The Western Atlantic Snapping Shrimps related to Alpheus Heterochaelis Say (Crustacea, Caridea), with the description of a new species

Abstract

Four closely related species of the Edwardsi group of Alpheus, living exclusively within estuarine environments, are recognized in the Western Atlantic region. A. heterochaelis Say was collected in North Carolina, Para and Paraiba, not having been found in southern Brazil. A. pontederiae Rochebrune, previously known only from West Africa, is recorded along the Brazilian coast between Para and Parana. A. estuariensis, sp. n., is common from Florida to Parana, while A. chacei Carvacho, with which A. maxilliplanus Christoffersen is synonymized, is known from Guadeloupe to Sao Paulo. A key for the recognition of these species, notes on their ecological distribution and remarks on their relationships with other species of Alpheus are provided.