Deconstructing the crustacean squat lobster genus

Abstract

Unravelling the evolutionary history of taxa requires solid delimitation of the traits characterising these. This can be challenging especially in groups with a highly complex taxonomy. The squat lobster family Munididae contains more than 450 species distributed among 21 genera, Munida being the most speciose (~300 species). Previous phylogenetic studies, based on a small part of the diversity of the group, have suggested polyphyletic origins for Munida and the paraphyly of Munididae. Here, we use an integrative approach based on multi-locus phylogenies (two mitochondrial and three nuclear markers) paired with 120 morphological characters, to resolve taxonomic and evolutionary relationships within Munididae. Our study covers ~60% of the family’s known diversity (over 800 specimens of 291 species belonging to 19 of the 21 genera collected from the Atlantic, Indian and Pacific oceans). Using this information, we confirm the validity of most genera, proposing new ones in cases where the genetic analyses are compatible with morphological characters. Four well-defined munidid clades were recovered, suggesting that new genera should be erected in the currently recognised Munididae (three for the genus Agononida and eleven in Munida), and the genus Grimothea is resurrected. A key to all genera of the family is presented. Molecular clock estimates and ancestral biogeographic area reconstructions complement the taxonomic profiles and suggest some explosive diversification within Munididae during the Cretaceous and the Palaeogene. Further anagenetic events and narrow sympatry accounting for changes in distribution indicate a more limited dispersal capacity than previously considered. Our study unravels how diversification may occur in deep waters and further highlights the importance of the integrative approach in accurately delineating species in understanding the history of a family and the factors driving the evolution. ZooBank LSID: urn:lsid:zoobank.org:pub:16A61C4A-8D96-4372-820F-8EBDF179B43C

Decapod Crustacean Records from A Collection of Marine Soft-Bottom Macrofauna of the Italian Waters Supporting the Update of Checklists and Registers of the Mediterranean Basin

“…Macrozoobenthic samples were further sorted into major taxonomical groups, and the collected decapod crustaceans were counted and classified to the lowest possible taxonomic level by professional stereoscopes (Zeiss Discovery.V20; Leica M165C; Leica M216; Zeiss STEMI 2000) with a maximum magnification of 200 times. The guides used in taxonomic identification were from [36][37][38][39][40][41][42][43][44][45][46][47][48][49][50].…”

Decapods of the Southern Tip of South America and the Marine Protected Area Namuncurá–Burdwood Bank: A Nearshore–Offshore Comparison

“…All the decapods were determined to the species level according to the available literature [7,[43][44][45][46][47][48][49] and when necessary, original descriptions. There were some particular issues regarding the identification of the Eurypodius spp.…”

Chirostyloid and galatheoid anomurans (Crustacea: Decapoda) from Indian waters, with descriptions of three new species

“…Paramunida travancorica sp. nov. differs from its closest species P. bineeshi Macpherson, Chan, Kumar & Rodriguez-Flores, 2020, P. mozambica Cabezas, Macpherson & Machordom, 2010, and P. stichas Macpherson, 1993 in the morphology of the carapace and antennular and antennal peduncles. Munidopsis bhavasagara sp.…”