Animal colour signals used in intraspecies communications can generally be attributed to a composite effect of structural and pigmentary colours. Notably, the functional role of iridescent coloration that is 'purely' structural (i.e., absence of pigments) is poorly understood. Recent studies reveal that iridescent colorations can reliably indicate individual quality, but evidence of iridescence...

Daphnia (Crustacea, Cladocera) are well known for their ability to form morphological adaptations to defend against predators. In addition to spines and helmets, the carapace itself is a protective structure encapsulating the main body, but not the head. It is formed by a double layer of the integument interconnected by small pillars and hemolymphatic space in between. A second function of the ...

Paramoguai kavieng is recognised as a new genus and species of camptandriid crab, recently discovered in Papua New Guinea. The new genus closely resembles Moguai Tan & Ng, 1999, from the western Pacific, sharing similar carapace and pereopod structure, but is distinguished chiefly by the fusion of the maxilliped 3 ischiomerus, features of the epistome and front, and position of the anterolatera...

A new species of xanthid crab (Brachyura: Xanthidae) is described from the Bohol Sea in the central Philippines. Xanthias joanneae sp. nov. is most similar in morphology to X. maculatus Sakai, 1961 (type locality: Sagami Bay, Japan), particularly in the presence of distinctive ocelli on the carapace and pereopods. It can be separated from this species by the greater number of ocelli on the dors...

The carapace length-weight relationship in juvenile Brachyura (crabs) was studied theoretically to assess the relevance of the allometric factor and the validity of the condition factor as these factors are often not determined because most fishery investigations are conducted for adult population. The allometric factor appears to be the main parameter in the equation: W = aLb (where W = weight...

Platycuma bamberconfabulor sp. nov. is based on a specimen from the Ross Sea. The species can be distinguished from the other species in the genus through the combination of a laterally expanded and somewhat dorsoventrally flattened carapace, anterior margin of the carapace excavate in dorsal view, uropod peduncles less than twice as long as pleonite 6, and subequal pleonites 4 and 5.

A new genus and new species of semi-terrestrial crab of the family Potamidae, Binhthuanomon vinhtan n. sp., is described from south central Vietnam. The new genus is morphologically closest to Villopotamon Dang & Ho, 2003, and Balssipotamon Dang & Ho, 2008, in the shapes of the carapace and first gonopod but is easily distinguished by distinct carapace characteristics and gonopod 1 structures, ...

Stone crayfish (Austropotamobius torrentium) is one of the four native European crayfish species inhabiting Croatian freshwaters and is protected by Croatian law. The aim of this work was to investigate several aspects of species life cycle, morphometrics and habitat preferences. Populations were studied for 18 months in two streams in the Karlovac County. Crayfish were trapped once a month. Al...

Growth of captive leatherback turtles, Dermochelys coriacea, with inferences on growth in the wild: Implications for population decline and recovery a b s t r a c t a r t i c l e i n f o Leatherback turtles (Dermochelys coriacea) are endangered, and declining population trends suggest that they are vulnerable to becoming extinct in the Pacific Ocean. Population recovery depends on strong conser...

Three axiid species and one calocaridid are recorded from Taiwan. The three deepwater species are described as new: Calaxius manningi, having a finely pitted carapace and strongly spinose chelipeds; Calocarides chani, which possesses finely tuberculate first chelipeds; and Ambiaxius foveolatus, which has a shallowly pitted carapace branchiostegite. Neaxius acanthus (A. Milne Edwards) is recorde...