Nephropides

Nephropides caribaeus is a species of lobster, the only species in the genus Nephropides. It is found in western parts of the Caribbean Sea, from Belize to Colombia. It grows to a total length of around 170 mm (6.7 in), and is covered in conspicuous tubercles.

Nephropides
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Arthropoda
Subphylum: Crustacea
Class: Malacostraca
Order: Decapoda
Family: Nephropidae
Genus: Nephropides
Manning, 1969
Species:
N. caribaeus
Binomial name
Nephropides caribaeus
Manning, 1969

Description

Nephropides caribaeus is a narrow lobster, resembling Nephropsis or Nephrops. Adults of N. caribaeus are typically 155–170 millimetres (6.1–6.7 in) in total length, or 51–58 mm (2.0–2.3 in) in carapace length.[2] It differs from Nephropsis in that the eyes contain pigment, which is lacking in Nephropsis.[2] The rostrum has 2–3 lateral spines, but no spines on the lower edge.[2] The whole body is covered in large tubercles, including the first pereiopods with their large chelae, and the other, smaller pereiopods.[2]

Distribution and ecology

Nephropides caribaeus is found in the western Caribbean Sea, and has been recorded from Belize to Colombia.[1] It is a deep-water species, living on muddy bottoms at depths of 455–728 metres (1,493–2,388 ft).[1]

Taxonomic history

The genus Nephropides and the species N. caribaeus were both erected in 1969 by Raymond B. Manning. A second species later described in the genus has since been transferred to Thymops as Thymops birsteini.[3] The Food and Agriculture Organization has assigned the species an English name of "mitten lobsterette".[4] The type locality is at 12°25′N 82°15′W, off the coast of Nicaragua, at a depth of 546–582 metres (1,791–1,909 ft).[4] The generic name Nephropides alludes to a close relationship with the genus Nephrops, while the specific epithet caribaeus is a reference to the Caribbean Sea.[2]

References
  1. Wahle, R.; MacDiarmid, A.; Cockcroft, A.; Chan, T.Y.; Chang, Y.J. & Butler, M. (2011). "Nephropides caribaeus". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2011: e.T170060A6702146. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2011-1.RLTS.T170060A6702146.en. Retrieved 9 January 2018.
  2. Raymond B. Manning (1969). "A new genus and species of lobster (Decapoda, Nephropidae) from the Caribbean Sea". Crustaceana. 17 (3): 303–309. doi:10.1163/156854069X00655. JSTOR 20101643.
  3. Tin-Yam Chan (2010). "Nephropides Manning, 1969". WoRMS. World Register of Marine Species. Retrieved April 10, 2012.
  4. Lipke B. Holthuis (1991). "Nephropides Manning, 1969". Marine Lobsters of the World (PDF). FAO Species Catalogue, Volume 13. FAO Fisheries Synopsis No. 125. Food and Agriculture Organization. pp. 30–31. ISBN 92-5-103027-8.
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