Notes on the Distribution and Biology of Galatheidae and Chirostylidae (Decapoda: Anomura) from the Middle Atlantic Bight

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Abstract
Twelve species of Galatheidae and 1 sp. of Chirostylidae numbering 6928 individuals were retrieved from trawl collections made on the continental shelf, slope and rise in the Middle Atlantic Bight. The most abundant species collectes was Munida iris iris which constituted > 90% of the total catch of galatheoidean anomurans. Three other species (Munidopsis rostrata, Munida valida and M. longipes) comprised > 1% of the total number of Galatheoidea. The bathymetric distribution of Munidopsis spp. was confined to depths > 500 m; all but 2 Munida spp. were collected from the continental shelf and upper slope. Munida spp. and Eumunida picta produced large numbers of small egg; eggs from Munida spp. were large and few in number. Ovigerous females of all species examined, except Munida microphthalma and E. picta, had larger carapace lenghts than males and other females. For most species, little evidence was seen of reproductive seasonality since ovigerous females were collected throughout the year, but ovigerous females of Munida longipes, Munidopsis bairdii and E. picta were collected only in fall or winter. Parasites of Galatheoidea were mainly bopyrid isopods and rhizocephalan barnacles. The incidence of parasitism was low for all species examined.

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