Parasitic bopyrid isopods of hermit crabs (Anomura, Paguridae) from the Atlantic coast of Mexico, with notes on their reproduction and distribution

Abstract

Six species of bopyrids were detected from the examination of hermit crabs collected along the Atlantic coasts of Mexico and deposited in the Colección Nacional de Crustáceos housed at the Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México. Asymmetrione tuxtlaensis sp. nov., the third species of the genus from the west Atlantic, is described. The occurrence of Asymmetrione desultor, Pseudostegias atlantica and Stegias clibanarii are recorded for the first time from the Mexican Atlantic coasts and the distribution range of the last two species is extended. Both a new host and three new localities for Mexico are reported for Anathelges hyptius and Bopyrissa wolffi, respectively. Distribution and reproductive data are provided for all six species examined. A key to genera and species of bopyrid isopods that parasitize hermit crabs in the Mexican Atlantic is provided.

Keywords

• Epicaridea
• ectoparasite
• embryo size
• fecundity
• host-parasite association