Species diversity and distribution of freshwater crabs (Decapoda: Pseudothelphusidae) inhabiting the basin of the Rio Grande de Terraba, Pacific slope of Costa Rica

Journal of Crustacean Biology

Magalhães

Orozco

2016

The freshwater crabs of the family Pseudothelphusidae Ortmann, 1893 are restricted to the Neotropics and many species have an elevated risk of extinction. The majority of pseudothelphusids is considered to be data-deficient, which impedes the assessment of their vulnerability levels. More than 50% of pseudothelphusids are endemic to Guatemala, and half of the species are categorized as data-deficient. In order to update and broaden our knowledge of the freshwater crab fauna of Guatemala, several surveys were carried out from 2014 to 2015, combined with the examination of collections of freshwater crabs of Guatemala deposited in several museums. A total of 55 specimens comprising six pseudothelphusid species were collected. The most common species were Potamocarcinus armatus H. Milne Edwards, 1853 (20% of the material identified to the species level), Phrygiopilus ibarrai (Pretzmann, 1978), Raddaus bocourti (A. Milne-Edwards, 1866), and Potamocarcinus magnus Rathbun, 1896 (14.5% each). The collection of the Universidad del Valle de Guatemala consisted of 57 lots with 69 individuals of nine pseudothelphusid species; predominant species were R. bocourti (61.7% of all identified lots) and P. magnus (20.5%). The following species are reported here as new records for Guatemala: Elsalvadoria zurstrasseni (Bott, 1956), Raddaus mertensi (Bott, 1956), and two undescribed species (Phrygiopilus sp., Zilchia sp.). Almost half of the 17 freshwater crab species (including the two undescribed) are either data-deficient or not yet assessed, and 65% (11 species) are endemic to Guatemala. Conservation strategies are urgently needed to preserve the integrity of the sites and habitats occupied by freshwater crabs, along with studies aiming to fill the gap of the data-deficient species.

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

The primary freshwater crabs of Guatemala (Decapoda: Brachyura: Pseudothelphusidae), with comments on their conservation status

Journal of Crustacean Biology

Magalhães

Orozco

2016

“…The complex geologic history of the Central American Isthmus (Coates 1977;Coates & Obando 1996;MacMillan et al 2004;Montes et al 2012) was linked to a series of climatic, paleoceanographic, and biological events, which led to the evolution of a rich biota inhabiting the Central American land bridge, especially the present Costa Rica and Panama (for groups of aquatic organisms see: Bussing 1985;Fortunato 2008;Ornelas-García et al 2008;Wehrtmann & Cortés 2009). The region also harbors a rich freshwater crab fauna, consisting mostly of species of the family Pseudothelphusidae Ortmann, 1893 (Pretzmann 1972;Rodriguez 1982;Rodríguez & Magalhães 2005;Lara et al 2013). The mountainous relief and the variety of climates, microclimates, and environments of the Isthmus certainly concurred to foster the speciation of this group, which shows a high taxonomic diversity along the mountains of Mesoamerica and South America, from Mexico to Peru (Rodriguez 1982;Rodríguez & Suárez 2004;Campos 2005;Villalobos Hiriart & Álvarez 2008).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Taxonomy of the freshwater crabs of Costa Rica, with a revision of the genus Ptychophallus Smalley, 1964 (Crustacea: Decapoda: Pseudothelphusidae)

Magalhães

Lara³

et al. 2015

Zootaxa

Self Cite

The taxonomy and geographic distribution of the freshwater crabs of the family Pseudothelphusidae Ortmann, 1893, of Costa Rica, Central America, particularly of the genus Ptychophallus Smalley, 1964, are revised. Historical materials deposited in major collections of several institutions were examined, as well as valuable collections in the Zoological Museum of the University of Costa Rica that include abundant specimens obtained recently (2007-2010) in the southern region of the country. The pseudothelphusids of Costa Rica consists of 15 currently valid species belonging to Achlidon Smalley, 1964 (two species), Allacanthos Smalley, 1964 (two species), Potamocarcinus H. Milne Edwards, 1853 (three species), and Ptychophallus (eight species). Two species seem to be restricted to the Atlantic drainage, while seven are known only from the Pacific drainage; six species occur in both drainages. Ptychophallus comprises 13 valid species; four new synonymies are proposed: P. osaensis Rodríguez, 2001, P. campylus Pretzmann, 1968, P. tumimanus ingae Pretzmann, 1978, and P. barbillaensis Rodríguez & Hedström, 2001, as junior synonyms of P. paraxantusi (Bott, 1968), P. tristani (Rathbum 1896), P. tumimanus (Rathbun, 1898), and P. uncinatus Campos & Lemaitre, 1999, respectively. Two species, P. colombianus (Rathbun, 1896) and P. exilipes (Rathbun, 1898), are considered species inquerendae. Lectotype designations are made for P. montanus and P. colombianus. Three species of Ptychophallus are known exclusively from Costa Rica, five exclusively from Panama, and five species occur in both countries; one species appears to be exclusive of the Atlantic drainage, whereas five are known only from the Pacific drainage and seven occur in both drainages. The gonopod morphology of all species is redescribed and illustrated, and maps of their geographic distribution are furnished. A key to the species of Pseudothelphusidae from Costa Rica and to all species of Ptychophallus is provided.

Freshwater Decapod Diversity and Conservation in Central America and the Caribbean

A Global Overview of the Conservation of Freshwater Decapod Crustaceans

Ramírez

Pérez‐Reyes

2016

Self Cite

This chapter provides an overview of the species diversity and conservation status of the freshwater decapods in Central America and the Caribbean islands that date back to the late 1800s in both areas. The majority of the early studies were on taxonomy but our knowledge of freshwater decapod ecology (especially of freshwater shrimps from some Caribbean islands) has increased substantially over the last four decades. Currently, 86 species of freshwater decapods are known from Central America and the Caribbean. Here the decapod fauna comprises two families of primary freshwater crabs (Pseudothelphusidae and Trichodactylidae), three families of freshwater shrimps (Atyidae, Palaemonidae and Xiphocarididae), and one family of crayfish (Cambaridae). Several species have been introduced to this region for aquaculture and have now established wild populations. We also provide a list of Central American and Caribbean freshwater decapods that host parasites. To date, the conservation status of 43 % of all freshwater decapods in the region has been assessed using the IUCN Red List protocols; 5 % of these species are endangered or Critically Endangered, and two species (Cambarellus alvarezi and C. chihuahuae) are likely extinct. Cuba is the country with the most Vulnerable species (7 spp.), while Bermuda (2 spp.) and