Evidence using morphology, molecules, and biogeography clarifies the taxonomic status of mole crabs of the genus Emerita Scopoli, 1777 (Anomura, Hippidae) and reveals a new species from the western Atlantic

Fernando L Mantelatto; Juliana M Paixão; Rafael Robles; Jeniffer N Teles; Felipe C Balbino

doi:10.3897/zookeys.1161.99432

Evidence using morphology, molecules, and biogeography clarifies the taxonomic status of mole crabs of the genus Emerita Scopoli, 1777 (Anomura, Hippidae) and reveals a new species from the western Atlantic

Zookeys. 2023 May 12:1161:169-202. doi: 10.3897/zookeys.1161.99432. eCollection 2023.

Authors

Fernando L Mantelatto¹, Juliana M Paixão¹, Rafael Robles², Jeniffer N Teles¹, Felipe C Balbino¹

Affiliations

¹ Laboratory of Bioecology and Crustacean Systematics (LBSC), Faculty of Philosophy, Sciences and Letters at Ribeirão Preto (FFCLRP), University of São Paulo (USP), Av. Bandeirantes 3900, 14040-901, Ribeirão Preto, SP, Brazil University of São Paulo Ribeirão Preto Brazil.
² Facultad de Ciencias Químico-Biológicas, Universidad Autónoma de Campeche, Campus V. Predio s/n - Avenida Ing. Humberto Lanz Cárdenas y Fracc. Ecológico Ambiental Siglo XXIII, Colonia Ex Hacienda Kalá, San Francisco de Campeche, Camp., 24085, Mexico Universidad Autónoma de Campeche Campeche Mexico.

Abstract

Uncertainties regarding the taxonomic status and biogeographical distribution of some species of the genus Emerita from the western Atlantic led to thorough examination of the subtle morphological differences between two coexistent species (E.brasiliensis Schmitt, 1935 and E.portoricensis Schmitt, 1935) along the Brazilian coast and compare them using two genetic markers. The molecular phylogenetic analysis based on sequences of the 16S rRNA and COI genes showed that individuals identified as E.portoricensis were clustered into two clades: one containing representatives from the Brazilian coast and another containing specimens distributed in Central America. Our molecular-based phylogeny, combined with a detailed morphological analysis, revealed the Brazilian population as a new species, which is described here as Emeritaalmeidai Mantelatto & Balbino, sp. nov. The number of species in the genus Emerita is now raised to 12, with five of them occurring in the western Atlantic, five in the Indo-Pacific, and two in the eastern Pacific.

Keywords: 16S rRNA; COI; Cryptic diversity; distribution; molecular data; phylogeny.

Fernando L. Mantelatto, Juliana M. Paixão, Rafael Robles, Jeniffer N. Teles, Felipe C. Balbino.