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Symbioses of decapod crustaceans along the coast of Espírito Santo, Brazil

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  11 December 2009

Peter Wirtz*
Affiliation:
Centro de Ciencias do Mar do Algarve, Campus de Gambelas, P 8000-117 Faro, Portugal
Gustavo de Melo
Affiliation:
Museu de Zoologia da Universidade de São Paulo, Avenida Nazareth 481, Ipiranga, 04263-000 São Paulo, Brazil
Sammy de Grave
Affiliation:
Oxford University Museum of Natural History, Parks Road, Oxford, OX1 3PW, United Kingdom
*
Corresponding should be addressed to: P. Wirtz, Centro de Ciencias do Mar do Algarve, Campus de Gambelas, P 8000-117 Faro, Portugal email: peterwirtz2004@yahoo.com

Abstract

Potential host species were searched for decapod crustaceans along the coasts of Espírito Santo State, Brazil. On five species of sea anemones checked, nine species of decapods were encountered. On three species of black coral checked, two decapod species were encountered. On six species of gorgonians checked, three species of decapods were encountered. In nine species of bivalves and one species of gastropod checked, one decapod species was encountered. On three sea urchin species checked, three decapod species were encountered. A further seven potential host species investigated did not have macroscopically visible symbiotic decapods. Four of these 18 symbiotic decapod species represent new records for the State of Espírito Santo, five species represent new records for Brazil, and at least one species (probably three) were new for science. The sea anemone Condylactis gigantea harboured the largest number of symbionts (eight species) and the shrimp Neopontonides sp. occurred on the largest number of hosts (four different species of gorgonians).

Information

Type
Research Article
Copyright
Copyright © Marine Biological Association of the United Kingdom 2009
Figure 0

Fig. 1. The spider crab Stenorhynchus seticornis associated with Condylactis gigantea.

Figure 1

Fig. 2. Condylactis gigantea with Metoporhaphis calcarata.

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Fig. 3. Condylactis gigantea with Periclimenes pedersoni.

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Fig. 4. Condylactis gigantea with Lysmata ankeri.

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Fig. 5. Aiptasiid with Alpheus aff. armatus.

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Fig. 6. Tanacetipathes sp. 1 in 19 m depth at Ilha Escalvada.

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Fig. 7. Tanacetipathes sp. 2 in 40 m depth at Baiuana.

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Fig. 8. Cirripathes (secchini ?) in 42 m depth at Baiuana, host of Pseudopontonides principes.

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Fig. 9. Muricea flamma with Neopontonides sp. and Periclimenes guarapari.

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Fig. 10. The sampled colony of Lophogorgia violacea (photograph by Jean-Christophe Joyeux), host of Pseudocoutierea conchae.

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Fig. 11. The sampled colony of an unidentified white gorgonian (photograph by Jean-Christophe Joyeux), host of Neopontonides sp.

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Fig. 12. Plexaurella pumila in the foreground, P. grandiflora behind it (Ilha Escalvada, about 10 m depth).

Figure 12

Fig. 13. Phyllogorgia dilatata, host of Neopontonides sp.

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Fig. 14. Gnathophylloides mineri on Tripneustes ventricosus (new record for Espírito Santo).

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Fig. 15. Dissodactylus crinitichelis on unidentified irregular sea urchin.

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Fig. 16. Holothuriophilus tomentosus on unidentified irregular sea urchin.

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Table 1. The symbiotic crustaceans and their host species.