Abstract

DARRYL L, Felder. Diversity and ecological significance of deep-burrowing macrocrustaceans in coastal tropical waters of the americas (Decapoda: Thalassinidea). INCI [online]. 2001, vol.26, n.10, pp.440-449. ISSN 0378-1844.

Deep-burrowing thalassinidean shrimp, commonly called mud shrimp or ghost shrimp, dominate soft substrates and benthic processes in many coastal settingAs. Among the more common genera in tropical intertidal to shallow subtidal areas are Lepidophthalmus and Callichirus, associated with muddy estuaries and quartzite sand beaches, respectively, and the less well-known laomediid genus Axianassa, associated with red mangroves. Recent studies of these and varied relatives suggest that sediment turnover by these deep-burrowers and facilitation of nutrient flux by burrow ventilation can be of major significance to associated autotrophs, and may dominate benthic processes in some communities. Habitat perturbations, contamination and hydrological alterations may render populations of these obligate burrowers vulnerable to mass mortalities, of special concern for those species that are regionally endemized. Under yet other circumstances, organic enrichment of habitat substrates, particularly in aquacultural settings, may induce explosive population increases. Either of these dynamics could result in negative impacts on water quality and productivity, and contribute to the decline of associated plant and animal communities. Conservation of these burrowing shrimp communities requires thorough understanding of their life histories, habitat dependencies, symbiotic relationships, and population responses to environmental perturbations.

Keywords : Thalassinideans ; Mudshrimp ; Bioturbation ; Burrowing .