Variation in rostral dentition and telson setation in a saltmarsh population of Palaemonetes varians (Leach) (Crustacea: Decapoda: Palaemonidae)

Abstract

A study was undertaken on the variability of rostral dentition and telson setation in a saltmarsh population of Palaemonetes varians (Leach), collected from the Douglas Estuary, Cork Harbour, Ireland. Both these morphological characters are thought to be of taxonomic value, but have been little studied. A comparison with literature data indicates a latitudinal trend with a higher frequency of six dorsal teeth at higher latitudes. However, more studies are needed to validate this trend. Only a minor amount of individuals deviated from harbouring two ventral sub-terminal setae on the telson, hence this character could be used to separate some of the European members of the genus.[PUBLICATION ABSTRACT]