As one of the largest families within the Caridea, the Alpheidae have attracted much attention for its species richness, especially on coral reefs. The Alpheidae are one of the most abundant decapods in tropical and subtropical areas, with 48 genera and more than 700 known species. The Alpheidae present a particular challenge in terms of both taxonomy and systematics as they are difficult to identify (some species vary in their growth and there are often large differences between the sexes). Traditional, morphology-based research on the Alpheidae still plays an important role in identifying species, compared with new methods, such as the short gene sequences.

Based on more than 2000 specimens collected from the China Seas, this book describes and clearly illustrates 146 species belonging to 16 genera of the Alpheidae. It also presents the key features of every genus and every species within every genus, to enable readers to easily identify the alphid shrimps of the China Seas.

Autorentext

Prof. Zhongli Sha is the Head of the Office of Research and Technology at the Department Marine Organism Taxonomy and Phylogeny, Institute of Oceanology, Chinese Academy of Sciences. He is also a member of the Editorial Board for the journal Zoological Systematics. As a marine biologist, his current research interests focus on taxonomy and molecular phylogeny of crustaceans, biodiversity and DNA barcodes. He has published over 30 international journal articles on these topics, and 6 monographs on the taxonomy and biodiversity of crustaceans.

Yanrong Wang is a Ph.D. student at the Key Laboratory of Zoological Systematics and Evolution, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, and holds a Master's degree from the Department Marine Organism Taxonomy and Phylogeny, Institute of Oceanology, Chinese Academy of Sciences. Her research interests focus on the taxonomy of Decapoda and Amphipoda, and she has published over 10 international journal papers..

Dongling Cui holds a Master's degree from the Department Marine Organism Taxonomy and Phylogeny, Institute of Oceanology, Chinese Academy of Sciences. Her research mainly focuses on the taxonomy of alphid shrimps, and she has published 2 jounal papers.

Inhalt

Part I Introduction

Part II Taxonomy of Alpheidae from China seas

Chapter 1 Genus Alpheopsis Coutière

Chapter 2 Genus Alpheus Fabricius

1) Brevirostris Group

2) Crinitus Group 3) Diadema Group

4) Edwardsii Group

5) Macrocheles Group

6) Obesomanus Group

7) Sulcatus Group

Chapter 3 Genus Arete Stimpson