Ecological niches and areas of overlap of the squat lobster ‘munida’ (Pleuroncodes monodon) and anchoveta (Engraulis ringens) off Peru

Diet diversity of jack and chub mackerels and ecosystem changes in the northern Humboldt Current system: A long-term study

“…The increase of P. monodon in fish diet is consistent with the dramatic increase in P. monodon observed off Peru since the late 1990s (Gutiérrez et al, 2008). Similarly, the population of coastal sand crab Emerita analoga, which makes the bulk of zoea larvae (Blaskovic' et al, 2009), was likely favoured by the increase in productivity observed off Peru during the last decades (Sifeddine et al, 2008;).…”

“…However, oxygen may also play a role. Actually even if some species, such as sardine, are 'expulsed' from the system in cold-productive-low oxygen periods , other species associated to cooler conditions, such as the squat lobster, dramatically increase in biomass (Gutiérrez et al, 2008). Furthermore, under conditions of low oxygen and high production (such as in the late 2000s), the epipelagic community is concentrated within a thin surface layer where ephemeral fine scale oases boost up trophic interactions and thus energetic transfer .…”

The squat lobster Pleuroncodes monodon tolerates anoxic “dead zone” conditions off Peru

“…Adult specimens off Peru are much smaller than those off Chile, and it was therefore questioned whether both populations belong to one species. Haye et al (2010), using mitochondrial markers, confirmed species identity and concluded that the differences in size and lifestyle described by Gutiérrez et al (2008) and Bertrand et al (2008) are due to phenotypic variability.…”

Pelagic swarms and beach strandings of the squat lobster Munida gregaria (Anomura: Munididae) in the Beagle Channel, Tierra del Fuego

“…This species can be found in massive concentrations near the surface, or forming swarms several kilometers long in midwater, during spring, as detected by echosounding (Robinson and Gómez-Gutiérrez 1998;Gómez-Gutiérrez et al 2000). Off the Pacific coast of South America, in the southern (30-37°S) and northern (5-14°S) limit of its distribution, juveniles and adults of P. monodon are both benthic or micronektonic (Gallardo et al 1994;Roa et al 1995;Gutiérrez et al 2008). Off New Zealand, postmetamorphic individuals of M. gregaria shoal during the first 6 months of their life, which correspond mostly to spring-summer, and after this period they settle to the bottom (Zeldis 1985).…”

“…The pelagic distribution of munidids has been related to areas of relatively high primary productivity, for example, in the shelf break and/or areas of active upwelling off Mexico and Perú (Gómez- Gutiérrez et al 2000;Gutiérrez et al 2008). Massive occurrence of P. planipes can only be sustained in areas where food is abundant .…”