas (Fabricius, 1787), the tiger shrimp Penaeus (Melicertus) kerathurus (Forskål, 1775), and the European lobster Homarus gammarus [7]. Based on the available evidence, the European spiny lobster (Palinurus elephas) has probably been the most iconic exploited species, even considering that archaeological evidence on this species may be biased due to the relatively thin and easily decomposable nature of its shell, as well as its probable use as fertilizer [8]. The presence of this species in local markets has been documented since at least 1133, with a significant fishery developing from the late 18th century following the arrival of French fishing vessels to the northern and northwestern Spanish coasts [9]. Although fisheries legislation in Spain dates back to the reign of “Alfonso X el Sabio” (1221–1284), the first specific regulations for crustaceans were established in 1885 with the “Reglamento para la pesca de los crustáceos, fomento de su cría y multiplicación en el litoral español” (Real Orden de 28 de enero de 1885). This decree established minimum size requirements, fishing seasons, and other conditions for 12 species of decapod crustaceans for the first time.
In the context of post-Linnaean scientific knowledge concerning decapods, Cornide [10] provides a succinct description of the most prevalent commercial species in Galicia, enumerating a total of nine, including Necora puber, Maja brachydactyla, and Palaemon serratus (Pennant, 1777). De Buen [11] documented approximately 105 decapod species from Spain, a number that was subsequently expanded to 196 species from peninsular Spain and Morocco by Miranda and Rivera [12]. Zariquiey [13] offered comprehensive information on the habitat, spawning season, and distribution of decapods in the Iberian Peninsula. Almost 50 years later, Marco-Herrero et al. [14] updated the list of brachyuran crabs from the Iberian Peninsula, adding 35 new species, bringing the total to 140 species. Subsequently, García-Raso et al. [15] provided updates on the changes in the Iberian decapod crustacean fauna, excluding crabs, using the work of Zariquiey [13] as baseline reference. Specific studies have also been conducted for the Autonomous Communities, including the Spanish islands. Examples of those are the works of Morales & Bañón [16], compiling a total of 227 species for Galicia, and the studies of Garcia-Socias & Massuti [17] in the Balearic Islands, with 185 valid species listed and further expanded with 14 more in a subsequent study [18]. The unique geomorphological, geographical and oceanographic features of the Canary Islands, coupled with their temperate-tropical climate conditions, contribute to the great diversity of its marine biota [19]. In this region, the list of crustacean decapods comprises a total of 481 species [20], with the list of brachyuran crabs including 132 species [21].
The main objective of this study is to conduct a bibliographic survey of the scientific literature on decapods in Spain in order to identify established and emerging areas of research. With this aim, a quantitative method of citation and content analysis in the relevant scientific literature is employed to understand research trends and impact, as well as to examine the detailed characteristics and patterns of the featured research field. Findings from this review will help to identify knowledge gaps, explore future directions and provide a baseline to guide future policies, management strategies, funding prioritization, and research areas that need more attention.
Bibliometric analysis is a valuable tool for analyzing the research activity of countries, research institutions, and disciplines through their scientific publications. Bibliometric studies of Spanish marine research are limited in the literature, primarily confined to the general discipline [22,23] or as part of broader studies [24,25]. Regarding marine decapods, only Nephrops norvegicus (Linnaeus, 1758) has been analyzed within its European range [26], which reinforces the interest for this type of study.

2. Materials and Methods

This review was conducted between March-May of 2025 and focused on studies involving marine decapod species caught in Spanish waters (including the islands), or general studies containing specimens sampled within Spanish territory. The bibliographic compilation was carried out by retrieving scientific literature from various academic international databases, including Google Scholar, Scopus, Science Direct, PubMed and Web of Science, with no time restrictions and focusing on the Spanish Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) as the study area. After several general analyses, and a screening of the main keywords to be used, the final search to produce the final dataset was obtained using the following terms and appropriate Boolean operators:
“Decapoda” AND “Spain” AND “Article” OR “Review article” or “Book Chapters” EXCLUDE “Proceeding Paper” OR “Data Paper” NOT “crayfish” NOT “Freshwater” NOT “Fossil” NOT “Artemia” NOT “Cretaceous” NOT “Cavernicolous” NOT “Antarctica” NOT “Pacific” NOT “Indian” NOT “Cave” NOT “Eocene” NOT “Tunisia” NOT “Paleontology”.
In the combined “Title”, “Abstract” and “Keywords” fields. All searches were included and managed through Zotero reference manager (https://www.zotero.org/ (accessed on)), which also allows quick searches for duplicate items and facilitates information management. Considering previously reported issues associated with the use of references from individual bibliographic databases [27,28], publications obtained from database queries were merged and completed by alternative searches (related keywords) and validated by manual screening of the title and, where necessary, the abstract. Lists of references from the research papers were also inspected with the aim of finding studies that had not been identified through the search platforms. Publications classified as gray literature, such as conference proceedings or technical reports have not been considered in the analysis.
To depict bibliometric networks, we utilized the R-based tool for comprehensive science mapping analysis called Bibliometrix [29] alongside VOSviewer vr. 1.6.16 [30]. Bibliometrix is an open-source tool that allows the user to perform extensive analyses of the scientific literature through different approaches. Bibliometrix uses R as programming language which makes it flexible and allows integration with other statistical and graphical packages. By definition, bibliometric is a constantly evolving field and by its very nature, Bibliometrix is flexible enough to be updated and integrated quickly, adapting to new needs that may arise. Bibliometrix also provides several ways to import bibliographic data from major databases, perform bibliometric analysis and build data matrices for co-citation, linkage, scientific collaboration analysis and co-word analysis [29]. The bibliographic information obtained from the different databases was imported into the program and merged together to generate a joint database, and exported as a single file for revision and completion of missing information. VOSviewer is adept at mapping networks of different attributes in the databases such as keywords, individual publications, authors, journals, or even countries, based on connections such as citation, bibliographic coupling, co-citation, and co-authorship.
Using the appropriate tools in each case, a variety of metrics have been analyzed to provide relevant information for the field under investigation. The analysis of most productive authors and organizations are intended to identify the main expertise hotspots within the Spanish research organisms, which can be useful for enable future collaborations and consultations. Furthermore, in combination with collaboration analysis, it depicts current networks, their weaknesses, and future opportunities. Similarly, the total number of publications and citations can give an idea of the relevance of research carried out in Spain, measuring the extent to which they are used as references in the studies conducted by others. Journals analysis seeks to identify the main sources of information in the field, which can help institutions prioritize funding, and authors select the appropriate specialized journals. Parameters related to geographic analysis provide information on research effort distribution. Identifying the particularities of each sector can provide information about differences in target species and areas of specialization within the study area. Finally, analyzing keywords and their evolution over time provides information on how the main research topics have evolved over time, which are the most frequently covered topics, and which ones are yet to be explored. For the keyword analysis, only those with more than 10 citations were included in the co-occurrence keyword map. Co-authorship analysis was based on a threshold of a minimum of five documents of a given author, and the same number of documents for an organization was applied for the analysis of the most relevant research institutions. All the tools employed for the analysis have been used in the version published by their authors, without any additional editing.
The geographical analysis has been carried out on the basis of the five biogeographic sectors or marine demarcations defined in previous studies [15,31]. The Atlantic region includes three sectors: the Gulf of Biscay-Galicia region (GB-GA) covering the North Atlantic coast, the Gulf of Cadiz (GC) covering the South Atlantic coast and the Canary Islands (CAN). The Mediterranean region comprises two sectors: the South Western Mediterranean (SWM), including the East coast of Spain and Balearic Islands, and the Alboran (ALB), which extends from the Mediterranean part of the Strait of Gibraltar to the Alboran Sea.

3. Results and Discussion

3.1. Publications and Citations over Time

The final dataset contains a total of 913 bibliographic references (Table S1) and 22,332 citations. The first published study documented dates back to the 18th century [10], with no other work identified on this topic until the end of the 19th century [11]. Throughout the first and most of the second half of the 20th century, the number of publications per year remained consistently low (between 1 and 3), although these first studies, driven primarily by the economically lucrative associated activities, have been fundamental for acquiring the experience and tools necessary to advance the study of crustaceans. The interest in the study of marine crustaceans in Spain began to rise at the end of the 1980s (Figure 1), showing a sustained growth from then on, reaching the maximum value of the series (40 publications) by the year 2009. Since then, the trend has fluctuated, with values generally slightly lower but, based on data from recent years (28 publications in 2023 and 38 in 2024), it is expected to remain at similar levels to the peak period (2007–2011) in the future.
The mean numbers of annual citations of these works followed a similar trend, with a steady increase in citations in accordance with the number of articles (Figure 1). Although the mean annual citation values remain low in the beginning, it is important to note the relative importance of some of the pioneering articles, which gives an idea of their relevance in the development of research on marine crustaceans in Spain. In this respect, the work of Zariquiey [13] stands out, with a total of 1001 recognized citations, which gives a mean total annual citation value of 17.26 for that particular year. Although on a much smaller scale, the citations received by other publications [32,33] are also noteworthy. Both publications have in common with that of Zariquiey [13] that they are focused on cataloging the fauna of large areas and, therefore, have been pioneering in the field and very valuable as an identification guide in the development of the discipline. Since the 1990s, the citation rates show a variable but stable trend that has continued with little change up to the present day.

3.2. Numbers of Publications According to Type

Most indexed publications are assigned to journal articles, with more than 95% of the total number of items (Table 1), followed by review articles. The differentiation between these two categories has been established on the basis of the aims of the published article, and may therefore have a subjective component.

3.3. Most Relevant Authors and Collaborative Networks

3.3.1. Author’s Production

Table 2 presents a list of the most relevant authors in terms of the number of articles published concerning decapod crustaceans in Spain. The table also shows the total production of these same authors without any research topic restriction, which gives an idea of the degree of specialization of each author in the study of marine decapods in Spain. Most of the authors show a wide thematic range in their work, going beyond marine decapods in Spain, although these occupy, in all cases, an important part of their scientific production. In some cases (García-Raso, J.E. and González-Gurriarán, E.) the results show a greater number of articles in the compiled dataset on decapods than the total retrieved from Scopus. This is explained by the incompleteness of the online databases, which include many but not all of the authors’ published works, especially biased in relation to articles prior to the 2000s. Nevertheless, the results of the analysis of authors show varying levels of specialization, but all researchers have a high H-index, reflecting a significant scientific impact.

3.3.2. Collaborative Network

The analysis of the co-authorship network resulted in the identification of 11 clusters, which can be interpreted as stable research groups (Figure 2a). The analysis also identifies the main cooperation pathways between groups, revealing at the same time the researchers/groups more prone to establish collaborations versus others more isolated within the Spanish scientific community. The overlay view (Figure 2b) of the same analysis gives additional information, showing the strong cooperation networks in the beginning of the time period, but also the gradual renewal within the well-established research groups, incorporating younger researches for the field.

3.3.3. Collaboration Countries

The complete set of 913 publications was analyzed by country based on corresponding author affiliations and addresses. For those not included in the online bibliographic databases, this information was entered manually to ensure that all publications presented the same level of information for the analysis. The main collaboration countries according with authors’ affiliations are shown in Figure 3, which is used as a proxy for the geographical distribution of the international interest in the study of decapods in Spain, as well as the established collaborations with Spanish researchers.
Since 1788, 34 countries have contributed to published articles on Spanish decapods, representing approximately 26% of the total articles published. As might be expected, the countries with the strongest collaborative relationships are those in the closest geographic vicinity, with Portugal (51), Italy (27), Germany (22) and the United Kingdom (15) as the most important contributors, although an important connection with countries such as the USA, Canada and Argentina can also be observed. Table 3 shows the top 20 most productive countries based on the number of publications led by affiliated authors in those countries.

3.4. Geographical Distribution of Research in Spain

3.4.1. Species Studied

The great diversity of morphological features among the decapod crustaceans reflects their ability to adapt to a wide range of environments and is evidenced by the large number of species known [34]. A small part of this diversity is shown in Figure 4, with highly variable morphological patterns that reflect the range of forms included in the study. This is also reflected in the analysis of the main species studied, with a total of 179 citations of unique species names appearing in the title, abstract or keywords fields. The list of species is shown together with the number of publications in which these species are mentioned, grouped by biogeographic sector (Table S2). Particularly noticeable in this respect is the scarcity of publications devoted to certain economically relevant species as Homarus gammarus or Cancer pagurus, which can be probably explained by the relatively low abundance in most of the Spanish waters, and the attention received by other authors outside Spanish borders, providing basic knowledge that can be applicable to the management of the species in Spain.

3.4.2. Research Analysis by Region

Scientific production within Spain’s borders has also varied over time. Of the 913 articles analyzed, 29 could not be assigned to a specific sector, as they showed a general geographic coverage. The analysis of scientific production by biogeographic sectors reveals a higher production from the Mediterranean SWM sector (Figure 5). The large production of this area in relation to the others is explained by its large extension, which includes the Balearic Islands, and by the considerable production of the Institut de Ciències del Mar (ICM), which since its creation in 1951, has carried out an intense study of decapods, with special attention to those species of high commercial value such as Nephrops norvegicus and Aristeus antennatus (Risso, 1816). Several authors affiliated to this institution are in part responsible for this large production, with Abelló, P., Cartes, J.E., Sardá F., Company, J.B. and Aguzzi, J. as the most productive ones (with 87, 69, 64, 50 and 33 authored or co-authored articles, respectively), covering subjects related with decapod fisheries, biodiversity and more recently, invasive species. Articles attributed to Guerao, G. from the Barcelona University also include high number of publications for the area (40). From the Gulf of Biscay-Galicia sector, a similar tendency is shown, with the largest proportion of studies devoted to species of commercial interest (Necora puber, Maja brachydactyla, Nephrops norvegicus), or with low market value but with relevance in connection with fisheries or aquaculture activities either as predators (Polybius depurator (Linnaeus, 1758)) or disturbing fishery activities (Polybius henslowii Leach, 1820). Most productive authors in this sector include González-Gurriarán, E. (55) Freire, J. (42), Rotllant, G. (32), Guerao, G. (20) and Castejón, D. (9). The Gulf of Cádiz sector shows different trends in the article subjects, with Cuesta, J.A. (53), García-Raso, J.E. (27), Drake, P. (27), González-Gordillo, J.I. (22), González-Ortegón, E. (29) and Rodríguez, A. (25) as the main contributors with articles devoted to the study of crustacean larvae and biodiversity, and Martín-Diaz, M.L. (16) and Mourente, G. (10) publishing studies related with contaminants and biochemistry, using crustaceans as model organisms. In the Alboran sector, contributions from García-Raso, J.E. stand out (39), with numerous works dedicated to the study of crustacean biodiversity in the area, followed by Abelló, P. (29) and Manjón-Cabeza, M.E. (9). Similarly, in the Canary Islands sector, the majority of contributions comes from González, J.A. with mostly biodiversity studies (53) and to a lesser extent, Landeira, J.M (23), who focuses on larvae and development studies.
It is important here to highlight the transversality of some authors in their production, serving as bridges between different geographic areas. The works from Guerao, G. and Rotllant, G. both affiliated to institutions related to the SWM sector, extends beyond this area, with an important production also in the GB-GA sector. The ALB and GC sectors are linked by the production of García-Raso, J.E. with abundant production in both areas. Similarly, although his main production is focused on SWM sector, the research of Abelló, P. also includes numerous studies in the neighboring ALB sector. These are some of the most obvious examples that emerge from the results obtained, but partnerships have been frequent in the past and continue to be so today, resulting in a large collaborative output between researchers from different fields and regions.
When the number of articles is weighted relative to the kilometers of coastline in each sector, the results show the GC as the most productive in relation to the total length of the study area. The SWM shows still high numbers, even though covering a much larger area, which reflects the high scientific production in this sector. These results should be taken with caution, since within the same sector, not all the areas have generally been studied with the same intensity. Typically, the most prospected areas tend to be those close to research institutions or fishing grounds. However, it can be useful to put into perspective the intensity of the research and the knowledge derived from it, which in more limited geographical ranges can be proportionally higher than in other more extensive areas.
In relation to the species most frequently included in the studies, Figure 6a shows the 20 most cited species in the compiled references, along with the breakdown of the sectors in which they have been cited. The most studied species include Aristeus antennatus and Nephrops norvegicus, of great economic importance in the SWM sector, and Maja brachydactyla in the GB-GA sector.
The analysis by sector (Figure 6b) gives a more localized perspective of the relative importance of each species, which varies substantially between sectors. The results from CAN sector show a special interest in deep-sea species, such as Chaceon affinis (A. Milne-Edwards & Bouvier, 1894), and small shrimps and prawns of commercial interest such as Plesionika spp., Heterocarpus ensifer A. Milne-Edwards, 1881 or Parapenaeus longirostris (Lucas, 1846), which are not found or is of lower relevance in other sectors. Other deep-water species shared with other sectors are present in the literature, but in lower numbers (Aristeus antennatus), as well as some species with tropical affinities (Panulirus echinatus Smith, 1869) unique in this sector. The ALB sector shares with the SWM the two most relevant species: Aristeus antennatus and Nephrops norvegicus, although with lower total numbers. Percentages are more balanced in this area, with other important species such as the shrimps Hippolyte inermis Leach, 1816, Plesionika spp., or the crab Polybius depurator (in the literature frequently included under the currently synonymized name Liocarcinus depurator). It also shares with other sectors (GC and SWM) the presence of increasing reporting on invasive species, such as Callinectes sapidus Rathbun, 1896. In the most eastern sector (SWM), more than half of the articles considered include the two most important commercial species (Aristeus antennatus and Nephrops norvegicus). According to the results, other economically relevant species as Maja squinado or Aristaeomorpha foliacea have received much less attention in the scientific literature, showing numbers similar to lower valuable species as Macropipus tuberculatus (Roux, 1830) or Polybius depurator (Linnaeus, 1758). In the GC sector, a high interest in the species Carcinus maenas is observed, which is related to the use of this species as a model organism for bioassays related to physiological responses to pollutants. Given its geographical location, the study of non-indigenous species has a special relevance here, with Callinectes sapidus and Afropinnotheres monodi being the most reported in the literature. In the GB-GA sector, there is a clear preponderance of studies dedicated to the most commercially valuable species, particularly Maja brachydactyla, Necora puber and Nephrops norvegicus, although other high valued species have received much less attention (Palaemon spp. or Scyllarus arctus). In this area, the taxonomical status of the species of the genus Maja has been updated for the analysis, and the numerous works carried out in the GB-GA sector on Maja squinado, have been attributed to Maja brachidactyla, according to the current knowledge on the species of this genus. In the GEN sector the species Nephrops norvegicus stands out, due to its wide geographic distribution and its commercial interest. Aside from their commercial relevance, the importance of model organisms (Carcinus maenas), common shallow-water species (Palaemon spp.) or recently reviewed genera (Diogenes Dana, 1851) are also well represented in the results.
Although according to the results, the most studied species are frequently those of commercial interest, there are some notable absences. Some economically relevant species as Homarus gammarus and Cancer pagurus are poorly studied, with only four manuscripts for the former and none for the latter.

3.4.3. Most Productive Organizations

The network map analysis (Figure 7) shows a strong influence of two of the most relevant marine research institutions in Spain, the Spanish National Research Council (CSIC) and the Spanish Institute of Oceanography (IEO, which, since 2021 has been part of the CSIC structure), as well as the various Spanish universities. The variations in the way the authors’ affiliations are detailed mean that many of the institutions that appear independently are in fact part of one of these three groups, especially in the case of the CSIC, which includes institutes such as the Institute of Marine Sciences of Barcelona (ICM) and the Institute of Marine Sciences of Andalucía (ICMAN). Similarly, when referring to the IEO affiliation, authors sometimes specify the particular coastal station, making it appear as a separate entity, even though it actually belongs to the same institution. Finally, it is important to note the unifying role played by these two institutions, especially prone to establishing partnerships with other institutions.

3.5. Journals

An analysis of the main journals by number of publications (Figure 8) shows two particularly productive journals, namely Scientia Marina and Crustaceana. The case of Scientia Marina is of particular interest, since it was created in 1955 under the name “Investigación Pesquera” then adopting the current name in 1989. If we consider these two journals together, their contribution to Spanish carcinological science stands out even more, with approximately 100 publications, well above the next on the list, with 57. It is interesting to highlight the role that these journals have played in the development of marine research in Spain, especially in the study of decapod crustaceans. Both journals have a long trajectory, and hosted many of the pioneering studies in this field. However, the high number of articles is not only explained by their longevity, since in the list there are longer-lived journals (Journal of the Marine Biological Association of the United Kingdom, created in 1887) or with similar trajectories (Marine Biology, 1967). Their editorial policy has played an important role in this as well. It is remarkable that at present both have a low scientific impact rating, even if they continue to host articles from disciplines as taxonomy or studies of limited coverage, contributing to the improvement of basic knowledge. Under the current impact-assessment system, however, these studies are frequently considered of potentially low citation value and therefore not prioritized. In view of the results, we cannot emphasize enough how important it is that these types of publications continue to exist.

3.6. Trend Topic Analysis

3.6.1. Keywords

From the 913 scientific publications analyzed, a combined total of 18,489 terms were obtained when searching in all fields (Title, Abstract and Keywords), which is reduced to 3500 when considering only Keywords (Author Keywords and Keywords Plus). The latter have been considered more representative and therefore are the ones included in the analysis (Figure 9). The keyword clustering network plot showing closeness among terms was calculated based on term co-occurrence within the same publication. Results from network visualization showed a total of five clusters identified in the analysis. The red cluster includes terms related with diversity and abundance of crustaceans, especially those of commercial relevance in the Mediterranean, but also more general studies from populations and communities in the area, mainly in deep waters. The green cluster includes terms related to taxonomy and evolutionary biology, and deals with biodiversity studies. The blue cluster deals with biological traits of species mainly related with fisheries. The yellow cluster includes paper related to biology and population dynamics of species, especially commercially exploited species in the Atlantic. The violet cluster includes subjects as physiological responses to climate change or toxic substances, and the study on presence and effects of invasive species.
The overlay visualization of the data gives another perspective on the same results, showing the variation in the main research subjects over time. The color of each term identifies the average year of publication for all publications in which the term occurs. The plot indicates a focus on commercial species and the associated fishery activities in earlier studies, which also address topics such as population dynamics and distribution [35,36,37,38]. Those research topics were shifting towards the characterization of the different ecological (e.g., abundance, distribution or population dynamics) and physiological aspects of the species (e.g., larval survival, tolerance to changing environmental factors or reproductive behavior), aiming to gain the best possible understanding of the behavior and particularities of the species, with the ultimate goal of ensuring a sustainable resource management. Most recent studies include new topics as molecular studies, evaluation of invasive species and phylogeography studies that include not only commercial species, but entire communities.

3.6.2. Trending Topics

According to the results of a more specific trending topic analysis (Figure 10), the evolution of the main topics of interest in decapod research in Spain began with a focus on the study of specific productive areas and species of commercial importance. The approaches are initially closer to fisheries science, moving later to delve into more physiological and developmental aspects. As the discipline developed, and interest in resources shifted to a growing concern for environmental conservation, biodiversity studies began to proliferate. These include papers reporting first records or insights into species distributions, as well as community composition of non-commercial species. Finally, since 2015, the incorporation of new analytical techniques is reflected in the increase in studies involving biochemical analysis (related to physiological responses to environmental changes), molecular biology, and the study of invasive species. Overall, the results are in agreement with those derived from the overlay visualization of the keyword co-occurrence network (Figure 9b).

4. Conclusions

The results of analyzing the evolution of the research interest indicates a tendency to follow society’s main concerns, going from the detailed studies devoted to most economically relevant species, to most purely biological and knowledge-driven research oriented to fulfill the gaps in knowledge of the moment. This evolution has certainly evolved alongside with the development of the technical and analytical capabilities needed to address problems of ever greater complexity, thus broadening our understanding of the environment and significantly enhancing research capabilities. The integration of molecular analysis into taxonomic research has been a revolution [39], leading to numerous changes and modifications in previously accepted taxonomic classification, especially in the identification of species complexes, differentiation of cryptic or pseudo-cryptic species and synonymization of previously over-spitted taxa [40,41,42,43,44].
While these updates are essential, they present challenges when analyzing extensive bibliographic data. A clear example is the differentiation of the two main species of Maja present in the study area. Traditionally, the species captured in the Atlantic and its Mediterranean congener Maja squinado have been considered conspecific [45,46,47]. However, morphological evidence suggested they might be two different species [48]. Indeed, Maja brachydactyla was initially described as a variety of Maja squinado [49]. Genetic studies by Sotelo et al. [50] provided additional evidence for the separation of the two species, leading to their acceptance as valid species. Consequently, the northeast Atlantic spider crab is now recognized as Maja brachydactyla, while Maja squinado is primarily found in the Mediterranean. Other examples include the differentiation of species complex (Diogenes spp.) or changes in the nomenclature of some species (Liocarcinus depurator now accepted as Polybius, or Enoplometopus antillensis, now accepted as Hoplometopus) [42,43,51,52]. Differences between literature mentions and currently accepted taxonomic status, should therefore be taken into account, to reflect the effective research effort devoted to the study of each of the species.
In recent decades, interest in studies on marine crustaceans in Spain has shifted again, following the needs of the current environmental situation. The effects of global climate change and their secondary effects, along with the increasing number of exotic species, are some of the issues of greatest global concern. International awareness has led to significant efforts and agreements, such as the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) and the Paris Agreement, which have set ambitious objectives to mitigate these impacts. The Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), in particular SDG 14 (Life Below Water), have also played a crucial role in raising awareness and providing guidance for a unified approach to conservation and sustainability. Bibliometric analysis results reflect this evolution in society awareness, with scientific interest evolving in line with these main concerns, thus occupying a significant portion of the work published in recent years [53].
Despite the progress made, analyses reveal certain limitations alongside promising opportunities for development that merit attention. The emerging field of exotic species research has gained significance in recent decades [54]. However, the rapid spread of these species has led most studies to focus on reporting their presence rather than delving into the underlying causes [24,55,56,57]. Investigating the introduction pathways, the physiological traits that enhance their competitiveness, and their interactions with native species could improve their management and control. Furthermore, the results reveal a deficit of collaborations with the most likely countries to act as donors of exotic species to Europe via the Strait of Gibraltar and the Mediterranean Sea. The natural drift of exotic species arriving in Spain is mainly to migrate northward. Therefore, promoting partnerships with North African countries, may help to better understand their behavior and biological traits prior to their arrival. Whether this process occurs naturally or through human intervention, such knowledge would provide the basis for the implementation of appropriate management measures tailored to each case. To this end, studies that use collaborative systems will be extremely useful. Citizen science, for instance, is a powerful tool that has gained popularity and proven highly effective in achieving sampling coverage that would be challenging for a research group to achieve independently [58,59]. However, according to keyword and research topic analyses, such studies remain scarce.
Studies on population dynamics are also limited among marine decapods due to the isolation of their habitat and the costs involved in their study. However, technological advances now make these studies possible, although they require promotion and support from administrations. The development of increasingly smaller and more accurate sensors opens up new possibilities for applying telemetry techniques to track the movements of all types of marine organisms [60]. Together with studies on physiology and development of species other than the commercially relevant ones, it may greatly improve resource management capabilities and contribute to ensure their sustainability. Furthermore, this type of research may open new opportunities for developing the aquaculture of valuable species.
Likewise, molecular biology offers opportunities beyond species identification and phylogenetic studies. The potential of this tool to deepen our understanding of gene functions and their reflection in physiological and ecological traits represents a fascinating field that has been largely unexplored [61]. Popularization of molecular tools now allows exploring research areas that would have been extremely costly a decade ago. Some of these areas, such as environmental DNA analysis, have received more attention and financial support in recent years, which is reflected in faster development compared to others. The full potential of this tool is yet to be determined, but it promises to be extremely useful for a variety of applications [62]. However, it is important to remember that to be effective, it requires a solid and reliable data foundation, so it is important to continue promoting taxonomic studies, without which these more modern developments would be of little use [63,64]. In line with this, the development of applications involving machine learning is beginning to yield promising results in marine science, generally assisting in the management and analysis of vast amounts of information from an increasing number of sensors [65]. These topics are currently scarce in Spanish scientific production, but as these tools continue to be refined, it is expected that they will occupy an increasingly important place in it. The application of non-invasive sampling methods is another objective to be achieved, which is especially important in the case of inaccessible or particularly sensitive locations, such as many deep-sea ecosystems [66].
Finally, the marketing of fishery products seeks to generate added value through distinction and valorization of by-products [67,68]. In this aspect, stock delineation through genetic studies can contribute to differentiate a resource with a specific origin. In line with this approach, synergies with other disciplines could bring great benefits. The analysis of feeding habits, fishing methods, assessment of pollution levels or the screening for bioactive compounds are promising areas that deserve further exploration.
Many opportunities for future development involve thoroughly exploring the available tools and their application to species that are important not only from an economic perspective but also ecologically, as well as fostering collaboration between different disciplines that can produce results beyond what can be achieved by combining them separately.
Bibliometric methods provide additional data and insights that can inform research strategies, policy decisions, and academic priorities, and play an important role in helping researchers navigate and interpret large amounts of scientific data. However, by its nature, this type of analysis has a very short expiration date, as the publication rate tends to render results obsolete quickly. Nevertheless, no historical analysis of research on decapod crustaceans in Spain has ever been carried out, making it interesting to obtain an overview of how topics of interest have changed over time in relation to the evolution of society, and which areas of knowledge are most unexplored.

Supplementary Materials

The following supporting information can be downloaded at: https://www.mdpi.com/article/10.3390/ecologies6030063/s1, Table S1: Decapoda Spain Dataset; Table S2: Species List.

Author Contributions

Conceptualization, R.B.; methodology, B.A. and R.B.; software, B.A.; validation, B.A. and R.B.; formal analysis, B.A.; investigation, R.B. and B.A.; resources, B.A. and R.B.; data curation, B.A. and R.B.; writing—original draft preparation, B.A.; writing—review and editing, B.A. and R.B.; visualization, B.A.; supervision, B.A. and R.B.; project administration, B.A. and R.B. All authors have read and agreed to the published version of the manuscript.

Funding

This research received no external funding.

Institutional Review Board Statement

Not applicable.

Informed Consent Statement

Not applicable.

Data Availability Statement

The original contributions presented in this study are included in this article/Supplementary Materials. Further inquiries can be directed to the corresponding author.

Acknowledgments

The authors wish to thank all carcinologist colleagues consulted for their willingness to provide the information requested, as well as to acknowledge their work over the years to improve scientific knowledge in general, and that of decapods in particular.

Conflicts of Interest

The authors declare no conflicts of interest.

Abbreviations

The following abbreviations are used in this manuscript:
ALBAlboran Sea
SWMSouth Western Mediterranean
GCGulf of Cádiz
GB-GAGulf of Biscay-Galicia
CANCanary Islands
GENGeneral (more than one sector involved)

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Figure 1. Annual numbers of publications (NP) and mean total citations per year (MTCY) on marine decapods in the study area since 1788.
Figure 1. Annual numbers of publications (NP) and mean total citations per year (MTCY) on marine decapods in the study area since 1788.
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Figure 2. Network map of co-authorship analysis based on a threshold of five papers per author in cluster (a) and overlay (b) visualization.
Figure 2. Network map of co-authorship analysis based on a threshold of five papers per author in cluster (a) and overlay (b) visualization.
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Figure 3. Geographical distribution of publications based on the affiliations of corresponding authors from collaborating countries.
Figure 3. Geographical distribution of publications based on the affiliations of corresponding authors from collaborating countries.
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Figure 4. Diversity of marine decapods inhabiting the Spanish coasts illustrated through some of the representatives of the main morpho-groups, including exploited (A–D) and non-exploited species (E,F). (A) Cancer pagurus Linnaeus, 1758; (B) Palaemonetes varians (Leach, 1813); (C) Scyllarus arctus (Linnaeus, 1758); (D) Necora puber; (E) Hoplometopus antillensis (Lütken, 1865); (F) Pagurus prideaux Leach, 1815; (G) Inachus dorsettensis (Pennant, 1777); (H) Goneplax rhomboides (Linnaeus, 1758) (Images by B.A.).
Figure 4. Diversity of marine decapods inhabiting the Spanish coasts illustrated through some of the representatives of the main morpho-groups, including exploited (A–D) and non-exploited species (E,F). (A) Cancer pagurus Linnaeus, 1758; (B) Palaemonetes varians (Leach, 1813); (C) Scyllarus arctus (Linnaeus, 1758); (D) Necora puber; (E) Hoplometopus antillensis (Lütken, 1865); (F) Pagurus prideaux Leach, 1815; (G) Inachus dorsettensis (Pennant, 1777); (H) Goneplax rhomboides (Linnaeus, 1758) (Images by B.A.).
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Figure 5. Number of publications by geographic sector, as a proxy for the intensity of research in different Spanish regions. The percentages indicated next to the sector names indicate the ratio of articles published in relation to the coastline length (in km). Geographic sectors: GB-GA: Gulf of Biscay-Galicia; GC: Gulf of Cadiz; ALB Alboran Sea; SWM: South Western Mediterranean; CAN: Canary Islands.
Figure 5. Number of publications by geographic sector, as a proxy for the intensity of research in different Spanish regions. The percentages indicated next to the sector names indicate the ratio of articles published in relation to the coastline length (in km). Geographic sectors: GB-GA: Gulf of Biscay-Galicia; GC: Gulf of Cadiz; ALB Alboran Sea; SWM: South Western Mediterranean; CAN: Canary Islands.
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Figure 6. Most important species: (a) Top 20 studied species in the whole study area, based on total number of publications citing the species in the abstract, tittle or keywords. The proportions of each sector where they are cited are also shown. (b) Top 10 species studied by sector: Alborán (ALB), South Western Mediterranean (SWM), Gulf of Cádiz (GC), Gulf of Biscay-Galicia (GB-GA), Canary Islands (CAN), all sectors (GEN).
Figure 6. Most important species: (a) Top 20 studied species in the whole study area, based on total number of publications citing the species in the abstract, tittle or keywords. The proportions of each sector where they are cited are also shown. (b) Top 10 species studied by sector: Alborán (ALB), South Western Mediterranean (SWM), Gulf of Cádiz (GC), Gulf of Biscay-Galicia (GB-GA), Canary Islands (CAN), all sectors (GEN).
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Figure 7. Network map of co-authorship across institutional affiliations for all retrieved paper based on a threshold of five publications per organization.
Figure 7. Network map of co-authorship across institutional affiliations for all retrieved paper based on a threshold of five publications per organization.
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Figure 8. Top 10 journals in terms of number of publications on the subject for all retrieved items.
Figure 8. Top 10 journals in terms of number of publications on the subject for all retrieved items.
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Figure 9. Network map of the co-occurrence of keywords in publications included in the final dataset, based on a threshold of 10 citations per word. (a) Network visualization. (b) Overlay visualization, depicting the global temporal trend in the development of main research topics.
Figure 9. Network map of the co-occurrence of keywords in publications included in the final dataset, based on a threshold of 10 citations per word. (a) Network visualization. (b) Overlay visualization, depicting the global temporal trend in the development of main research topics.
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Figure 10. Temporal keyword analysis showing the variation in the research trending topics over time.
Figure 10. Temporal keyword analysis showing the variation in the research trending topics over time.
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Table 1. Numbers of publications on marine decapods in Spain according to publication type.
Table 1. Numbers of publications on marine decapods in Spain according to publication type.
Publication TypeNumber% Publications
Article87395.6%
Book chapter60.6%
Review343.7%
Table 2. Most productive Spanish authors on decapod crustaceans within the period 1887–2025. Articles: Number of articles published on marine crustaceans in Spain, according to the compiled dataset; Total: Number of articles published by the author on any topic; H index of the authors. The Total and H index numbers are based on SCOPUS information (https://www.scopus.com), accessed on 23 May 2025.
Table 2. Most productive Spanish authors on decapod crustaceans within the period 1887–2025. Articles: Number of articles published on marine crustaceans in Spain, according to the compiled dataset; Total: Number of articles published by the author on any topic; H index of the authors. The Total and H index numbers are based on SCOPUS information (https://www.scopus.com), accessed on 23 May 2025.
AuthorsInstitutionArticlesTotalH Index
Abelló, P.ICM-CSIC9613231
Cuesta, J.A.ICMAN-CSIC7728645
Cartes, J.E.ICM-CSIC7518353
Sardà, F.ICM-CSIC7512846
García-Raso, J.E.U. Málaga665017
Rotllan, G.ICM-CSIC6311427
Guerao, G.U. Barcelona608519
González-Gurriarán, E.U. A Coruña554025
González, J.A.U. Las Palmas5113222
Freire, J.U. A Coruña4210736
Aguzzi, J.ICM-CSIC4021340
Maynou, F.ICM-CSIC3317744
Table 3. Number of articles for the top 20 most collaborative countries.
Table 3. Number of articles for the top 20 most collaborative countries.
CountryArticlesCountryArticles
Portugal51France7
Italy27Mexico7
Germany22Australia5
United Kingdom15Austria5
Canada12Chile5
USA12Ireland5
Argentina10Belgium4
Greece9Norway4
Japan8China3
Brazil7Colombia3
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MDPI and ACS Style

Almón, B.; Bañón, R. Research Trends and State of Knowledge of Decapod Crustaceans in Spain: A Bibliometric Analysis. Ecologies 2025, 6, 63. https://doi.org/10.3390/ecologies6030063

AMA Style

Almón B, Bañón R. Research Trends and State of Knowledge of Decapod Crustaceans in Spain: A Bibliometric Analysis. Ecologies. 2025; 6(3):63. https://doi.org/10.3390/ecologies6030063

Chicago/Turabian Style

Almón, Bruno, and Rafael Bañón. 2025. "Research Trends and State of Knowledge of Decapod Crustaceans in Spain: A Bibliometric Analysis" Ecologies 6, no. 3: 63. https://doi.org/10.3390/ecologies6030063

APA Style

Almón, B., & Bañón, R. (2025). Research Trends and State of Knowledge of Decapod Crustaceans in Spain: A Bibliometric Analysis. Ecologies, 6(3), 63. https://doi.org/10.3390/ecologies6030063

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