Synalpheus apioceros Coutiere 1909

Synalpheus apioceros Coutière, 1909 Material examined: Maranhão—São José de Ribamar: 1 F, Praia de Araçagi, MOUFPE 9111; Pernambuco— Cabo de Santo Agostinho: 2 F, Baía de Suape, 8°21′54′′S 34°56′50′′W, MOUFPE 21871; Goiana: 1 M, 1 OV, Milênio Project, St. 03, Rio Carrapicho, 11.ii.2004, MOUFPE 15783; 1 M, Praia de Pontas de Pedra, 07°37′00′′S 34°48′51′′W, 1.0 m depth, MOUFPE 21873; Ilha de Itamaracá: 1 M, MOUFPE 8897; Paulista: 1 M, Praia de Maria Farinha, MOUFPE 8788; Continental Shelf off Recife: 1 M, 07.ii.2018, 8°08′51.5′′S 34°34′08.0′′W, 65.0 m depth, in sponge, MOUFPE 21803. Description: Coutière (1909) and Anker et al. (2012). Distribution: USA (Florida), Gulf of Mexico, Bahamas, Caribbean Sea, Suriname, and Brazil (from Amapá to Santa Catarina and seamounts of the North Chain) (Chace 1972; Lemaitre 1984; Christoffersen 1998; Coelho-Filho 2006; Anker et al. 2012). Ecology: On rocky shores with high concentration of sponges, ascidians and coral rubble; in crevices of coral rocks, among ascidians, bryozoans and sponges; in mangrove areas, either among the roots or in shipwormperforated mangrove wood; mostly in heterosexual pairs; intertidal to 65 m (Pequegnat & Ray 1974; Rodríguez 1980; Anker et al. 2012; this study). Remarks: The present study extends the known bathymetric depth of S. apioceros from 20 m (Pequegnat & Ray 1974) to 65 m. This species exhibits notable morphological variation and has been suggested as a potential species complex (Anker et al. 2012). Further studies are required to comprehensively assess the extent of morphological variation within what is currently recognized as S. apioceros.