A total of 39 species of Stomatopoda were previously reported from marine and estuarine habitats of Brazilian waters. The present checklist is based on material deposited in the crustacean collection of Museu de Oceanografia Petrônio Alves Coelho, Universidade Federal de Pernambuco, city of Recife, Brazil (MOUFPE). The collection, deriving primarily from the northern and northeastern coast of Brazil, includes 667 samples and 1.301 specimens, distributed in four superfamilies, seven families, 14 genera and 33 species, including one holotype and two paratype. Apparent distribution gaps for five-species were filled. Two Brazilian endemic species had their southern geographical ranges increased (Neogonodactylus moraisi (Fausto Filho & Lemos de Castro, 1973) and Nannosquilla dacostai Manning, 1970) and one was recorded for the first time from northeast Brazilian waters [Alima neptuni (Linnaeus, 1768)]. There are now 42 species of Stomatopoda recorded from the Brazilian coast.

This study investigated the composition and spatial distribution of the sublittoral decapods on the reefs of Porto de Galinhas Beach, southern coast of Pernambuco, Brazil, through the Underwater Visual Census technique. Data were collected monthly, at night during full-moon tides in low tide periods from June 2004 to May 2005, using SCUBA diving and a visual census with a fixed belt transect (20 m long). Three sampling areas were defined: Confined Waters (low hydrodynamics) with shallow sites (up to 2.5 m deep); Semi-open Water (3 to 6 m deep), influenced by waves and tidal currents (moderate hydrodynamics); and Open Water (7 to 10 m deep), in the breaker zone (high hydrodynamics). A total of 6,287 individuals of 34 species belonging to the infraorders Brachyura (19 species), Achelata and Anomura (5 species each), Caridea (3 species), and Stenopodidea and Astacidea (1 species each) were collected. Two decapod assemblages were distinguished: in a habitat with low hydrodynamics and shallow (Confined) water; and in a habitat with moderate to high hydrodynamics and depths of 3 to 10 m (Semi-open and Open water). At the sites with high hydrodynamics, i.e., the Open-water Area in the breaker zone, decapod diversity was significantly lower than in the other, protected areas on the reef bench. These results suggest that the distribution of subtidal decapods on coastal reefs is influenced by depth and exposure to water stress caused by waves and currents (hydrodynamics). The visual census technique with SCUBA proved to be suitable for ecological studies on subtidal decapods.

The barbouriid shrimp Janicea antiguesis (Chace, 1972) is reported from Porto de Galinhas and Tamandaré in Pernambuco and Guarapari in Espírito Santo, Brazil. These records confirm the presence of J. antiguensis in northeastern and eastern Brazil, considerably extending its Brazilian range from Fernando de Noronha to southern Espírito Santo and also representing the first record of this species from mainland coastal reefs. In Brazil, J. antiguensis occurs in or near marine reef caves, typically at depths between 5 and 15 m, and can be most easily observed while scuba diving at night. Colour photographs of J. antiguensis from various Atlantic localities are provided and its colour pattern is compared to that of the closely related Indo-West Pacific barbouriid shrimp, Parhippolyte misticia (Clark, 1989). Some in situ observations are provided for the Porto de Galinhas population of J. antiguensis. Multiple observations of pairs with both individuals brooding embryos at different developmental stages suggest protandric simultaneous hermaphroditism in J. antiguensis.

A presente contribuição visa avaliar a relação largura carapaça vs. peso úmido e o fator de condição de Ucides cordatus (Linnaeus, 1763), nos manguezais dos rios Ariquindá e Mamucabas, Estado de Pernambuco, Brasil. Essas duas áreas próximas apresentam características similares de vegetação e substrato, mas exibem diferentes níveis de conservação ambiental: o rio Ariquindá é a área preservada, considerado um dos últimos rios não poluídos de Pernambuco, enquanto o rio Mamucabas sofre impactos de represamento, desmatamento e deposição de lixo. Um total de 1.298 indivíduos de U. cordatus foi coletado. Machos foram mais largos e mais pesados que as fêmeas, o que é comumente observado em Brachyura. Ucides cordatus mostrou crescimento alométrico negativo (p < 0.05), o que está provavelmente relacionado à dilatação que esta espécie desenvolve na lateral da carapaça, que abriga seis pares de brânquias. Os valores de b estiveram dentro do limite estabelecido para organismos aquáticos. Apesar do fator de condição ser considerado um importante aspecto para confirmar o período reprodutivo, visto que varia com atividades cíclicas, no presente estudo ele não esteve correlacionado com a abundância de fêmeas ovígeras. Entretanto, foi considerado um bom parâmetro para avaliar impactos ambientais, sendo significativamente menor na área impactada.

The present contribution aims at evaluating the carapace width vs. humid weight relationship and the condition factor of Ucides cordatus (Linnaeus, 1763), in the mangrove forests of the Ariquindá and Mamucabas rivers, state of Pernambuco, Brazil. These two close areas present similar characteristics of vegetation and substrate, but exhibit different degrees of environmental conservation: the Ariquindá River is the preserved area, considered one of the last non-polluted of Pernambuco, while the Mamucabas River suffers impacts from damming, deforestation and deposition of waste. A total of 1,298 individuals of U. cordatus were collected. Males were larger and heavier than females, what is commonly observed in Brachyura. Ucides cordatus showed allometric negative growth (p < 0.05), which is probably related to the dilatation that this species develops in the lateral of the carapace, which stores six pairs of gills. The values of b were within the limit established for aquatic organisms. Despite of the condition factor being considered an important feature to confirm the reproductive period, since it varies with cyclic activities, in the present study it was not correlated to the abundance of ovigerous females. However, it was considered a good parameter to evaluate environmental impacts, being significantly lower at the impacted area.

Este estudo foi desenvolvido com o objetivo de determinar o tamanho da maturidade morfológica e fisiológica de machos e fêmeas em duas populações de Ucides cordatus (Linnaeus, 1763) de Tamandaré, Pernambuco, Brasil. Os caranguejos foram coletados mensalmente (abril/2008 a março/2009) nos manguezais dos rios Ariquindá e Mamucabas, por um catador, através da técnica de braceamento, durante a maré baixa em três áreas distintas de 25 m² cada. Os caranguejos capturados foram separados por sexo e medidos (largura da carapaça, comprimento do própodo do quelípodo dos machos e largura do 5º somito abdominal das fêmeas). Além disso, os caranguejos foram caracterizados em relação ao estágio de desenvolvimento gonadal. Os caranguejos com gônadas imaturas e rudimentares foram considerados jovens, enquanto os demais foram classificados como adultos (gônada em desenvolvimento, desenvolvida, avançada ou esgotada). O tamanho da largura da carapaça no qual 50% da população de U. cordatus foi considerada madura morfologicamente foi de 38,0 mm (machos) e 35,4 mm (fêmeas) em Ariquindá, enquanto para Mamucabas estes valores foram de 37,3 e 32,9 mm, respectivamente. Na determinação da maturidade sexual fisiológica, os machos e fêmeas de Ariquindá foram considerados maduros com 38,5 e 37,8 mm, respectivamente, enquanto em Mamucabas os tamanhos obtidos foram de 36,2 e 35,8 mm. A maturidade morfológica dos machos ocorreu com tamanho superior ao das fêmeas, provavelmente devido ao seu maior investimento em crescimento somático, enquanto as fêmeas investem mais no processo reprodutivo. Os caranguejos provenientes do manguezal de Mamucabas atingiram a maturidade sexual com tamanhos inferiores aos de Ariquindá, provavelmente devido ao maior impacto verificado para este manguezal.

This study aims to determine the size at morphological and physiological maturity of males and females at two populations of Ucides cordatus (Linnaeus, 1763) from Tamandaré, Pernambuco, Brazil. Crabs were sampled monthly from April 2008 to March 2009 at the Ariquindá and Mamucabas mangroves by professional crab catchers during ebb tide in three replicates (25 m² each, 20 m between plots). Crabs collected were sexed and measured (carapace width, cheliped propodus length of males and abdomen width of the fifth somite of females). Besides, the crabs were characterized according its gonad development stage. For the physiological maturity determination, crabs were arranged in two groups: juvenile crabs (specimens that showed immature and rudimentary gonads) and adult crabs (specimens with gonads at the stages classified as developing, developed, advanced or spent). The carapace width size in which 50% of males and females were considered morphologically mature was 38.0 and 35.4 mm (Ariquindá) and 37.3 and 32.9 mm (Mamucabas), respectively. Therefore, the size at physiological maturity of males and females occurred with 38.5 and 37.8 mm (Ariquindá) and 36.2 and 35.8 mm, respectively (Mamucabas). Males attain morphological maturity at a higher size than females, probably due to a major investment in their somatic growth, while females spend their energy in the reproductive process. Crabs from Mamucabas mangrove attained sexual maturity at smaller sizes than Ariquindá, probably because the more impacted situation of the primer mangrove.

The fiddler crabs Uca panacea Novak & Salmon, 1974 and Uca pugilator (Bosc, 1802) are closely related North American species that are sympatric along the north coast of Gulf of Mexico. Since U. panacea was described, there has been confusion in the identification these two species. Morphological differences between these two fiddlers have been pointed out in recent years, mainly regarding the presence of a pigment spot and granulations on the dorsal margin of carapace in U. pugilator. We report herein some intraspecific differences between the two species that we believe to be useful in avoiding misidentification among preserved specimens of these two fiddler crabs, such as the absence of the pigment spot in U. pugilator and the presence of the pigment spot and granulations on dorsal margin of carapace in U. panacea as well. Our results have also revealed that 65% of the U. pugilator specimens examined possess a gape pile in the major chela, which is not a reliable diagnostic character, but could be useful when present. The gonopods of both species were analyzed using SEM, confirming the previous statement that the sub-terminal thumb is shorter in U. panacea than in U. pugilator. Finally, as important morphological characters are missing in the original description of U. panacea, a redescription of this species is also provided.

The coast of the state of Bahia in eastern Brazil comprises more than 12% of tire entire Brazilian coast. However, the crustacean fauna of this area still remains poorly known, especially the shallow-water fauna. We provide here a list of 162 brachyuran crustaceans known for the Bahia coast, based on published records as well as material deposited in the Carcinological Collection of the Universidade Estadual de Santa Cruz, Ilhéus, Bahia. The list includes estuarine and marine species (from coastal beaches to the continental shelf and slope) that have been reported at least once in the study area. Regarding longitudinal distribution patterns, five species are circum-tropical, nine are amphi-Atlantic, and two are amphi-American. The portunid Charybdis hellerii (A. Milne-Edwards, 1867) is an introduced Indo-West Pacific species. The remaining 145 species are native to the western Atlantic; 17 of these are endemic to Brazil. A total of 46 species (28.4%) have the southernmost limit of their known ranges in the western Atlantic between Bahia and the state of Rio de Janeiro, which suggests, for this group, the existence of a wide transition area between the Brazilian and Paulista zoogeographic provinces. Finally, two small range extensions in the western Atlantic are reported: the hymenosomatid Elamena gordonae Monod, 1956 from Camamu Bay (13°54'14"S) to Nova Vicosa (17°53'00.9"S), and the sesarmid Sesarma curaçãoense De Man, 1892 from Ilhéus (15°04'58.6"S) to Mucuri (18°05'38'S).

La costa del Estado de Bahia, situado en el este de Brasil, comprende más del 12% de la costa brasileña. Sin embargo, la fauna de crustáceos de esta area aún se encuentra pobremente conocida, sobretodo aquella de aguas someras. Se presenta una lista de 162 especies de crustáceos braquiuros conocidos de esta costa, en base a registros publicados y al material depositado en la Colección Carcinológica de la Universidade Estadual de Santa Cruz, Ilhéus, Bahia. La lista incluye especies estuarinas y marinas (desde playas costeras hasta la plataforma continental y talud) que han sido reportadas por lo menos una vez para el area de estudio. En cuanto a los patrones de distribución longitudinal, cinco especies son circumtropicales, nueve anfi-Atlánticas, dos anfi-Americanas, y el portúnido Charybdis hellerii (A. Milne-Edwards, 1867) es una especie introducida, nativa del Indo-Pacífico oriental. Las restantes 145 especies son nativas del Atlántico occidental, 17 de las cuales son endémicas de Brasil. Un total de 46 especies (28.4%) tienen su límite sur de distribución en el Atlántico occidental, entre Bahia y el Estado de Rio de Janeiro, lo que sugiere, para el grupo estudiado, la existencia de una amplia zona de transición entre las provincias zoogeográficas Brasileña y Paulista. Finalmente, se reporta dos ampliaciones de ámbito en el Atlántico occidental: el himenosomátido Elamena gordonae Monod, 1956 desde Bahia de Camamu (13°54'14"S) a Nova Vicosa (17°53'00.9"S), y el sesármido Sesarma curaçãoense De Man, 1892 desde Ilhéus (15°04'58.6"S) a Mucuri (18°05'38'S).

Este trabalho reporta a ocorrência de Austinixa bragantina Coelho, 2005; A. leptodactyla (Coelho, 1997) e Zaops ostreum (Say, 1817) para o litoral do Estado do Ceará, sendo estes os primeiros registros de representantes da família Pinnotheridae De Haan, 1883 para a costa cearense. A. bragantina foi coletada em maio e junho de 1995, na praia do Futuro, município de Fortaleza (3°42'S, 38°27'W). Esta espécie era conhecida, até o momento, apenas de sua localidade tipo, Ilha Canela, município de Bragança, Pará. A. leptodactyla foi coletada em novembro de 2004, na praia da Baleia, município de Itapipoca (3°08'S, 39°27'W) e Z. ostreum foi obtido a partir do exame de ostras da espécie Crassostrea rhizophorae Guilding, 1828, coletadas em novembro de 2005 no estuário do Rio Jaguaribe, município de Fortim (4°24'S, 37°46'W). São apresentadas considerações biogeográficas sobre as três espécies assim como uma lista atualizada de todos os pinoterídeos do litoral brasileiro e sua distribuição geográfica.

This study reports the occurrence of Austinixa bragantina Coelho, 2005; A. leptodactyla (Coelho, 1997) and Zaops ostreum (Say, 1817) for the State of Ceará, Northeast Brazil. These records represent the first account of the family Pinnotheridae de Haan, 1883 for the coast of Ceará. A. bragantina was collected on May and June 1995 at Futuro Beach, municipality of Fortaleza (3°42'S, 38°27'W). This species was previously known only for the type locality, Canela Island, Bragança, Pará, Brazil. A. leptodactyla was collected on November 2004 at Baleia Beach, municipality of Itapipoca (3°08'S, 39°27'W) and Z. ostreum was obtained from the oyster Crassostrea rhizophorae Guilding, 1828, collected on November 2005 at the Jaguaribe River estuary, municipality of Fortim (4°24'S, 37°46'W). Biogeographic considerations regarding the three species and an updated list of all known Brazilian pinnotherid species along with their_geographic distribution are also provided.

Neste trabalho é apresentada a fauna de crustáceos decápodos associados a esponjas coletadas ao largo da cidade de Fortaleza, Ceará, Brasil. As esponjas foram obtidas através de mergulho autônomo, realizado no Parque Estadual Marinho " Pedra da Risca do Meio" . No laboratório, os poríferos foram identificados e os crustáceos retirados e etiquetados de acordo com a esponja em que foram encontrados. Nove espécies de esponjas foram coletadas e 14 espécies de crustáceos identificadas. Os Crustáceos da família Alpheidae foram os mais representativos, com seis espécies, seguidos pelos decápodos das famílias Mithracidae e Porcellanidae, com duas espécies e Palaemonidae, Pilumnidae, Pseudorhombilidae e Xanthidae, com uma espécie. A partir do presente registro, as espécies Nanoplax xanthiformis (A. Milne Edwards, 1880), Synalpheus hemphilli Coutière, 1909, S. minus (Say, 1818), S. sanctithomae Coutière, 1909 e Petrolisthes rosariensis Werding, 1978 têm sua distribuição aumentada no litoral brasileiro.

The aim of this article was to report on the sponge-dwelling crustaceans collected through scuba diving at " Parque Estadual Marinho Pedra da Risca do Meio" Fortaleza, Ceará, Brazil. Nine species of sponges were collected and fourteen crustaceans were identified. The Alpheidae family was the most abundant with six species, followed by the families Mithracidae and Porcellanidae with two species and Palaemonidae, Pilumnidae, Pseudorhombilidae and Xanthidae with one species. The species Nanoplax xanthiformis (A. Milne Edwards, 1880), Synalpheus hemphilli Coutière, 1909, S. minus (Say, 1818), S. sanctithomae Coutière, 1909 and Petrolisthes rosariensis Werding, 1978 have their distribution expanded in the brazilian coast.

Pinnixa gracilipes Coelho, 1997 é um pequeno caranguejo pinoterídeo que vive em associação com Lepidophthalmus siriboia Felder & Rodrigues, 1993 no nordeste do Estado do Pará, Brasil. Larvas de P. gracilipes foram cultivadas em laboratório desde o nascimento ao estágio megalopa. O desenvolvimento completo durou cerca de 24 dias. O período médio de cada estágio foi 5, 4, 4, 5 e 6 dias, respectivamente. No presente trabalho, os cinco estágios zoeae e megalopa são descritos e ilustrados em detalhes. Comparações morfológicas com estudos anteriores sobre larvas da família Pinnotheridae são brevemente discutidas.

Pinnixa gracilipes Coelho, 1997 is a small pinnotherid crab living in association with ghost shrimp Lepidophthalmus siriboia Felder & Rodrigues, 1993 in the northeastern region of Pará State, Brazil. Larvae of P. gracilipes were reared in the laboratory from hatching to the megalopa stage. The complete zoeal period averaged 24 days. Mean duration for each larval stage was 5, 4, 4, 5 and 6 days, respectively. In the present study, five zoeal and megalopal stages are described and illustrated in detail. Morphological comparisons with previous reported works on Pinnotheridae larvae are briefly discussed.

Este trabalho registra pela primeira vez a ocorrência, para o litoral do Estado do Ceará, do pisídeo anfi-atlântico Apiomithrax violaceus (A. Milne Edwards, 1868) e do dromiídeo atlântico ocidental Hypoconcha arcuata Stimpson, 1858. A. violaceus foi coletado em agosto de 2004 na praia da Pedra Rachada, município de Paracuru (03º25'S, 39º04'W), enquanto que H. arcuata foi coletada na plataforma continental, ao largo da cidade de Fortaleza (03º41'S, 38º32'W). O registro de A. violaceus amplia a distribuição setentrional dessa espécie na costa atlântica da América do Sul. Já a ocorrência de H. arcuata preenche um dos vazios distribucionais existentes para esse braquiúro na costa do Brasil.

Occurrence of the brachyuran crabs Apiomithrax violaceus (A. Milne Edwards, 1868) (Crustacea, Decapoda, Pisidae) and Hypoconcha arcuata Stimpson, 1858 (Crustacea, Decapoda, Dromiidae) is reported for the coast of Ceará, Brazil northeast, for the first time. A. violaceus was collected in August 2004 at Pedra Rachada beach, Paracuru, Ceará (03º25'S, 39º04'W), while H. arcuata was collected on the continental shelf, off Fortaleza city (03º41'S, 38º32'W). With the present record, the geographic range of A. violaceus, an amphi-Atlantic species, is extended northward in the western Atlantic. This species seems to be rare in northeastern, Brazil. Occurrence of H. arcuata in Ceará fills one of the gaps in the geographic ranges known for this species along Brazilian coast.

É apresentada a descrição de Austinixa bragantina sp. nov., encontrada no litoral paraense em associação com os calianassídeos Lepidophthalmus siriboia Felder & Rodrigues, 1993 and Callichirus major (Say, 1818)

Austinixa bragantina sp. nov., found in Pará coast associated with the Callianassid Lepidophthalmus siriboia Felder & Rodrigues, 1993 and Callichirus major (Say, 1818), is described.