Distribution and Ecology of Decapod Crustaceans in Mediterranean Marine Caves: A Review

Abstract

Decapod crustaceans are important components of the fauna of marine caves worldwide, yet information on their ecology is still scarce. Mediterranean marine caves are perhaps the best known of the world and may offer paradigms to the students of marine cave decapods from other geographic regions. This review summarizes and updates the existing knowledge about the decapod fauna of Mediterranean marine caves on the basis of a dataset of 76 species from 133 caves in 13 Mediterranean countries. Most species were found occasionally, while 15 species were comparatively frequent (found in at least seven caves). They comprise cryptobiotic and bathyphilic species that only secondarily colonize caves (secondary stygobiosis). Little is known about the population biology of cave decapods, and quantitative data are virtually lacking. The knowledge on Mediterranean marine cave decapods is far from being complete. Future research should focus on filling regional gaps and on the decapod ecological role: getting out at night to feed and resting in caves during daytime, decapods may import organic matter to the cave ecosystem. Some decapod species occurring in caves are protected by law. Ecological interest and the need for conservation initiatives combine to claim for intensifying research on the decapod fauna of the Mediterranean Sea caves.

Ecology and Distribution of Red King Crab Larvae in the Barents Sea: A Review

“…Population fluctuations of most crab species are associated with recruitment variability [141,142]. Total crab abundances tend to increase through recruitment and decrease due to catch and natural mortality [24,25,30,31].…”

Introduced species in Mediterranean marine caves: an increasing but neglected threat

“…One possible explanation for the low number of introduced species reported from the dark zone of marine caves is that this confined and oligotrophic habitat limits -at least to some level -the establishment of some introduced species (Gerovasileiou et al, 2016;Bianchi et al, 2022). Nevertheless, some species can have a high abundance in sea caves, particularly motile species that conduct diel migrations.…”

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

“…Although the community assemblages, distribution, and abundance of decapod crustacean fauna were described from many authors in the Western, Central, and Eastern Mediterranean Basin [22][23][24][25][26][27][28][29][30][31][32][33][34], there are still significant gaps in the understanding of their distribution and ecology. In this regard, the resulting faunal picture of decapod crustaceans in the Italian seas is affected by the intensity of the research activity carried out in the various geographical zones considered, and the knowledge on the real distribution of some species is lacking, especially for those difficult to catch [18].…”

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