Mithracinae (Decapoda: Brachyura) from the Brazilian coast: review of the geographical distribution and comments on the biogeography of the group

Abstract

The geographical distribution of marine organisms, as a result of complex natural processes through geological time, has been changed, sometimes drastically, by species introductions. Instances of species introduction have been recorded worldwide, and the Brazilian coast is no exception. The present review provides an update of the geographical distribution of members of the brachyuran subfamily Mithracinae along the Brazilian coast. Of the 30 species of this subfamily recorded from Brazilian waters, the known geographical limits of more than 17 have been extended in recent decades. The records compiled here demonstrate the great importance of the Amazon River outflow on the geographical distribution of members of Mithracinae, acting as a biogeographical barrier for some species.

Spider crabs of the Western Atlantic with special reference to fossil and some modern Mithracidae

“…On the other hand, less research has been done on fossil decapods from Brazil and other South American countries south of the Caribbean region thus far (e.g., Aguirre-Urreta, 1990 ; Casadío et al, 2005 ; Martins-Neto & Dias Júnior, 2007 ; Távora, Paixão & Da Silva, 2010 ). More fossil decapods—including spider crabs—are expected to be present in those regions given the common presence of majoids there today (e.g., Melo, 1996 ; Melo, 1998 ; Coelho & Torres, 1990 ; Bertini, Fransozo & De Melo, 2004 ; Mantelatto et al, 2004 ; Alves et al, 2012 ; Giraldes, Coelho Filho & Smyth, 2015 ).…”

“…Recently, the family was revised extensively using morphological and molecular analyses resulting in numerous redefinitions and the resurrection and erection of four genera ( Windsor & Felder, 2014 ). As is the case for the Western and Eastern Pacific, the Mithracidae are well-known from the Western Atlantic with over 30 species (e.g., Rathbun, 1925 ; Abele & Kim, 1986 ; Felder et al, 2009 ; Alves et al, 2012 ; Windsor & Felder, 2014 ), the latter authors (p. 154) suggesting it is an “amphi-American” group. Although their fossil record is decent with 25 known species ( Schweitzer et al, 2010 ; Tables 1 and S1 ), mostly originating from the Western Atlantic ( Table 1 ), additional research is required because representatives of many extant genera have a scarce fossil record.…”

NEW RECORD OF THE SPIDER CRAB Mithrax tortugae RATHBUN, 1920 IN THE NORTHEAST OF BRAZIL, FIRST RECORD ON THE COAST OF RIO GRANDE DO NORTE

“…It has a wide distribution in marine environments all over the world (Hendrickx 1999), commonly found in coral reefs, and seaweed banks, in depths ranging from 5 to 450 meters (Melo 1996, Baeza et al 2010, Windsor & Felder 2014. In addition to their wide distribution, Mithracidae have great species richness and the last decade has been the focus of studies on ecological limits and distribution patterns (Alves et al 2012).…”

“…Among the representatives of the Mithracidae is Mithrax tortugae Rathbun, 1920, a species that inhabits coral reefs at depths between 5 and 45 meters (Melo 1996). The species distributed throughout North, Central and South America, occurring in the United States of America, Mexico, Belize, Honduras, Caribbean and Brazil (Melo 1996, Alves et al 2012 Rathbun, 1920 for primary occurrence data (first new record on the Rio Grande do Norte coast, Porto do Mangue municipality) and secondary data (sensu Global Biodiversity Information Facility and literature). Data without available geographic coordinates were estimated according to the description of the site.…”

New records of the hairy crab Pilumnus dasypodus (Decapoda, Brachyura, Pilumnidae) in Northeastern Brazil

“…According to this author, the South Equatorial Current splits near 10°S into one branch that goes to the northwest, the North Brazil Current, while the other branch going towards the south forming the Brazil Current. According to Alves et al (2012), the distribution of macrobenthic marine crustaceans is affected by these currents originate from the South Equatorial Current, responsible for disjunct distribution pattern of some brachyurans, considering this scenario of marine currents. Spalding et al (2007) explained that there are regions in the marine environment with own pattern biodiversity due to environmental factors characterizing a given area, called by the authors as ecoregions.…”