2. Decapod Crustaceans (Lobsters, Crabs, Shrimps)
According to the taxonomic update of decapod crustaceans prepared by Grana (2005 b),
a total of 361 species, included in 65 families have been reported from Puerto Rico and
the U. S. Virgin Islands at depths of at least 30 m (Table 19). Some of the most
specious families include the Panopeidae (Mud crabs – 28 spp), Galatheidae (Squat
lobsters – 25 spp), Mithacidae (Clinging crabs – 23 spp), Xanthidae (Rubble crabs – 20
spp), and Penaeidae (Penaeid shrimps - 16 spp). The actual species richness may be
biased towards representative organisms of habitat (substrate) types more effectively
sampled by dredging gear. Most of the species (209) have been collected from upper
slope habitats, within a depth range of 30 - 200 m.
Specious rich families of decapod crustaceans from the upper slope include the
Mithracidae (19 spp.), Alphidae (Snapping shrimps – 13 spp.), Pinnotheridae (Pea crabs
– 10 spp), Paguridae (Right-handed hermit crabs – 9 spp), Diageneidae (Left-handed
hermit crabs – 8 spp), and Penaeidae (8 spp). From the mid-slope, at depths between
201 – 500 m, a total of 81 species have been reported. The most specious families
within this depth range include the Xanthidae and Paguridae with seven spp, Palicidae
(Stilt crabs) with five spp, and the Panopeidae (Mud crabs), Calappidae (Box crabs),
Leucosidae (Purse crabs) and Galatheidae with four species each. From the base of the
insular slope, at (max) depths between 500 – 1200 m, the most specious families
include the Galatheidae (11 spp), Pandalidae (Stretched shrimps - 7 spp.) and Penaidae
(5 spp.). Below a depth of 1,200 m, a total of 19 species have been reported. Both the
Galatheidae and the Polychelidae (Clawed shrimps) include four species reported below
1,200 m within their family group. The deepest record is from Ethusina abyssicola (Fam.
Dorippidae – Sumo crabs), collected from a depth of 4, 026 m. Many decapod
crustaceans from deep water habitats exhibit wide bathymetric ranges that may
encompass 500 m or more. This includes a group of at least 80 species.
From our observations in deep hermatypic reefs of Puerto Rico, at depths between 30
and 50 m, the most abundant species of (megabenthic, non-criptic) decapod
crustaceans include the Banded coral shrimp, Stenopus hispidus, and the Arrow crab,
Stenorhinchus seticornis. The later was not included in the updated taxonomic review by
Grana (2005 b).
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According to the taxonomic update of decapod crustaceans prepared by Grana (2005 b),
a total of 361 species, included in 65 families have been reported from Puerto Rico and
the U. S. Virgin Islands at depths of at least 30 m (Table 19). Some of the most
specious families include the Panopeidae (Mud crabs – 28 spp), Galatheidae (Squat
lobsters – 25 spp), Mithacidae (Clinging crabs – 23 spp), Xanthidae (Rubble crabs – 20
spp), and Penaeidae (Penaeid shrimps - 16 spp). The actual species richness may be
biased towards representative organisms of habitat (substrate) types more effectively
sampled by dredging gear. Most of the species (209) have been collected from upper
slope habitats, within a depth range of 30 - 200 m.
Specious rich families of decapod crustaceans from the upper slope include the
Mithracidae (19 spp.), Alphidae (Snapping shrimps – 13 spp.), Pinnotheridae (Pea crabs
– 10 spp), Paguridae (Right-handed hermit crabs – 9 spp), Diageneidae (Left-handed
hermit crabs – 8 spp), and Penaeidae (8 spp). From the mid-slope, at depths between
201 – 500 m, a total of 81 species have been reported. The most specious families
within this depth range include the Xanthidae and Paguridae with seven spp, Palicidae
(Stilt crabs) with five spp, and the Panopeidae (Mud crabs), Calappidae (Box crabs),
Leucosidae (Purse crabs) and Galatheidae with four species each. From the base of the
insular slope, at (max) depths between 500 – 1200 m, the most specious families
include the Galatheidae (11 spp), Pandalidae (Stretched shrimps - 7 spp.) and Penaidae
(5 spp.). Below a depth of 1,200 m, a total of 19 species have been reported. Both the
Galatheidae and the Polychelidae (Clawed shrimps) include four species reported below
1,200 m within their family group. The deepest record is from Ethusina abyssicola (Fam.
Dorippidae – Sumo crabs), collected from a depth of 4, 026 m. Many decapod
crustaceans from deep water habitats exhibit wide bathymetric ranges that may
encompass 500 m or more. This includes a group of at least 80 species.
From our observations in deep hermatypic reefs of Puerto Rico, at depths between 30
and 50 m, the most abundant species of (megabenthic, non-criptic) decapod
crustaceans include the Banded coral shrimp, Stenopus hispidus, and the Arrow crab,
Stenorhinchus seticornis. The later was not included in the updated taxonomic review by
Grana (2005 b).
72