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The article presents a study which examines the reproduction of a new Lysmata species from the Pacific Coast of Panama. For the study, shrimp were gathered along the Pacific coast of Panama at Punta Culebra, Casco Viejo, Saboga, Taboga and Coibita between 2005 and 2007. These new species can be distinguished from other species by the rostrum usually having 6 dorsal and 2 ventral teeth, with the presence of setae between the dorsal rostral teeth and an acute well-developed pterygostomial tooth. Researchers found that population abundance of the new shrimp species at the various sampling localities was high.

The article cites a study which examines the presence of the pontoniine shrimp or tuleariocaris holthuision the pacific coast of Panama. It investigated that it female species were investigated in the Coiba National Park which confirmed its presence in the region and significantly increasing. They were found attached to the spines of a black sea urchin, which is their only known host in the eastern pacific. It also determined that they include four species all associated with sea urchins, including Tuleariocaris holthuisi, Tuleariocaris Neglecta, Tuleariocaris sarec and Tuleariocaris Zanzibaricu.

The completion of the Panamanian Isthmus is one of the greatest natural experiments in evolution, sending multiple species pairs from a broad range of taxonomic groups on independent evolutionary trajectories. The resulting transisthmian sister species have been used as model systems for examining consequences that accompany cessation of gene flow in formerly panmictic populations. However, variance in pairwise genetic distances of these “geminates” often exceeds expectations, seemingly conflicting with the assumption that separation of populations was contemporaneous with the final closure of the Isthmus. Multilocus datasets and coalescent-based analytical methods can be used to estimate divergence times while accounting for variance in gene divergence that predates isolation, thus removing the need to invoke unequal divergence times. Here we present results from Bayesian analyses of sequence data from seven nuclear and one mitochondrial marker in eight transisthmian species pairs in the snapping shrimp genus Alpheus. Divergence times in two species pairs were shown to occur much earlier than the Isthmus final closure, but much of the variance in pairwise genetic distances from cytochrome oxidase I (COI) was explained when ancestral polymorphisms were accounted for. Results illustrate how coalescent approaches may be more appropriate for dating recent divergences than for estimating ancient speciation events. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present contribution is a preliminary report on the freshwater caridean fauna of Bocas del Toro province, northeastern Panama, based on field collections carried out during a Shrimp Taxonomy Workshop at the STRI station in Bocas del Toro in August 2008. A total of eight species from two families, Atyidae and Palaemonidae, were collected at 17 different collection sites in the rivers, streams and ponds on several islands of the Bocas del Toro archipelago and the adjacent mainland. The species reported herein are Atya scabra (Leach, 1815), Jonga serrei (Bouvier, 1909), Micratya poeyi (Guérin-Méneville, 1855), Potimirim glabra (Kingsley, 1878), P. potimirim (Müller, 1881) (Atyidae), Palaemon pandaliformis (Stimpson, 1871), Macrobrachium acanthurus (Wiegmann, 1836) and M. crenulatum Holthuis, 1950 (Palaemonidae). The record of J. serrei is the first for Panama, and M. poeyi and P. glabra the first for Bocas del Toro province. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present study is the first exhaustive checklist of porcelain crabs (Porcellanidae) distributed on the Pacific and Atlantic (Caribbean) coasts of Panama, based on literature records and material collected between 2006 and 2019. The Panamanian porcellanid fauna is currently composed of a total of 76 species, with 26 species reported from the Caribbean coast, 45 species reported from the Pacific coast, and five species reported from both sides of the Central American Isthmus (Isthmus of Panama). In other words, the Caribbean and Pacific coasts of Panama each harbour, respectively, 31 and 50 species of porcellanid crabs. However, this total includes two problematic porcellanid records from Panama, viz. Clastotoechus nodosus (Streets, 1872) and Petrolisthes brachycarpus Sivertsen, 1933, as well as a putatively undecribed taxon reported as Pachycheles sp. The following four species are recorded for the first time from Panama, viz. Euceramus panatelus Glassell, 1938, Pachycheles riisei (Stimpson, 1859) [also being new for Mexico], Petrolisthes dissimulatus Gore, 1983 and P. tonsorius Haig, 1960. In addition, Minyocerus kirki Glassell, 1938 is newly recorded from Colombia, extending its previously known distributional range significantly southwards. Most species are illustrated in colour, several for the first time, based on material from Panama or other localities. At least 20 further species (16 in the Atlantic, 5 in the Pacific, and 1 in both oceans) are suspected to occur in Panamanian waters, based on their records from the neighbouring Costa Rica and/or Colombia, or their wide distribution in the Caribbean Sea or the tropical eastern Pacific. The presence of several cryptic or pseudocryptic species (at least some of them presumably undescribed), especially in the taxonomically challenging Petrolisthes galathinus (Bosc, 1802) species complex, or the eventual species splitting within some taxa currently seen as transisthmian, will likely further increase the total number of species present in Panama. The porcellanid fauna of Panama is also ecologically remarkably diversified. Most Panamanian porcelain crabs are free-living under rocks, in crevices of rocks, dead coral heads, coralline algae, coral rubble etc., or on mud, among mangrove roots. Euceramus panatelus lives in possibly self-dug burrows in soft mud or muddy sand, whereas its congener E. transversilineatus (Lockington, 1878) may occasionally be found in association with holothuroids. At least 15 further porcellanid species occurring in Panama live in permanent or facultative associations with a variety of other marine organisms, including sponges, cnidarians (octocorals), echinoderms (sea urchins, sea stars, sea cucumbers), polychaetes (parchment worms) and other decapod crustaceans (hermit crabs), making them one of the most attractive groups for studies of symbiosis-related behaviour and evolution.

Alpheus viserion sp. n. is described based on the material from Bocas del Toro archipelago on the Caribbean coast of Panama. The new species is morphologically closest to three members of the speciose A. armillatus H. Milne-Edwards, 1837 species complex, viz. A. carlae Anker, 2012, A. angulosus McClure, 2002, and A. tenuis Kim Abele, 1988, differing from them, as well as from all the other species currently included in this complex, by a suite of morphological characters and a diagnostic colour pattern. With the description of yet another new shrimp species from Bocas del Toro, the authors hope to contribute to the awareness that this archipelago represents one of the most biologically diverse places in the Caribbean Sea and to encourage the preservation of the remaining natural habitats of this unique area.

A new species of porcelain crab, Petrolisthes lazarus sp. nov., is described from the Pacific coast of Panama, based on two female specimens. The new species is morphologically most similar to another eastern Pacific species, P. crenulatus Lockington, 1878, especially in the general configuration of the carapace, chelipeds and ambulatory legs. However, P. lazarus sp. nov. can be separated from P. crenulatus by the differences in the proportions of the carapace, the shape of the frontal region of the carapace, and the setation pattern of the cheliped. In addition, P. lazarus sp. nov. and P. crenulatus appear to be allopatric, the latter species presently being known only from Mexico. Among other eastern Pacific taxa, P. lazarus sp. nov. may have some affinities with P. ortmanni Nobili, 1901 and P. lewisi (Glassell, 1936), from which it can be easily distinguished by the chelipeds lacking a dense field of setae on the outer (lateral) surface of the palm and with different proportions of some articles, especially the carpus. The four species can also be distinguished from each other by their diagnostic, although somewhat variable colour patterns.

A new snapping shrimp, Alpheus perlas sp. nov., is described based on a single complete male specimen collected on a shallow mudflat at Casayeta Island in the Las Perlas Archipelago, Gulf of Panama. The new species belongs to the large A. edwardsii (Audouin, 1821) species group characterised essentially by the presence of two notches on the major chela palm, with the dorsal notch extending posteriorly on the mesial surface. Within the eastern Pacific members of the A. edwardsii group, A. perlas sp. nov. appears to be morphologically closest to A. latus Kim Abele, 1988 and A. burukovskyi Anker Pachelle, 2015. Alpheus perlas sp. nov. does not seem to be specially adapted for digging and may be inquiline of a larger burrowing host, which currently remains unknown.

The present study deals with five species of the alpheid shrimp genus Salmoneus Holthuis, 1955 from the tropical eastern Pacific. One of them is new to science and is described as Salmoneus tiburon sp. nov. The new species is presently known only from the Las Perlas Archipelago in Panama and can be distinguished from all other congeners by the dentition on the cutting edges of the major chela, with some dactylar teeth reminiscent of shark teeth. It is also one of the largest species of the genus, with the carapace length of both type specimens surpassing 8.0 mm. Salmoneus serratidigitus (Coutière, 1897), a species with an ample distribution across the Indo-Pacific, is recorded for the first time from the Pacific coast of Panama and is confirmed from Colombia. Salmoneus malagensis Anker Lazarus, 2015, previously known only from Bahía Málaga in Colombia, is recorded from Panama's Azuero Peninsula. The remaining two species, S. excavatus Anker, 2011 and S. alvarezi Anker Lazarus, 2015, are recorded regionally from Las Perlas Archipelago in Panama and Playa Tarcoles in Costa Rica, both for the first time since their original descriptions. An identification key to the five currently known eastern Pacific species of Salmoneus is provided. However, several immature and/or incomplete specimens herein preliminarily reported as Salmoneus spp., as well photographic records from southern California, USA, indicate the presence of further undescribed species in the eastern Pacific.

Five species of shrimps, four carideans and one stenopodidean, are recorded for the first time from the Caribbean coast of Panama: Lysmata vittata (Stimpson, 1860) [Lysmatidae Dana, 1852], Periclimenaeus ascidiarum Holthuis, 1951, P. bredini Chace, 1972, P. maxillulidens (Schmitt, 1936) [Palaemonidae Rafinesque, 1815], and Odontozona edyli Criales Lemaitre, 2017 [Stenopodidae Claus, 1872]. Rather surprisingly, L. vittata is recorded from the Caribbean Sea for the first time. However, the taxonomic status of all western Atlantic specimens currently assigned to L. vittata (including the Panamanian material and the Brazilian L. rauli Laubenheimer Rhyne, 2010) will need a much more careful reassessment, which will only be possible after determining the taxonomic identity of L. vittata in the Indo-West Pacific. The colour patterns of P. ascidiarum, P. bredini and O. edyli, herein illustrated for the first time, appear to be species-diagnostic and may serve as additional important taxonomic characters. For O. edyli, the previously unknown thoracic sternum of the female is illustrated, as well as the variation in the rostral dentition.

A new snapping shrimp is described based on several specimens collected on a shallow coral reef off Isla Popa in Bocas del Toro, on the Caribbean coast of Panama. All specimens of Alpheus naranjo sp. nov. were extracted from dead colonies of the thin-leaf lettuce coral, Agaricia tenuifolia Dana, at a depth of about 2 m. Based on its morphological characteristics, the new species belongs to a small species complex that also includes A. blachei Crosnier Forest, 1965 from the tropical eastern Atlantic, and A. felgenhaueri Kim Abele, 1988 and A. confusus Carvacho, 1989, both from the tropical eastern Pacific. Alpheus naranjo sp. nov. can be separated from all of them by the relatively longer fingers of the minor chela, which are devoid of balaeniceps setae, as well as some other morphological details. In the western Atlantic, A. naranjo sp. nov. is the only large uniformly orange-red snapping shrimp, hence its proposed new name. The colour patterns of A. blachei and A. confusus are illustrated for the first time.

A new, conspicuously coloured species of the alpheid genus Synalpheus Spence Bate, 1888, is described based on material collected on the Pacific coast of Panama. Synalpheus pinkfloydi sp. nov. is closely related to the western Atlantic S. antillensis Coutière, 1909, the two taxa being transisthmian, cryptic sister species. Both species are characterised by the distal areas of their major and minor chelae coloured in an intense, almost glowing pink-red. The morphological differences between S. pinkfloydi sp. nov. and S. antillensis Coutière, 1909 are subtle, being limited to the slightly different proportions of the merus of both chelipeds, distodorsal armature of the major cheliped merus, relative length of the antennal scaphocerite, and body size. However, they are genetically different with a 10.2% sequence divergence in COI. Based on molecular clock estimates, these transisthmian taxa diverged around 6.8-7.8 mya, i.e. well before the final closure of the Isthmus of Panama 2.5-3 mya.

A new species of the infaunal alpheid shrimp genus Leptalpheus Williams, 1965 is described based on material from three localities on the Caribbean coast of Panama and Isla Chimana Grande, Venezuela. Leptalpheus pereirai sp. nov. belongs to a group of species characterised by the presence of well-developed adhesive disks on the major chela and appears to dwell in burrows of the large callianassid ghost shrimp, Glypturus acanthochirus Stimpson 1866.

Six species of the mud-shrimp genus Axianassa Schmitt, 1924, herein placed in the Laomediidae, are reported from Panama, five species from the Pacific coast and one species from the Caribbean coast. Axianassa mineri Boone, 1931 and A. canalis Kensley & Heard, 1990, both originally described from the Pacific coast of Panama, are reported from new Panamanian localities, with the former species also reported from a new locality on the Pacific coast of Mexico. Additional illustrations complete the original descriptions of these two species. The recently described A. darrylfelderi Anker & Lazarus, 2015, previously known only from the type material from the Pacific coast of Colombia, is reported for the first time from Panama, whereas A. jamaicensis Kensley & Heard, 1990, previously known only from Jamaica, is reported for the first time from the Caribbean coast of Panama. Two species, viz. A. linda sp. nov. and A. christyi sp. nov., are described as new based on material from the Azuero Peninsula and the Las Perlas Archipelago, on the Pacific coast of Panama. Colour photographs are provided for all six species. A revised key to the 13 presently known species of Axianassa is provided, in addition to some taxonomic remarks on the genus and a justification for its placement in the family Laomediidae rather than Axianassidae.

The bumpy-clawed snapping shrimp, Alpheus malleator Dana, 1852 (Alpheidae), is revised based on the recently collected and older museum material from the eastern Pacific (Panama, Ecuador), Caribbean (Panama, Puerto Rico, Trinidad & Tobago), Brazil (São Paulo), and West Africa (Cape Verde, Senegal, Guinea, Equatorial Guinea, Congo). The eastern Pacific material is assigned to A. wonkimi sp. nov., based on one morphological difference in the colour and thickness of the uropodal spiniform seta, as well as previously published molecular data. The Caribbean, Brazilian and West African material is considered to represent a single, widespread, morphologically variable, amphi-Atlantic taxon, A. malleator. Alpheus pugilator A. Milne-Edwards, 1878 is retained as ajunior synonym of A. malleator, whereas A. tuberculosus Osorio, 1892, A. malleator var. edentatus Zimmer, 1913 and A. belli Coutière, 1898, the latter two based on juvenile specimens, are tentatively placed in the synonymy of A. malleator. Illustrations, including colour photographs, are provided for A. wonkimi sp. nov. and A. malleator and their morphological variability is discussed and illustrated.