Contribution to the knowledge of the deep brachyuran fauna (Crustacea: Decapoda) in waters off Mauritania (NW Africa)

Abstract

Four multidisciplinary oceanographic surveys were conducted in November and December from 2007 to 2010, along the Mauritanian coast (NW Africa). A total of 10,514 brachyuran crabs belonging to 33 species were captured in 316 hauls at depths between 79 and 1867 m. The most specious family was Inachidae represented by nine species; the remaining 24 species belonged to 16 other brachyuran families.Monodaeus cristulatusis reported for the first time since its original description. Seven other species,Ethusa rugulosa, Pseudomyra mbizi, Inachus grallator, Macropodia gilsoni, Macropodia hesperiae, Solenolambrus noordendeiandSpinolambrus notialisextend their range of distribution northwards and, together withGoneplax barnardi, are reported here for the first time in Mauritanian waters. New data about depth ranges are reported forAcanthocarpus brevispinis, Ethusa rugulosa, Inachus aguiarii, Inachus grallator, Inachus nanus, Macropodia macrocheles, Solenolambrus noordendei, Spinolambrus notialis, Liocarcinus corrugatusandMonodaeus cristulatus. New data relating to the spawning period for most of the species are also included, as are some biogeographic and bathymetric considerations about brachyurans studied in the area.