Resumo em Inglês:

Abstract The present paper describes a new species of freshwater crayfish of the genus Parastacus Huxley, 1879 from the municipality of Amaral Ferrador in the state of Rio Grande do Sul, southern Brazil, evaluates its conservation status according to the IUCN Red List Criteria (sub-criterion B1), and updates the identification key for the genus. Parastacus longidactylus sp. n. differs from all analyzed species by the large eyes, the prominent and wide rostral carinae, surpassing the rostral basis and extending to the proximal third of the postorbital carinae, postorbital carinae and rostral carinae prominent and with similar lengths, chelipeds carpus dorsomedial surface not divided longitudinally by groove and long dactylus, surpassing the fixed finger. The possible extent of occurrence was estimated to be 6,968 km² and the species was recorded in only one location in the Camaquã River basin. The main threats to the region are the replacement of native vegetation by crops and livestock, water pollution and soil erosion. However, because there is only one known location where Parastacus longidactylus sp. n. occurs we suggest classifying the species as Data Deficient.

Resumo em Inglês:

Abstract Heterochely is an important phenomenon in decapod crustaceans. Nevertheless, it was rarely examined in freshwater crayfish. Therefore, the aim of this study was to investigate cheliped loss and abnormalities of the narrow-clawed crayfish, Pontastacus leptodactylus. The crayfish samples were captured using 17 mm mesh-sized fyke-nets from Atikhisar Reservoir in Çanakkale, Turkey between July 2020 and June 2021. The cheliped loss was classified and compared between sexes and length groups. The cheliped surface was calculated for each specimen for both the right and left cheliped. Results of the study indicate that the percentages of the sampled individuals were 5.46% for the right cheliped missing group, 5.23% for the left cheliped missing group, 10.37% for both chelipeds missing group, and 78.94% for both chelipeds present group. There was a statistical difference between cheliped loss and size groups (p < 0.05). Although cheliped loss is almost non-existent in low-size groups (10.0-29.9 mm), it reaches high values in the 40.0-69.9 mm size groups. The most intense loss occurs in the 40.0-49.9 and 50.0-59.9 mm size groups. It was determined that 10.69% of the sampled individuals examined had a single cheliped (10.03% female, 11.14% male). A statistically significant difference was found between cheliped loss and sex (p < 0.05). The percentage of female and male individuals with no chelipeds is 9.83% for females and 10.73% for males, and with both chelipeds it is 80.14% for females and 78.14% for males. While the number of abnormalities observed in chelipeds was higher in males, abnormalities in both chelipeds were higher in females. Moreover, it was found that cheliped loss significantly differed according to the months of collection (p < 0.05). Cheliped losses increased in July, August, and September when feeding was comparatively intense. In conclusion, the fact that the individuals were obtained alive, was an indication that the abnormalities detected did not significantly affect their vital activities directly. However, morphological abnormalities in the appendages, especially in the chelipeds, may impair their functional use compared to a healthy cheliped. This abnormal condition is assumed to share the disadvantageous limitations experienced by the absence of a cheliped.

Resumo em Inglês:

Abstract Despite the recent increase in knowledge about Brazilian Cladoceromorpha (Cladocera and Cyclestherida), this group of fauna is poorly known in some regions of the country, including Alagoas State. Based on the literature and a few original samples, the present paper reports 35 species of Cladoceromorpha from Alagoas, 18 of which are new records for the state. The observed taxa are illustrated. In addition, distributional and taxonomic comments on selected taxa are provided.

Resumo em Inglês:

ABSTRACT The calanoid copepod family Epacteriscidae is one of the most representative cave-dwelling copepods worldwide, especially in the Caribbean region. We provide new records of two epacteriscid copepods from anchialine habitats of the Yucatan Peninsula (YP); both were previously known only from their type locality in Jamaica and Caicos Islands. We document the occurrence of Edaxiella rubra Fosshagen, Boxshall and Iliffe, 2001 in Cozumel Island and Bofuriella spinosa Fosshagen and Iliffe, 2007 in Playa del Carmen, the adjacent continental region of the YP. We found slight morphological differences compared to the original descriptions of both species, including some characters not previously described; also, the male of B. spinosa remained unknown and is herein described. These records show the growth of the epacteriscid copepod listings and expand the morphological knowledge of these species in the Yucatan Peninsula into the Western Caribbean, likely harboring one of the most diverse anchialine copepod fauna worldwide and currently going through intense anthropogenic pressure, thus enhancing the intrinsic value of these new findings. It is expected that new samplings will reveal the true diversity and distribution of the Mexican Caribbean anchialine copepod fauna, where knowledge of its biological diversity is still incipient.

Resumo em Inglês:

Abstract Herpyllobiid copepods are highly transformed mesoparasites that infect marine benthic polychaete annelids. The genus Herpyllobius Steenstrup and Lütken, 1861, the most diverse in the family, was known to infect exclusively polychaetes of the family Polynoidae, but it was recently reported also on another family. Species of Herpyllobius have been reported mainly from cold latitudes including Arctic and Antarctic areas, except for two subtropical species. During the taxonomic examination of flabelligerid polychaetes collected from a Western Australian coral reef system, a mesoparasitic copepod was found infecting a specimen of Lamispina horsti (Haswell, 1892). The copepod represents an undescribed species of Herpyllobius. The new species, Herpyllobius paulayi n. sp. belongs to a group of congeneric species (Group III) lacking intergenital processes or sclerotized dots. It diverges from the other species in this group by its possession of a unique combination of characters: 1) a globose ectosoma with pilose surface; 2) elongate, thick cylindrical egg sacs with +10 egg rows; 3) endosoma discoid, short, with two lateral, asymmetrical flattened processes and a medial lobe; 4) it attaches to the host prostomium; and 5) it infects a non-polynoid subtropical polychaete species.

Resumo em Inglês:

Abstract Isopods of the suborder Cymothoida include ectoparasite species that cause physical damage and affect the development of the host by feeding on blood and tissues. On fishes, these parasites attach themselves to the skin, fins, gills, and oral cavity using claws on articulated legs. The ability to remain hidden in cavities even after the fish is caught enables isopods to be transported to new areas along with the host, making these parasites potential co-invaders. Understanding the role and environmental impact of parasites is essential, although research on parasitism in the context of biological invasions lags in comparison to general research on such invasions. Previous records indicate only two species of parasitic isopods in the São Francisco River basin. However, the present study reports the first record of two other species (Braga patagonica and Braga nasuta) on Pygocentrus piraya and in the basin itself. This demonstrates a lack of knowledge regarding fish parasites in the region, despite the presence of other parasites. Collaborations with research groups conducting fish sampling in the basin can contribute to expanding knowledge on these parasites and the training of human resources in fish parasitology. The present study provides important information on the presence of unidentified parasitic isopods on fishes in the São Francisco River basin, underscoring the need for further studies and expanding the geographic distribution of these parasites, as well as the host list for these isopods.

Resumo em Inglês:

Abstract Intermediate metabolism and oxidative balance markers help to better understand environmental dynamics and how they influence the physiological patterns of organisms. Procambarus clarkii (Girard, 1852), a crayfish native to the United States of America and Mexico, represents an appealing case study for understanding invasive species’ metabolic dynamics. This species has sexual dimorphism and two male morphotypes: reproductive (M1) and non-reproductive (M2). We evaluated the seasonal variations of biomarkers in M1 and M2 males, collected in each season of 2016 at Parque Alfredo Volpi (São Paulo, Brazil). Hemolymph, hepatopancreas and abdominal muscle samples were extracted to determine markers of intermediate metabolism, oxidative balance, the hepatosomatic index and the stomach repletion degree. The results showed differences between the two male morphotypes. M1 showed a predominance of medium to full stomachs throughout the year, with an allocation of energetic substrates mainly used in reproduction (gametogenesis and reproductive behaviors). They also presented increased lipoperoxidation, SOD and GST activities. M2, on the other hand, had a lower capacity to allocate energy reserves in the period leading up to and during reproduction, which may be associated with a lower degree of gastric repletion. However, M2 maintained alternating antioxidant strategies that helped preserve low levels of lipoperoxidation in the hepatopancreas throughout the year. This pattern observed for the degree of gastric repletion indicates an intraspecific competition between the categories of males, which, together with the profile of energy reserve usage, seems decisive for M2 to reproduce.