New records of two species of parasitic isopods (Isopoda: Cymothoida: Bopyridae: Athelginae) associated with hermit crabs from the south Atlantic

Abstract

Two species of bopyrid isopods from the subfamily Athelginae are recorded from new localities in northeastern Brazil. Parathelges foliatus Markham, 1972 was recorded for the first time from Brazil, in the state of Ceará, parasitising the hermit crab Clibanarius symmetricus (Randall, 1840). Pseudostegias atlantica Lemos de Castro, 1965 is recorded from the state of Ceará, parasitising Clibanarius antillensis Stimpson, 1859. Illustrations, species diagnosis and an updated distribution map are given for each species.

Parasitic bopyrid isopods of hermit crabs (Anomura, Paguridae) from the Atlantic coast of Mexico, with notes on their reproduction and distribution

“…1). This is consistent with the statement that some bopyrid species extend their geographic ranges by parasitizing multiple hosts (Boyko & Williams 2009); but does not match with the distribution range extension of P. atlantica reported here since only three host species have been recognized for it, though this may be due to the fact that it is only the fourth time that this parasite has been collected since it was described (Lemos de Castro 1965; Figueredo et al 2013;Ribeiro et al 2019;this study).…”

“…4B), in contrast, Lemos de Castro (1965) noted that endopod of pleopods 1-3 is wide and folded inwards, while in pleopods 4-5 is elongated and directed outwards. The first pair of oostegites contrasts with those reported by Ribeiro et al (2019), the anterior segment is drop-shaped due to the anterior margin extending rather upwards, the posterior segment is larger than the anterior one, rectangular in shape and with posterolateral projection wide, bearing small setae on posterior distal margin (Fig. 4F); the inner margin is thickened in the middle section, similar to that reported by Ribeiro et al (2019) but bears two projections in the proximal section, one small and triangular in shape and another larger and curved (Fig.…”

“…2C) were more similar to those illustrated by Lemos de Castro (1965: fig. 5) and only differ from those described by Ribeiro et al (2019) in the lack of setae in the distal margin of carpus of pereopods 1 and 7.…”

“…The bopyrids examined are morphologically similar to Pseudostegias atlantica (Figs 2B, 4A-C) described by Lemos de Castro (1965). Ribeiro et al (2019) defined traits not provided in the original description such as the antennae of both sexes and the first pair of oostegites; the maxilliped and barbula are described below.…”

“…DistributionPseudostegias atlantica is recorded for the first time in Mexico, previously known from Ceará and Alagoas, Brazil (Lemos de Castro 1965;Ribeiro et al 2019) and Isla Margarita, Venezuela…”