The Association of Two Gall Crabs (Brachyura: Cryptochiridae) with the Reef-building Coral Siderastrea stellata Verrill, 1868 |
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Authors: | R. Johnsson E. Neves G. M. O. Franco F. L. da Silveira |
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Affiliation: | 1. Instituto de Biologia, Dept. Zoologia, Universidade Federal da Bahia, Av. Adhemar de Barros s/n. Ondina, CEP: 40.170-290, Salvador, BA, Brazil 2. Museu de Zoologia da Universidade de S?o Paulo, Av. Nazaré 481. Bairro do Ipiranga, CEP: 04263-000, S?o Paulo, SP, Brazil 3. Instituto de Biociências, Dept. Zoologia Rua do Mat?o, Universidade de S?o Paulo, trav. 14, n° 321. Cidade Universitária, CEP: 05508-900, S?o Paulo, SP, Brazil
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Abstract: | The family Cryptochiridae includes a small group of cryptic crabs that inhabit cavities in scleractinian corals. They are represented in Brazil by two species. Troglocarcinus corallicola, found from Maranhão to Bahia states and that occurs in many species of the coral families Mussidae, Faviidae, Caryophillidae and Siderastreidae. Opecarcinus hypostegus, reported from the state of Pernambuco, is mainly associated with Agaricia fragilis. The range of O. hypostegus is extended to Rio Grande do Norte and Alagoas states. Males are usually smaller than females, and couples may be eventually found sharing cavities. Ovigerous females and males of O. hypostegus are recorded for the first time inhabiting adjoining cavities on colonies of Siderastrea stellata, an endemic reef coral widespread along the Brazilian littoral. |
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Keywords: | gall crabs Cryptochiridae scleractinian corals symbiotic associations South Atlantic Ocean |
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