Redescriptions and taxonomic notes on species of the Synalpheus townsendi Coutire, 1909 complex (Decapoda: Caridea: Alpheidae) Academic Article uri icon

abstract

  • We compared morphological features in 122 specimens of the Synalpheus townsendi species complex from the Caribbean, Gulf of Mexico and eastern Pacific. Our objectives were to examine the taxonomy of S. townsendi townsendi, S. t. mexicanus, S. t. brevispinis and S. t. peruvianus, which we felt have not been appropriately described and to reconsider their status. Based on examination of type material and different characters, we conclude that these taxa should be treated as distinct species, S. townsendi Coutire, 1909; S. mexicanus Coutire, 1909, S. brevispinis Coutire, 1909 and S. peruvianus Rathbun, 1910. We agree with Dardeau, 1986, that S. scaphoceris Coutire, 1910, is a distinct species. Specimens identified as S. townsendi productus Coutire, 1909, overlap in morphology with typical S. townsendi, and therefore are not considered to warrant designation as a separate taxon. Synalpheus mexicanus is not endemic to the Gulf of California. Copyright 2005 Magnolia Press.

published proceedings

  • Zootaxa

author list (cited authors)

  • Salazar, M. H., Wicksten, M., & Morrone, J. J.

complete list of authors

  • Salazar, MH||Wicksten, M||Morrone, JJ

publication date

  • July 2005