Embryo production in the sponge-dwelling snapping shrimp Synalpheus apioceros (Decapoda, Alpheidae) from Bocas del Toro, Panama

Abstract

Caridean shrimps of the genus Synalpheus are abundant and widely distributed in tropical and subtropical regions, but knowledge of their reproductive biology remains scarce. We report reproductive traits of Synalpheus apioceros from Bocas del Toro, Panama, based on collections in August 2011. The 46 ovigerous females that were analyzed ranged in size from 3.8 to 7.4 mm in carapace length. Fecundity varied between 8 and 310 embryos and increased with female size. Females invested 18.6 ± 10.3% of their body weight in Embryo production. Embryo volume increased considerably (77.2%) during embryogenesis, likely representing water uptake near the end of incubation period. Compared to Synalpheus species with abbreviated or direct development, Synalpheus apioceros produced substantially smaller embryos; however, Synalpheus apioceros seems to have a prolonged larval phase with at least five zoeal stages, which may explain the combination of relatively small and numerous embryos. We did not find nonviable, minute, chalky embryos, previously reported for Synalpheus apioceros specimens obtained from the northwestern Gulf of Mexico, which supports the hypothesis that the production of this type of embryos may be a physiological response of this warm-water species to the temperature decrease near to its latitudinal range limit.

Fecundity, embryo size and embryo loss in the estuarine shrimp Salmoneus carvachoi Anker, 2007 (Crustacea: Alpheidae) from a tidal mudflat in northeastern Brazil

“…In S. carvachoi, a weak positive correlation was observed between fecundity and female size (CL). This result differs from what has been observed in most of studies on caridean shrimps (Balasundaram & Pandian, 1982;Bauer, 1991;Corey & Reid, 1991;Anger & Moreira, 1998, Pavanelli et al, 2008, 2010Costa-Souza et al, 2014;Rebolledo et al, 2014;Pescinelli et al, 2016). A positive correlation between fecundity and SW (sternite width), and between fecundity and PW (width of the pleura of the second abdominal somite) was observed.…”

“…A similar fecundity was observed in two other species of Synalpheus: S. agelas and S. herricki (Table 2). The low fecundity of S. carvachoi, as compared to most species of Synalpheus, Alpheus, and Betaeus (Corey & Reid, 1991;Rebolledo et al, 2014;Soledade et al, 2017), is probably related to its small body size, which offers less space in the body cavity to accommodate oocyte growth during ovarian maturation, and less space in the abdomen to carry a large embryo mass (Bauer, 1991;Corey & Reid, 1991).…”

“…The increase in embryo volume and the concomitant embryo loss along the embryo development have also been observed in carideans (Balasundaram & Pandian, 1982;Corey & Reid, 1991;Anger & Moreira, 1998). Within the family Alpheidae, this has been seen in species of the genus Alpheus Fabricius, 1798 (Fernández-Muñoz & García-Raso, 1987;Bauer, 1991;Corey & Reid, 1991;Wehrtmann & Graeve, 1998;Atkinson et al, 2003;Pavanelli et al, 2008Pavanelli et al, , 2010Harikrishnan et al, 2010;Costa-Souza et al, 2014;Pescinelli et al, 2016;Soledade et al, 2017), Betaeus Dana, 1852 (Lardies & Wehrtmann, 1997, 2001 and Synalpheus Spence Bate, 1888 (Corey & Reid, 1991;Hernáez et al, 2010;Rebolledo et al, 2014).…”

Epibiont community composition of red mangroves Rhizophora mangle are contingent on root characteristics

“…However, there remains a lack of experimental tests addressing how root traits predict their function in shaping the composition of associated organisms. Sponges and bivalves are dominant groups found on subtidal mangrove roots within the Caribbean (Guerra-Castro et al 2016) and are often assumed to be secondary foundation species (Altieri & Van De Koppel 2013, Aquino-Thomas & Proffitt 2014 because of the structural complexity they add to the mangrove system, which can provide refuge to a speciose invertebrate community (Henkel & Pawlik 2011, Rebolledo et al 2014. Additionally, specific sponge species may serve as biological indicators of mangrove epibenthic community health (e.g.…”