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Advances in Biological Research into Shrimps, Crabs and Lobsters (2nd...
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Advances in Biological Research into Shrimps, Crabs and Lobsters (2nd Edition)

A special issue of Biology (ISSN 2079-7737). This special issue belongs to the section "Zoology".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 31 December 2026 | Viewed by 837

Special Issue Editor

Prof. Dr. Lutz Auerswald

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Department of Animal Sciences, Stellenbosch University, Stellenbosch 7600, South Africa
Interests: crustacean; animal sciences; lobsters; fisheries; aquaculture; animal physiology; marine biology
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Shrimps, crabs, and lobsters form the bulk of the crustacean order Decapoda within the class Malacostraca. There are approximately 15,000 members of this order, which populates diverse habitats around the world. They are often ecologically key species and are important, if not essential, for the functioning of marine, freshwater, and even some terrestrial food webs and ecosystems. Many of the species represent important fisheries resources and aquaculture species. Some of the species, especially lobsters, are among the most valuable and prized seafood, while others are important sources of marine bio-compounds. Due to their importance, some decapod species have undergone a reasonably thorough investigation. However, in general, the sheer number of species and their biodiversity mean that this group remains under-researched and is far from sufficiently understood. In addition, research often focuses on aquaculture species due to their economic importance and the ease of researching them in captivity. Other, less economically valuable species have received much less attention. There is, therefore, a mounting need for further studies in shrimps, crabs, and lobsters. As such, the aim of this Special Issue is to provide an update on all aspects of biological research into shrimps, crabs, and lobsters.

Prof. Dr. Lutz Auerswald
Guest Editor

Manuscript Submission Information

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Keywords

  • Crustacea
  • Decapoda
  • biology
  • fishery
  • aquaculture
  • ecology
  • bio-compounds
  • seafood
  • physiology
  • immunology
  • genetics

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Related Special Issue

Published Papers (3 papers)

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Research

15 pages, 927 KB  
Article
UV-B Resistance in Artemia: A Comparative Analysis Across Altitudinal Gradients, Development Stages, and Reproductive Modes
by Jiawei Xu, Cheng Ma, Bingheng Chen, Yunhao Guo, Malik Qammar, Yingguo Gan, Xiaoqi Yu and Zhichao Wang
Biology 2025, 14(12), 1763; https://doi.org/10.3390/biology14121763 - 10 Dec 2025
Viewed by 207
Abstract
The Artemia exhibit broad environmental adaptability and distinct reproductive modes, making them ideal for studying stress tolerance. Solar UV-B radiation poses a threat to aquatic organisms; however, for Artemia—a key aquatic organism characterized by a wide altitudinal distribution range and unique reproductive [...] Read more.
The Artemia exhibit broad environmental adaptability and distinct reproductive modes, making them ideal for studying stress tolerance. Solar UV-B radiation poses a threat to aquatic organisms; however, for Artemia—a key aquatic organism characterized by a wide altitudinal distribution range and unique reproductive modes—it remains unclear how their UV-B resistance varies with altitudinal gradients, developmental stages, and reproductive modes. Here, we evaluated six Artemia species/lineages (three bisexual species, three parthenogenetic lineages) from 113 to 4700 m altitude across three developmental stages (embryo, nauplius, adult) under gradient UV-B doses. Key results: (1) UV-B resistance showed a dose-dependent positive correlation with altitude, especially under high-dose UV-B (6.4 kJ·m−2, R2 = 0.72, p < 0.01); (2) Adults had the highest resistance, while nauplii were the most vulnerable; (3) Bisexual species had 41–57% higher adult survival rates than parthenogenetic lineages at similar altitudes, but parthenogenetic lineages showed higher embryo relative hatching rates. These findings clarify the adaptive traits of Artemia in response to UV-B stress. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Biological Research into Shrimps, Crabs and Lobsters (2nd Edition))
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12 pages, 5163 KB  
Article
Morphology and Histological Observation of the Male Reproductive System in the Swimming Crab (Portunus trituberculatus)
by Hao Wang, Nahayo Viateur, Litao Wan, Peng Tan, Jie He and Lijian Xue
Biology 2025, 14(12), 1697; https://doi.org/10.3390/biology14121697 - 28 Nov 2025
Viewed by 267
Abstract
The swimming crab (Portunus trituberculatus) is an economically important marine crab species in China. Understanding the structure and function of the male reproductive system in the swimming crab is crucial for increasing reproductive efficiency. Although studies on its reproductive biology have [...] Read more.
The swimming crab (Portunus trituberculatus) is an economically important marine crab species in China. Understanding the structure and function of the male reproductive system in the swimming crab is crucial for increasing reproductive efficiency. Although studies on its reproductive biology have increased in recent years, the ultrastructure of the male copulatory system remains insufficiently explored. In this study, gonadal tissues [testes (T), anterior vas deferens (AVD), middle vas deferens (MVD), posterior vas deferens (PVD)] and copulatory organs [first gonopod (G1), second gonopod (G2), penis] of P. trituberculatus were sampled as experimental materials, and we systematically investigated the morphological and functional characteristics of male reproductive and copulatory organs in P. trituberculatus using anatomical, stereomicroscopic and scanning electron microscopic techniques. The results indicate that the male copulatory system comprises the G1, G2, and the penis. The G1 shows a tubular structure, with its endopodite bearing spines that anchor the female during copulation. The G2 is short, stout, solid and rod-shaped, with surface folds and blunt teeth, indicating its role in propelling the spermatophore within the G1. The penis is flexible and covered with elongated, rigid setae. Internally, the reproductive system displays a bilaterally symmetrical “H”-shaped architecture, consisting of the testes; anterior, middle, and posterior vas deferens; and the ejaculatory ducts. These segments have different structures and function in forming, storing, and transporting spermatophores. These findings provide important insights into the reproductive strategies and mating mechanisms of P. trituberculatus. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Biological Research into Shrimps, Crabs and Lobsters (2nd Edition))
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15 pages, 1707 KB  
Article
A Dynamic Energy Budget Model for the Non-Continuous and Biphasic Growth of the Pond-Cultured Swimming Crab, Portunus trituberculatus
by Yi Jiang, Fan Lin, Jingyan Zhang, Ming Bao, Baoquan Gao, Jitao Li and Xianliang Meng
Biology 2025, 14(12), 1682; https://doi.org/10.3390/biology14121682 - 26 Nov 2025
Viewed by 266
Abstract
The swimming crab, Portunus trituberculatus, is an important mariculture crustacean species in China. To quantitatively characterize its discontinuous and biphasic growth under intensive aquaculture conditions, we developed a modified growth model based on the dynamic energy budget (DEB) theory. The model incorporates [...] Read more.
The swimming crab, Portunus trituberculatus, is an important mariculture crustacean species in China. To quantitatively characterize its discontinuous and biphasic growth under intensive aquaculture conditions, we developed a modified growth model based on the dynamic energy budget (DEB) theory. The model incorporates a discontinuous growth representation that explicitly accounts for the molting process. Molting events were parameterized using a threshold ratio (α), defined as the carbon weight-to-wet weight ratio, with stage-dependent critical values derived from laboratory experiments and published datasets. Laboratory experiments were designed to estimate the energy-budget-related parameters together with data from the literature. In addition, by introducing a feedback mechanism for the energy demand of ovarian development, a set of κ values was calibrated with data from the literature to reproduce the stage-specific growth determined by ovarian development. The model was validated with growth data from several published studies related to the growth of P. trituberculatus, as well as measurements from the aquaculture ponds. Multiple goodness-of-fit indices (R-square, modeling efficiency, and Theil’s inequality coefficient) confirmed that the modified DEB model accurately reproduced both wet weight and ovarian growth trajectories, along with the characteristic non-continuous pattern of molting-driven wet weight increase. The individual growth model can be a useful tool for optimizing the intensive culture practice of the swimming crab in the aquaculture ponds and assessing the environmental impact of crab aquaculture. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Biological Research into Shrimps, Crabs and Lobsters (2nd Edition))
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