Search Results (127)

This study provides a comprehensive assessment of 12 metal(loid)s in the muscle tissue of the commercially vital shrimp, Penaeus semisulcatus, from four stations (Bozyazi, Silifke, Karatas, and Iskenderun) along the Northeastern Mediterranean. Metal concentrations were evaluated separately for males and females, utilizing Estimated Weekly Intake (EWI), Target Hazard Quotient (THQ), Carcinogenic Risk (CR), and Selenium Health Benefit Value (HBV_Se) indices. While the species is generally safe for consumption across the region, a striking, localized bioaccumulation of Chromium (Cr) was identified specifically in Iskenderun Bay, where male shrimps exhibited concentrations (1.209 mg/kg wet weight) approximately 10-fold higher than females, highlighting a sex-specific sensitivity likely linked to metabolic and physiological differences. By adopting a precautionary risk assessment framework—considering the region’s intense industrial profile—this localized spike resulted in a Total Carcinogenic Risk (∑CR = 5.15 × 10⁻⁴) for this group, exceeding the priority threshold. Furthermore, widespread Lead (Pb) contamination was detected across all stations, with several samples surpassing EU maximum levels (0.50 mg/kg). Regarding Arsenic (As), while high total concentrations led to THQ values > 1 across the regional gradient, this was characterized as a conservative modeling artifact rather than a physiological threat, as Arsenic in crustaceans is predominantly in the non-toxic organic form. Conversely, any potential risk from Mercury (Hg) was conclusively mitigated by an overwhelming molar excess of Selenium (Se) at all locations, confirmed by consistently positive HBV_Se values (0.312–0.658). In conclusion, our findings demonstrate that seafood safety is conditional and region-specific. The study underscores that localized contamination “hotspots” can be easily masked by non-sex-specific sampling and emphasizes the necessity of moving beyond simplistic risk models by incorporating selenium-mercury antagonism and precautionary risk assumptions for industrial pollutants. Full article

Two African crab species are recorded for the first time for the Mediterranean Sea. On the one hand, eight individuals of the mud crab Panopeus africanus were found in the port of Gandía, València, Spain. On the other hand, one zoea larva of the pebble crab Ilia spinosa was identified in plankton samples collected in coastal waters adjacent to L’Albufera, València, Spain. These two Mediterranean findings represent the second records for these two African crab species outside their native Atlantic distributions. Identifications were confirmed using DNA barcoding. Comparisons with other African decapod species introduced into the Mediterranean are made to assess whether they may have followed similar transport patterns, which include two main pathways, natural larval expansion from nearby Atlantic populations or accidental transport mediated by ships’ ballast water or hull fouling. Full article

Sandy beaches are dynamic intertidal ecosystems where ecological interactions play a critical yet often overlooked role in shaping community structure and population dynamics. This study presents a global synthesis of ecological interactions involving mole crabs of the genus Emerita (Crustacea: Decapoda: Hippidae), complemented by new field and laboratory findings. Through a literature review and targeted sampling, we documented multiple interaction types, including predation, parasitism, epibiosis, competition, and symbiosis, highlighting their ecological and potential evolutionary implications. Predation and parasitism were the most frequently reported interactions worldwide. Our new empirical observations revealed, for the first time, the association of Eucheilota (Hydrozoa) and Maritrema sp. (Digenea) with E. rathbunae, as well as annual infection patterns by Profilicollis altmani (Acanthocephala) and algal epibiosis in E. brasiliensis. These interactions influence key biological processes such as burrowing, reproduction, and survival, ultimately affecting species distribution and population structure. Overall, our findings reinforce the central role of ecological interactions in the functioning and conservation of sandy beach ecosystems, particularly under growing anthropogenic pressures. Full article

Background: This study determined the complete mitochondrial genome sequence of the marine crab to elucidate its phylogenetic position within Heterotremata, specifically the superfamily Goneplacoidea, and to explore the biological significance of its genetic composition and arrangement. Methods: The complete mitochondrial genome of Eucrate alcocki was sequenced using the Illumina platform and de novo assembled. Genome annotation and structural analysis were performed using MITOS2 and PhyloSuite. Phylogenetic relationships were reconstructed based on 13 protein-coding genes from 59 heterotrematan species using both Bayesian inference and maximum likelihood methods. Results: The mitochondrial genome of E. alcocki is a circular molecule of 15,720 bp with 72.2% AT content and a unique F-H-ND5 → H-F-ND5 gene rearrangement. Phylogenetic analysis robustly places E. alcocki in a distinct clade with Entricoplax vestita (BI = 1.00, ML = 100%), separate from the congeneric species Eucrate crenata and E. solaris, suggesting potential paraphyly within the genus Eucrate. Conclusions: This discovery provides preliminary evidence suggesting existing crab classification systems and molecular evidence for further understanding the evolutionary history of crabs. Our findings demonstrate that genomic characteristics hold significant value in revealing evolutionary pathways and can serve as a foundation for more comprehensive taxonomic and evolutionary research in the future. Full article

The family Grapsidae is composed of 39 species belonging to seven genera. Currently, larval data are known for 24 out of the 39 species, but the megalopa stage remains unknown for the genera Goniopsis, Grapsus, Leptograpsus, and Planes, although megalopae collected in the plankton have been tentatively attributed to Grapsus and Planes. Thanks to the MALASPINA and MAF research projects, a significant number of megalopae were collected from open-ocean plankton worldwide, and, using DNA barcoding (16S and/or COI genes), a high percentage of them were identified. At the molecular level, Grapsidae have been widely studied, so the availability of barcode sequences in public databases has allowed us to identify the megalopa of Goniopsis pulchra, Grapsus grapsus, Leptograpsus aff. variegatus, Pachygrapsus socius, P. transversus, and Planes minutus. In the present work, these megalopae are described in detail and compared with those previously known. Consequently, for the first time, the morphology of the megalopa stage can be compared across all grapsid genera, and a set of characteristics is defined to identify the grapsid megalopa from the rest of the brachyuran megalopae. Full article

During a taxonomic revision on Caridina of East and Southeast Asia, a group of amphidromous and anchialine Caridina species, i.e., Caridina serratirostris, C. celebensis, C. rubella, C. troglodytes, C. magnovis, C. rintelenorum, and C. henriettae, widely distributed in the Indo-Pacific region has been found to exhibit distinct and unique morphological characters, e.g., rostra moderately long and straight, armed with many dorsal teeth, at least six of them on the carapace; telson terminating in a posteromedian projection; stylocerite long, reaching to or beyond the end of the basal segment of the antennular peduncle; and preanal carina with a spine, and with slender walking legs. Genetically, the group forms a monophyletic clade, either alone or together with the genus Marosina. The clade is well-separated from other species/species groups of Caridina. By taking a conservative taxonomic approach, the genus Marosina is thus redefined to accommodate members of the C. serratirostris species group. The revised genus Marosina can be separated from the typical Caridina species (represented by Caridina typus species group) by the structure of the endopod of the male first pleopod, which does not have an appendix interna, and the long stylocerite, which reaches to or beyond the end of the basal segment of the antennular peduncle, and the high number of postorbital teeth on the carapace. The paper provides a revised diagnosis of Marosina, with a key to all species assigned to it. Diagnosis, taxonomic remarks, habitat, and distribution information for all species are provided. The ecology, biogeography, and conservation of the genus are briefly discussed. Full article

It is important to understand the ecological information of Metapenaeopsis dalei to better conserve and manage the stocks in Asia. In this study, we employed research vessels to collect the field data including biomass and number of M. dalei in each survey stations along with environmental data including depth, water temperature, and salinity from November 2018 to September 2019 in the region of 26.50–35.00° N and 120.00–127.00° E in the southern Yellow and East China Seas of China. We found that the annual mean catch per unit effort of weight and number (CPUE_w and CPUE_n) was 15,235.89 g∙h⁻¹ and 17,319.13 ind∙h⁻¹, respectively. Metapenaeopsis dalei was found in 10–130 m. The greatest biomass occurred at 10–20 m in spring, 30–40 m in summer, 10–100 m in autumn, and 10–40 m in winter. The greatest abundance occurred at sea bottom temperature (SBT) 14–15 °C in spring, 19 °C in summer, 15–20 °C in autumn, and 10–12 °C in winter. The greatest abundance occurred at sea bottom salinity (SBS) 32–33 in spring, 32 in summer, 32–35 in autumn, and 31–32 in winter. We found the lowest SBT of M. dalei at 10–11 °C in spring and summer. The juveniles were found at SBT 21 °C and SBS 34 in autumn. The total CPUE_w and CPUE_n rankings were winter > spring > autumn > summer, and the mean average individual weight (AIW) ranking was summer > spring > winter > autumn. Fishing grounds of Haizhou Bay–Lvsi and Zhoushan–Yushan may be the spawning grounds for M. dalei. These findings can benefit fishery management action and planning in the future. Full article

Crayfish often become invasive when introduced to new waters. From the late 19th to the late 20th century, the commercial import of North American species (e.g., Faxonius limosus, Pacifastacus leniusculus, Procambarus clarkii) into Europe for food, ornamental aquaculture, and restocking native crayfish populations after crayfish plague succeeded due to their adaptability, high reproductive rates, and resilience. Extensive baited-trap monitoring of Piedmont lakes carried in 2025 confirmed the occurrence of two invasive crayfish species (F. limosus, and P. clarkii) in 10 of 17 lakes and recorded P. clarkii for the first time ever in lakes Pistono, San Michele, and Sirio, expanding our knowledge of their distribution in Piedmont freshwaters. Since all detected species are listed as Invasive Alien Species of Union Concern, protecting the ecological integrity of Piedmont’s freshwaters requires coordinated action by member states, regional authorities, policymakers, and water managers to prevent and control their spread and to improve information sharing. Non-native crayfish occurrence is influenced not only by hydrological and habitat connectivity and predator–prey interactions but also by illegal activities that supply the food market. Full article

In male decapods, such as the Norway lobster Nephrops norvegicus, sexual maturity is not easily determined by macroscopic examination of gonads and few studies have been conducted on this topic. Sexual maturity is linked to changes in both external morphology and physiology. This study analyzed the maturity of N. norvegicus males in the Central-Western Mediterranean Sea (Sardinia), focusing on primary sexual characteristics (testes and vasa deferentia) and morphometric traits (appendix masculina and petasma). Since the testes showed no macroscopic changes in size during ontogeny, histological analysis was performed. It revealed that spermatogenesis occurred year-round in the Sardinian population, with the smallest mature individual at 18.3 mm carapace length (CL). All individuals above 23.5 mm CL had testes and vasa deferentia filled with spermatozoa and were considered physiologically mature. Morphometric maturity was observed between 27.7 and 36.2 mm CL, based on appendix masculina and petasma measurements. Despite a close association, secondary sexual characteristic development and physiological maturity were not synchronized, as seen in other crustaceans. This discrepancy likely reflects differences in male reproductive strategies, as males may produce spermatophores at smaller sizes (e.g., 23.5 mm CL), though there is no evidence that such males can successfully inseminate females in the wild. Full article

A mark–recapture experiment was conducted off Mazatlán in the entrance of the Gulf of California to evaluate the growth of juvenile spiny lobsters (Panulirus inflatus). A total of 40 post larvae of spiny lobster were captured, marked, and maintained in plastic cages for 180 days in seawater off Mazatlán, Sinaloa, Mexico (23°12′32.4″ N 106°25′33.2″ W). Carapace length (CL in mm) was measured. Growth was estimated using the Schnute model, which encompasses four primary cases. In this study, two additional variants equivalent to the von Bertalanffy and Logistic models were also incorporated. These six models were parametrized using normal and log-normal distributions of errors. The selection of the best distribution and best model was based on the Akaike information criterion (AIC). The AIC selected the normal distribution of error and sigmoid-shaped curve as best representative of the growth pattern of juvenile spiny lobster P. inflatus. By identifying the asymptotic sigmoidal curve as the best descriptor of juvenile growth, this study offers a reliable foundation for subsequent assessments of population dynamics, resource management, and aquaculture development of P. inflatus. Full article

Zoological collections are essential for preserving regional biodiversity but often lack taxonomic updates, risking data loss. This work supposes the continuation of a review of the African marine crabs housed at the Crustacean collection of the Museo Nacional de Ciencias Naturales (MNCN) in Madrid. Part I, Heterotremata, revealed that only 21.9% of the specimens were correctly identified. In this new study focused on Thoracotremata species, 197 specimens (59 records) were reviewed, and this new study reveals similar results to Part I: 22.9% of the reviewed specimens were previously correctly identified (less than 29% when considering records), meaning that around 77.2% of the African Thoracotremata specimens housed in the MNCN were either misidentified or not identified at all. This highlights the importance of the taxonomic reviews made by specialists of specimens housed in both historical and non-historical scientific collections. This time we have used DNA barcodes (16S and COI) to confirm identifications or to add new molecular data to species without previous DNA sequences known. DNA sequences (16S and/or COI) were obtained for seven species. It has been a challenge to obtain sequences from specimens preserved 60 to 200 years ago. Full article

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. Full article

The mitochondrial genome and 5S rDNA are powerful tools for exploring and confirming species identity and understanding evolutionary trajectories. In addition, evaluating the nutritional value of Cambaroides dauricus by determining and analyzing the nutritional components of its muscles could provide essential data for relevant artificial breeding and food processing. In this study, for the first time, we characterized the mitochondrial genome of Cambaroides dauricus using Illumina sequencing technology. The results showed that the mitochondrial genome was a circular genome of 16,215 bp in length. The average sequencing depth of the mitochondrial genome was 100X. The nucleotide composition of the mitochondrial genome was 33.4% A, 39.1% T, 11.0% C and 16.5% G. Phylogenetic analyses showed that Cambaroides dauricus has a very close relationship with Cambaroides wladiwostokiensis. The results of 5S rDNA showed that the genetic relationship between Procambarus clarkii and Cambaroides dauricus is quite close. After determining the nutritional components of Cambaroides dauricus’ muscles with normal analysis methods, the results revealed that it has a crude protein content of 18.47 ± 0.87 per 100 milligrams, a crude fat content of 0.83 ± 0.12 per 100 milligrams, a crude ash content of 0.63 ± 0.06 per 100 milligrams and a moisture content of 79.8 ± 0.72 per 100 milligrams. There are eight essential amino acids in its protein, accounting for 41.59% of the total amino acids, and the proportion of umami amino acids is 36.27%. This study will provide a valuable basis for further studies of taxonomy, phylogenetic analyses and artificial breeding in Cambaroides dauricus. Full article

The Maghreb region of North Africa, located at the intersection of the Palaearctic and Afrotropical zones, is a biodiversity hotspot for terrestrial and freshwater taxa, including the freshwater crab of genus Potamon Savigny, 1816. Recent molecular studies have suggested the presence of two distinct Potamon species in the region: Potamon algeriense Bott, 1967, and an as-yet undescribed taxon, Potamon sp. However, comprehensive data on their distribution, genetic structure, and conservation status are still lacking. In the present study, we integrate new field collections from Algeria and Morocco (2021–2023) with molecular analyses of mitochondrial (COI, ND1) and nuclear (28S rDNA) markers to assess species boundaries and genetic diversity within Potamon across the Maghreb. Phylogenetic reconstructions based on Maximum Likelihood and Bayesian Inference consistently support the presence of two well-differentiated Potamon lineages in the region, corresponding to P. algeriense in western and central Maghreb, and Potamon sp. in eastern Algeria and Tunisia. While Potamon sp. exhibits low intra-specific genetic variation, P. algeriense displays a deeply structured mitochondrial lineage composition, forming four geographically coherent subclades, each corresponding to distinct hydrological regions. In light of this, it would be advisable to revise the IUCN assessment to include both species and updated information on their distribution. Full article

Seven new species of the genus Cherax from the western region of Western New Guinea, Indonesia, are described and illustrated. All new species—Cherax veritas n. sp. from the southeastern part of Misool Island of Raja Ampat Regency, Southwest Papua; Cherax arguni n. sp. and Cherax kaimana n. sp. from the northern part of Kaimana Regency, West Papua; Cherax nigli n. sp. from the southeastern part of Kaimana Regency, West Papua; Cherax bomberai n. sp. from the northeastern part of the Fakfak Regency, West Papua; Cherax farhadii n. sp. and Cherax doberai n. sp. from the Teluk Bintuni Regency, West Papua—belong to the northern group of Cherax. The new species are compared with their closest relatives, from which they can all be easily distinguished by morphological characters, such as the shape of the chelae, rostrum, body, and by their coloration. A molecular phylogeny based on a mitochondrial gene fragment, 16S, supports the morphology-based description of the seven new species, which can also be clearly distinguished by sequence differences. Full article