User:Serg10020/Batodaeus

 Introduction/Summary 

Batodaeus is a genus within the family of Xanthidae, which also contains gorilla crabs, mud crabs, pebble crabs, and rubble crabs (ITIS…). Batodaeus adanad belongs to the subfamily Euxanthinae. The name Batodeus incorporates two terms: First, the name of the research vessel on which the organism was discovered, “Bato.” “Daeus '' refers to the similarity in the genus monodaeus. Subfamilies are extremely hard to differentiate between often due to many inconsistencies (Ng et al.). The defining characteristic that distinguishes Euxanthinae is the first anterolateral tooth, which is separated and protrudes beyond the orbit of the edge and continues towards the anterior buccal cavity (Ng et al.). The major difference between these “subfamilies '' is tedious, and grouping mostly relies on the shape and structure of the carapace (exoskeleton of crab that makes up head and thorax), male abdomen shape, and sternum (Serène, Raoul). It is still highly contested that the defining characteristics that differentiate between Xanthidae and Euxanthidae are different enough to be considered “defining characteristics” of the subfamily (Ng et al.). This newly founded genus, batodaeus, however, has many distinct characteristics including, a chitinous top shell that is wide and protuberant: nearly six-sided, and all parts of the top exoskeleton are rough to the touch, along with a convex carapace with acute spines(Gracia, Adolfo). A distinct line is found centered laterally on the top shell preceded by several indentations. Batodaeus closely resembles the genus monodaeus Guinot in terms of characteristics, including an inflated hepatic region, four anterolateral teeth (also common in Xanthinae), and a rough textured carapace (Gracia, Adolfo).

 Distribution 

Batodaeus adanad was originally found in the bay of Campeche, within the Gulf of Mexico, and it is not uncommon to find these types of crabs in the Western Atlantic, specifically in depths of 160 to 250 meters (Gracia, Adolfo).

 Feeding/Reproduction 

As of current, there is no scientific evidence regarding the specific reproductive and feeding behaviors of Batodaeus adanad. However, we currently can define these behaviors as being similar to those found in closely related members of the family Xanthidae. Reproduction of mud crabs consists of 4 highly specialized zoeal (larvae) stages followed by a megalopa stage, with the first zoeal stage being characterized by the creation of dorsal, lateral, and rostral spines on the carapace along with antennae lacking pigment (Hyman, Orren Williams). Each stage is followed by a molt which can add appendages and also replace the shell (NOAA). The Megalopa stage is the final planktonic stage before the development of the first crab (Rodriguez et al.). Most crabs tend to be omnivores, however, variability in the diet is not uncommon (Choy, Satish C).

 Bibliography 


 * Choy, Satish C. “Natural Diet and Feeding Habits of the Crabs Liocarcinus Puber and L. Holsatus (Decapoda, Brachyura, Portunidae).” Marine Ecology Progress Series, vol. 31, no. 1, 1986, pp. 87–99, http://www.jstor.org/stable/24817268 . Accessed 26 Apr. 2022.
 * Fisheries, NOAA. “Alaska Shellfish Growth Research.” NOAA, 17 Feb. 2022, https://www.fisheries.noaa.gov/alaska/science-data/alaska-shellfish-growth-research#:~:text=Molting%3A%20How%20Crabs%20Grow&text=Just%20as%20we%20outgrow%20our,underlying%20skin%20(or%20epidermis).
 * Gracia, Ana Rosa Vazquez-Baderand Adolfo. "MacLeay, 1838 (Crustacea: Decapoda: Brachyura) from the southwestern Gulf of Mexico." Proceedings of the Biological Society of Washington 117.4 (2004): 505-513.
 * Hyman, Orren Williams. "Studies on the larvae of crabs of the family Xanthidae." Proceedings of the United States National Museum (1925).
 * “Integrated Taxonomic Information System - Report.” ITIS, https://www.itis.gov/servlet/SingleRpt/SingleRpt?search_topic=TSN&search_value=98748#null.
 * Ng, Peter KL, Daniele Guinot, and Peter JF Davie. "Systema Brachyurorum: Part I. An annotated checklist of extant brachyuran crabs of the world." The raffles bulletin of zoology 17.1 (2008): 1-286.
 * Rodriguez, Antonio, and Joel W. Martin. "Larval development of the crab Xantho poressa (Decapoda: Xanthidae) reared in the laboratory." Journal of Crustacean Biology 17.1 (1997): 98-110.
 * Serène, Raoul. "Crustacés Décapodes Brachyoures de l'océan Indien occidental et de la mer Rouge, Xanthoidea: Xanthidae et Trapeziidae. Avec un addendum par Crosnier A.: Carpiliidae et Menippidae." Faune tropicale 24 (1984): 1-243.