Diversity and Ecology of Decapoda
A special issue of Diversity (ISSN 1424-2818). This special issue belongs to the section "Marine Diversity".
Deadline for manuscript submissions: 30 June 2026 | Viewed by 653
Special Issue Editors
Interests: biodiversity; evolution; crustacean
Special Issue Information
Dear Colleagues,
The order Decapoda encompasses a remarkable diversity of crustaceans, including crabs, lobsters, shrimps, and related groups, which occupy an extensive range of marine, freshwater, and even semi-terrestrial environments. This diversity is reflected not only in their morphological and functional traits but also in their evolutionary patterns and ecological roles across ecosystems.
From an ecological perspective, decapods are essential components of aquatic ecosystems. They act as predators, prey, detritivores, and ecosystem engineers, influencing food webs, shaping benthic communities, and contributing to nutrient cycling. Their ecological roles, combined with their global distribution, highlight their importance not only for ecosystem functioning, but also for human societies, particularly through fisheries, aquaculture, and cultural value.
Nevertheless, there is still a significant lack of information regarding the diversity and distribution of decapod species in many geographic regions, especially in areas where systematic surveys and long-term monitoring remain scarce. Filling these knowledge gaps is crucial to better understanding patterns of biodiversity, species endemism, and ecological resilience.
Despite their importance, many decapod populations are increasingly threatened by climate change, habitat degradation, overfishing, and invasive species. Understanding the interplay between their biodiversity, ecological functions, and geographic distribution is therefore fundamental for developing conservation strategies and promoting sustainable resource management.
This Special Issue, “Diversity and Ecology of Decapoda”, aims to provide a comprehensive platform for exploring current research and new perspectives on this group. We encourage submissions on taxonomy, systematics, population dynamics, trophic ecology, functional morphology, biogeography, conservation biology, and applied studies that contribute to advancing our understanding of decapod diversity and their ecological significance.
Dr. Fabrício Carvalho
Prof. Dr. Erminda da Conceição Guerreiro Couto
Guest Editors
Manuscript Submission Information
Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 250 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for assessment.
Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Diversity is an international peer-reviewed open access monthly journal published by MDPI.
Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2100 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.
Keywords
- functional morphology
- population biology
- species distribution
- systematics and taxonomy
- trophic ecology
- biogeography
- conservation biology
Benefits of Publishing in a Special Issue
- Ease of navigation: Grouping papers by topic helps scholars navigate broad scope journals more efficiently.
- Greater discoverability: Special Issues support the reach and impact of scientific research. Articles in Special Issues are more discoverable and cited more frequently.
- Expansion of research network: Special Issues facilitate connections among authors, fostering scientific collaborations.
- External promotion: Articles in Special Issues are often promoted through the journal's social media, increasing their visibility.
- Reprint: MDPI Books provides the opportunity to republish successful Special Issues in book format, both online and in print.
Further information on MDPI's Special Issue policies can be found here.
