Eunephrops

Eunephrops is a meeresbewohnende genus of decapods ( Decapoda ) from the family of lobster -like ( Nephropidae ). It comprises four species, all of which are common in the Caribbean.

Description

The rostrum has at Eunephrops lateral and ventral side, but no dorsal spines. The carapace is scattered irregularly provided with small nodules. For smaller individuals of the carapace may be slightly hairy, the larger is hairless.

The somites of the abdomen have each dorsal side of a more or less marked transverse depression which is centrally interrupted. The second Pleuron Somits overlaps both the first and the third. The telson is about four square, the side edges have an irregular teeth on.

The large claws on the first pair of walking legs are equal in size and shape. Ischium to dactylus own tips provided with ridges. On the second and third pair of legs are very small scissors. The border between two and five pairs of legs can be slightly hairy.

In males, the first pair of swimming legs is hardened, that of the female is very thin and flexible. The "Appendix masculina ", a kind of clamp-like appendix in males at the second swimming leg pair is rather elongated. Lacking both in males as well as females in the " Appendices internae ".

The uropods are relatively wide, the Exopodite have a full diaeresis, a transverse recess.

Eunephrops species reach Carapaxlängen from 4 cm to 14 cm and a total length of up to 30 cm.

Distribution and habitat

The types of Eunephrops can be found in the western Atlantic, native to the Caribbean Sea and at depths of 230 m to 824 m. The populated substrate is primarily mud or coral gravel.

Systematics and Taxonomy

The genus Eunephrops consists of the following ways:

• Eunephrops bairdii Smith, 1885
• Eunephrops cadenasi Chace, 1939
• Eunephrops luckhursti Manning, 1997
• Eunephrops manningi Holthuis, 1974

Morphological differences of the species are V.A. Presence and extent of ridges and depressions on the carapace and abdomen, and the presence of certain dorsal spines on the carapace ( submedian spines postcervical ).

Sidney I. Smith described the genus on the basis of a female Eunephrops bairdii, the Gulf of Darién from a depth of 155 thread (equivalent to approximately 280 m ) was obtained.

Eunephrops is more closely related within the lobster -like with the genera Nephropides and Thymopides. Together with Homarus, Nephrops Eunephrops Metanephrops and was placed in the subfamily of Nephropinae Dana, 1852. However, the subdivision of the lobster -like in subfamilies is no longer in use.