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Length-weight relationships (LWR) and relative condition factor were described for species of deep-water crustaceans caught with bottom trawls in a depth range between 150 and 535 m during August and December of 2009, and March and May of 2010 in the Colombian Caribbean Sea. A linear regression was performed using the logarithmically transformed data to calculate the a and b coefficients of the LWR for 22 crustacean species corresponding to 13 families and 19 genera and three types of crustaceans (shrimp, crab, lobster). Six crustacean species showed a maximum total length greater than that reported in SeaLifeBase: Garymunida longipes (77.00 mm), Eunephrops bairdii (220.00 mm), Metanephrops binghami (197.46 mm), Penaeopsis serrata (149.00 mm), Polycheles typhlops (196.27 mm) and Pleoticus robustus (240.00 mm). A total of 11 species (50.0%) exhibited isometric growth, five species (22.7%) negative allometric and six species (27.3%) positive allometric. This study shows the first estimates of LWR for 12 species of deep-water crustaceans in the Colombian Caribbean Sea. We demonstrate for the first time that the growth parameters (intercept and slope) of the LWR varying significantly as a function of the body shape of crabs, lobsters and shrimps in deep-water crustaceans.

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INTRODUCTION: The lobster cockroach Nauphoeta cinerea (N. cinerea) is indicated as a promising non-mammalian model, because it presents behavioral and biochemical alterations also observed in conventional models. In this research, we identified and characterized the distribution of protozoa that inhabit the digestive system (DS) of N. cinerea cockroaches. METHODS: The adult specimens of N. cinerea used in this study (n = 32) were obtained at the Federal University of Santa Maria, dissected and had their visceral contents observed in bright-field microscopy without staining and after application of lugol, Ziehl-Neelsen staining, EA36 trichrome and simulated dark-field microscopy with application of nankin ink. The presence of protozoa in different portions of the DS was semi-quantified by a system of crosses (+). RESULTS: The main taxa observed were: amoebas (Archaemebae:Entamoebida), gregarins (Apicomplexa:Eugregarinide), coccidia (Apicomplexa:Eucoccidiorida), kinetoplastids (Kinetoplastea:Kinetoplastida) and oxymonads (Preaxostyla:Oxymonadida). The highest prevalence of amoebas and gregarines was observed in the medial portion of the DS, while for the other groups, this was seen in the final portion, and in the case of coccidia, such prevalence was specially evidenced by the alcohol-acid coloration. In the present work, the great biological diversity that exists in the microbiota of the digestive system of Nauphoeta cinerea was demonstrated, being possible to find several pathogenic species for humans such as Entamoeba histolytica/dispar/moshkovskii, Cryptosporidium sp. and Cyclospora cayetanensis. There is still a lot to know about the interactions between endocommensal protozoa and their respective invertebrate hosts, so the best way to clarify such relationships is through molecular and genetic test.

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Resumen Introducción: En el hábitat natural, el estado nutricional insatisfactorio de un número elevado de ejemplares es expresión de la influencia de factores desfavorables. Objetivo: Determinar variaciones espacio-temporales en el estado nutricional de langostas Panulirus argus, relacionarlas con variaciones reportadas en la comunidad bentónica y demostrar, mediante la aplicación de indicadores analíticos y morfométricos, que la variación de factores ambientales afecta a ambos grupos de índices; y que no todos los índices de condición nutricional evidencian por igual el impacto generalizado del proceso de deterioro ambiental en este golfo. Métodos: Las langostas se capturaron en seis áreas de pesca. La condición nutricional se estimó mediante tres índices no destructivos, poco costosos y de fácil y rápida aplicación (extensivos): índice de refracción de la hemolinfa (IRH), relación peso total / largo total = Klt, y factor de condición (FCA). Las variaciones a largo plazo (60 años) se determinaron mediante índices morfométricos (Klt y FCA). Se analizaron datos de los períodos 1963-1964 (N = 29 001), 1983-1993 (N = 3 123) y 2011-2017 (N = 3 600), separándolos en épocas de Lluvia y Seca. Resultados: En todos los períodos la condición nutricional varió significativamente entre áreas, pero sin similitudes entre períodos. Esto indica que los factores que impactan en el estado nutricional tienen una influencia estocástica más característica de factores ambientales. Aunque los tres índices fueron menores en 2017, sólo IRH disminuyó gradualmente entre 2011 y 2017, lo que sugiere que este índice, y los morfométricos, expresan diferente información. Todas las correlaciones fueron estadísticamente significativas, los coeficientes más altos se establecieron entre los índices morfométricos. El peso total y el Klt no mostraron diferencias entre Seca y Lluvia. Sin embargo, IRH y FCA resultaron mayores en Seca, hecho que se constató para cada sexo. FCA y Klt no presentaron diferencias entre el período 1963-1964 y el período 1983-1993, pero aumentaron (P < 0.05) en el período 2011-2017, lo que, dado el carácter morfométrico de estos índices, se atribuye a la presencia de langostas de mayor peso en las áreas de pesca. Conclusiones: Los menores valores en 2017 y la tendencia gradual al decrecimiento de IRH, corroboran el carácter generalizado del deterioro ambiental en el golfo de Batabanó, lo cual no fue igualmente expresado por los tres índices.

Abstract Introduction: Nutritional condition indices are morphophysiological estimators that quantify the nutritional status of organisms. In the natural habitat, unsatisfactory nutritional stage of numerous individuals is an expression of unfavorable factors. Objectives: Determine spatio-temporal variations in the nutritional condition of lobsters Panulirus argus, relate them to variations reported in the benthic community, and to demonstrate, through the application of analytical and morphometric indices, that variations of environmental factors affects both groups of indices due to its potential magnitude and its generalized nature. Methods: Lobsters were captured at six sites. Nutritional condition was estimated by three non-destructive, inexpensive and quick indices also easy to apply, which it means extensive indices: blood refractive index (BRI), relationship between total weight and total length (K), and condition factor (CFA). Because there are no historical records of BRI, long-term variations (60 years) were determined using morphometric indices (Klt and CFA). Data from the periods 1963-1964 (N = 29 001), 1983-1993 (N = 3 123) and 2011-2017 (N = 3 600) were analyzed, separating them in the rainy and dry seasons. Results: In all the periods the nutritional condition varied significantly between sites, but without similarities between periods. Despite this, it increased progressively in three sites. This indicates that factors impacting nutritional condition have a stochastic influence that is constantly changing, which is more characteristic of environmental factors than anthropogenic factors. Although the three indices showed a lower nutritional condition in 2017, only BRI gradually decreased between 2011 (16.6) and 2017 (14.2), which suggests that this index, and the morphometrics (Klt and CFA), express different information. All correlations were statistically significant but greatest coefficients were established between morphometric indices. The total weight and the Klt index did not show differences between rainy and dry seasons. However, BRI and CFA were statistically greater in dry season, a fact that was found for each sex. Both CFA and Klt decreased slightly (P > 0.05) between the first (1963-1964) and the second (1983-1993) period and then increased (P < 0.05) in the current period (2011-2017). Because they both are morphometric indices, this was attributed to the presence of greater weight lobsters. Conclusions: The lowest values in 2017 and gradually decreasing trend in BRI, corroborate the generalized nature of the environmental deterioration in the Gulf of Batabanó, but this was not equally expressed by the three indices.

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A new species of Pseudione Kossmann, 1881 is described from two parasitized specimens of the clawed lobster Nephropsis aculeata Smith, 1881, collected from Brazilian waters in the southwestern Atlantic. It is the second species of the genus from Brazil and is the fourth species parasitizing nephropid lobsters in the world.

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Suitable peptidases for biotechnological applications are those active at low temperature, in organic solvents, detergents or proteolytic additives. American lobster cathepsin D1 (CD1) is an enzyme highly efficient at 5-50°C and at pH 2.5-5.5. We assessed the effect of common industrial additives on CD1 activity. CD1 was isolated from lobster gastric fluid by chromatography. The proteolytic activity was measured using a fluorogenic specific substrate and the conformation by intrinsic fluorescence. Non-ionic detergents Tween-20 and Triton X-100 stabilize the peptidase activity. Ethanol, methanol and isopropanol [5-15% (v/v)] increased the enzyme activity up to 80%. The enzyme is active until 2.5M urea and is resistant to proteolysis by papain and renin. In this work, a crustacean peptidase that remains active when exposed to different chemical and proteolytic additives is reported, evincing that crustaceans are a good model for discovery of novel stable peptidases for future pharmaceutical, cosmetic and alimentary applications.

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Gastroliths are highly calcified structures formed in the cardiac stomach wall of crustaceans for the temporary storage of amorphous CaCO3 (ACC). The gastrolithic ACC is stabilized by the presence of biomolecules, and represents a novel model for research into biomineralization. For the first time, an in vitro biomimetic retrosynthesis of scaffolds of gastrolithic matrices with CaCO3 is presented. With the help of synthetic polyacrylic (PAA) and phytic (PA) acids, amorphous precursor particles were stabilized in double (DD) and gas (GD) diffusion crystallization assays. The presence of these synthetic molecules as efficient inhibitors of nucleation and growth of CaCO3, and the use of biological gastrolith scaffolds as confined reaction environments determined the kinetics of crystallization, and controlled the morphogenesis of CaCO3. The formation of ACC particles was demonstrated and their crystallization was followed by light microscopy, scanning and transmission electron microscopy, and electron diffraction.

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The Galapagos slipper lobster Scyllarides astori was found for the first time off western Mexico mainland. A male and two female specimens were collected in south Jalisco and north Colima. This represents a new record from central Pacific coast of Mexico and a range extension of 700 km southwards, as the species was previously reported from the Gulf of California, 780 km eastwards from Revillagigedo Archipelago and 2400 km northwestwards from Isla del Coco and Galapagos Archipelago.

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The genus Nephropsis Wood-Mason, 1872 has been reported from Brazil by Tavares (1998), Tavares & Young (2002), Silva et al. (2003), Dall´Occo et al. (2007) and Serejo et al. (2007), recording Nephropsis aculeata Smith, 1881, N. rosea Bate, 1888 and N. agassizii A. Milne-Edwards, 1880, the last of which occurs in both northeastern and southeastern of Brazil.

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The amount of Uruguayan lobster Metanephrops rubellus landed in the state of São Paulo has shown considerable annual variation, at first due to ups and downs in the fishing sector interest. However, biological factors may also be influencing, since little is known about the biology of M. rubellus, and most of the available literature on Nephropidae refer to the Norwegian lobster (Nephrops norvegicus), which is morphologically and behaviorally similar. The morphometric relations found characterize the relative growth of M. rubellus as positive allometric, except for Ct x Cc x Pt and Pa, which showed isometric growth. The length at first maturity (L50) and the length frequencies distribution indicate that fisheries are focusing preferably on the portion of population able to reproduce, saving the immature ones. Due to this and to the biological and behavioral similarity between N. norvegicus and M. rubellus, fishing closure or minimum size of capture are not recommended as fishery management tools. Instead, additional research is proposed in order to define the distribution area and density of population, to establish fishing exclusion areas, which function as reservoirs for replenishment of stocks. It is also essential monitoring the population dynamics parameters, in order to control fishing effort.

A estatística pesqueira paulista mostra considerável oscilação anual na quantidade de lagostim desembarcado, a princípio devido a altos e baixos no interesse do setor pesqueiro. No entanto, fatores biológicos também podem estar influenciando, já que pouco se conhece da biologia de M. rubellus, pois as principais referências disponíveis sobre nefropídeos referem-se ao lagostim norueguês (Nephrops norvegicus), espécie europeia similar morfológica e comportamentalmente. As relações morfométricas encontradas caracterizam o crescimento relativo de M. rubellus como alométrico positivo, exceto para Ct x Cc e Pt x Pa, que mostraram isometria. O comprimento de início da fase de maturidade (L50) e a distribuição de comprimentos dos exemplares capturados indicam que a pesca incidiu preferencialmente sobre indivíduos aptos à reprodução. Devido a isto e à similitude biológica e comportamental entre N. norvegicus e M. rubellus não são indicados o defeso ou o tamanho mínimo de captura como instrumentos de gestão da pescaria, propondo-se a realização de pesquisas para definir a área de distribuição e densidade da população, visando estabelecer áreas de exclusão de pesca que funcionem como reservatórios para a reposição dos estoques. É essencial ainda monitorar o comportamento dos parâmetros de dinâmica populacional, visando ao controle do esforço de pesca.

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The amount of Uruguayan lobster Metanephrops rubellus landed in the state of São Paulo has shown considerable annual variation, at first due to ups and downs in the fishing sector interest. However, biological factors may also be influencing, since little is known about the biology of M. rubellus, and most of the available literature on Nephropidae refer to the Norwegian lobster (Nephrops norvegicus), which is morphologically and behaviorally similar. The morphometric relations found characterize the relative growth of M. rubellus as positive allometric, except for Ct x Cc x Pt and Pa, which showed isometric growth. The length at first maturity (L50) and the length frequencies distribution indicate that fisheries are focusing preferably on the portion of population able to reproduce, saving the immature ones. Due to this and to the biological and behavioral similarity between N. norvegicus and M. rubellus, fishing closure or minimum size of capture are not recommended as fishery management tools. Instead, additional research is proposed in order to define the distribution area and density of population, to establish fishing exclusion areas, which function as reservoirs for replenishment of stocks. It is also essential monitoring the population dynamics parameters, in order to control fishing effort.(AU)

A estatística pesqueira paulista mostra considerável oscilação anual na quantidade de lagostim desembarcado, a princípio devido a altos e baixos no interesse do setor pesqueiro. No entanto, fatores biológicos também podem estar influenciando, já que pouco se conhece da biologia de M. rubellus, pois as principais referências disponíveis sobre nefropídeos referem-se ao lagostim norueguês (Nephrops norvegicus), espécie europeia similar morfológica e comportamentalmente. As relações morfométricas encontradas caracterizam o crescimento relativo de M. rubellus como alométrico positivo, exceto para Ct x Cc e Pt x Pa, que mostraram isometria. O comprimento de início da fase de maturidade (L50) e a distribuição de comprimentos dos exemplares capturados indicam que a pesca incidiu preferencialmente sobre indivíduos aptos à reprodução. Devido a isto e à similitude biológica e comportamental entre N. norvegicus e M. rubellus não são indicados o defeso ou o tamanho mínimo de captura como instrumentos de gestão da pescaria, propondo-se a realização de pesquisas para definir a área de distribuição e densidade da população, visando estabelecer áreas de exclusão de pesca que funcionem como reservatórios para a reposição dos estoques. É essencial ainda monitorar o comportamento dos parâmetros de dinâmica populacional, visando ao controle do esforço de pesca.(AU)

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