Palaemonella americana
Creators: name: Fransen, Charles H. J. M.
Publisher: name: Zenodo
Year: 2023
Subjects: Biodiversity
Taxonomy
Animalia
Arthropoda
Malacostraca
Decapoda
Palaemonidae
Palaemonella
Palaemonella americana

description: Palaemonella americana (Kingsley, 1878)
(Figs. 8–9, video 3)
Periclimenes americanus — Rathbun 1920: 8 (Aruba, Sint Eustatius); Schmitt 1936: 370 (Bonaire); Holthuis 1951b: 60 (Aruba, Sint Eustatius); Abele & Kim 1986: 15 (Aruba)
Cuapetes americanus — Horká et al. 2016: supplementary table S1 (Curaçao); Poupin 2018: 106 (Sint Maarten).
Cuapetes americanus A.— Frolová et al. 2022: Figs 3, 4.
Palaemonella americana —Frolová et al. in press.
Material examined. Curaçao: RMNH. CRUS.D.23828: 1 male, pocl. 3.3 mm, R =2+7/2; Piscaderabaai, SE part, 18.vii.1963, collected by P. Wagenaar Hummelinck (fcn. 1468). RMNH. CRUS.D.28343: 2 ovigerous females, pocl. 2.2, 2.8 mm, R =2+5/2); 3 non-ovigerous females, pocl. 1.3–2.2 mm, R =2+5–7/2–3; 4 males, pocl. 2.3 mm, R =2+6– 7/2; Piscaderabaai, 17.xii.1963, littoral collecting, mangrove, rocks and Rhizophora sp., collected by P. Wagenaar Hummelinck (fcn. 1466). RMNH. CRUS.D.28346: 2 males, pocl. 2.5, 2.8 mm, R =2+5/2, and rostrum damaged; Piscaderabaai, 02.i.1964, depth 0–1 m, collected by P. Wagenaar Hummelinck (fcn. 1462). RMNH. CRUS.D.28347: 1 ovigerous female, pocl. 3.2 mm, R =2+6/2; 2 males, pocl. 2.2, 3.3 mm, R =2+6–7/2; Piscaderabaai, near Enoch, 02.ii.1949, mud, Rhizophora sp., collected by P. Wagenaar Hummelinck (fcn. 1028A). RMNH. CRUS.D.28348: 9 ovigerous females, pocl. 1.9–2.5 mm, R =2+5–7/2; 1 non-ovigerous female, pocl. 1.9 mm R =2+7/2; 13 males, pocl. 1.3–2.5 mm, R =2+6/2; 1 juvenile, pocl. 0.8 mm, R =1+5/1; 2 damaged specimens; Piscaderabaai, 14.xii.1963, sand, Rhizophora sp., garbage and Halimeda sp., collected by P. Wagenaar Hummelinck (fcn. 1460A). RMNH. CRUS. D.28349: 2 ovigerous females, pocl. 3.8 mm, R =1+6/2, 3.1 mm, R =2+6/2; 3 males, pocl. 2.1 mm R =2+7/2, 2.0 mm R =2+4/1 (abberant due to damage), 1.6 mm R =2+6/2; 1 juvenile, pocl. 1.1 mm R =1+6/2; Piscaderabaai, 29.x.1963, sandy mud, Rhizophora sp., Ulva sp., collected by P. Wagenaar Hummelinck (fcn. 1495). RMNH. CRUS.D.28350: 1 ovigerous female, pocl. 1.7 mm R +2+6/; 4 non-ovigerous females, pocl. 1.4–1.6 mm R =2+5–6/2; 3 males, pocl. 1.2–1.3 mm R =2+6/2 other rostra broken; 15 juveniles, pocl. 0.8–1.0 mm R =0–1+4–6/0–1; Piscaderabaai, 5.i.1964, depth 1–2 m, sand, gravel, collected by P. Wagenaar Hummelinck (fcn. 1457). RMNH. CRUS.D.28353: 3 ovigerous females, pocl. 2.4 mm R =2+6/2, 2.2 mm R =2=7/2, 2.6 mm R =2+6/2; 3 non-ovigerous females, pocl. 2.2 mm R =2+6/2, 1.8 mm R =2+6/2, 1.7 mm R =2+6/2; 3 males (pocl. 2.2 mm R =2+6/2, 2.0 mm (2x) R =1+6/2; 1 damaged specimen, abdomen missing, pocl. 2.5 mm R =2+5/2; Piscaderabaai, 14.ii.1957, depth 0–1 m, seagrass and Rhizophora, collected at night by L.B. Holthuis (fcn. 1104). RMNH. CRUS.D.28355: 6 ovigerous females, pocl. 3.3–3.8 mm R =2+6–8/2–3; 10 males, pocl. 2.1–4.3 mm R =2+7/2; Piscaderabaai, 25.iii.1957, depth 0–1 m, mangrove, collected by L.B. Holthuis (fcn. 1196). RMNH. CRUS.D.28357: 10 ovigerous females, pocl. 1.9–3.2 mm R =2+6/2– 3; 3 non-ovigerous females, pocl. 1.5–2.0 mm rostra damaged; 7 males, pocl. 2.6–4.2 mm R =2+6–7/2; Piscaderabaai, 12.xi.1956, depth 0–1 m, collected by L.B. Holthuis (fcn. 1002). RMNH. CRUS.D.30614: 2 ovigerous females, pocl. 3.1 mm R =2+5/2, 3.5 mm R =2+6/2; Piscaderabaai, 20.xii.1972, depth 0 m, mangrove, between Crassostrea sp. and tunicates, collected by J.C. den Hartog. RMNH. CRUS.D.37654: 5 juveniles, pocl. 1.6 mm (3x) R =1+5/ 1(2x), 2+5/2, pocl. 1.0 mm R =5/0; Piscaderabaai, Boca, East side, 29.xi.1963, depth 3.5 m, collected by P. Wagenaar Hummelinck (fcn. 1453a). RMNH. CRUS.D.37656: 1 specimen, pocl. 1.6 mm R =2+6/2; Piscaderabaai W side of mouth, 14.xii.1963, between Rhizophora sp., collected by P. Wagenaar Hummelinck (fcn. 1460). RMNH. CRUS. D.51554: 1 ovigerous female, pocl. 3.3 mm R =2+6/2; 1 male, pocl. 2.0 mm R +2+6/3; Piscaderabaai, NW bay, 26.vii.1973, Rhizophora sp., collected by P. Wagenaar Hummelinck. RMNH. CRUS.D.58072: 1 juvenile, pocl. 1.0 mm; stn COA.14, Playa Boka Sami, 12°08′51.40″N 68°59′55.50″W, 05.xi.2013, depth 25 m, scuba diving, in N. digitalis, collected by C.H.J.M. Fransen. RMNH. CRUS.D.57051: 1 specimen; stn COA.21, Marie Pampoen, 12°05′26.74″N 68°54′17.84″W, 05.ix.2013, depth 10 m, scuba diving, in rose sponge, Desmapsamma anchorata (Carter, 1882) (photo COA.21 033, 035), collected by C.H.J.M. Fransen. Stn CAO.23, Playa Hundu, 12°16′05.80″N 69°07′42.20″W, 07.xi.2013, not collected, (photographs by C.H.J.M. Fransen CAO.23 176–180). RMNH. CRUS. D.58073: 1 specimen; stn CAR.22, Playa Largu, 12°14.118′N 69°05.907′W, 21.iv.2014, depth unknown, scuba diving, in A. lacunosa, collected by C. Rauch. RMNH. CRUS.D.58074: 1 male, pocl. 1.3 mm, R =2+6/2; stn CAR.14, Vaersenbaai, 12°09.678′N 68°52.796′W, 11.iv.2014, depth 24 m, scuba diving, in D. anchorata (id. R.W.M. van Soest), collected by C. Rauch. RMNH. CRUS.D.58075: 1 male, pocl. 1.5 mm; stn CAR.16, Slangenbaai, 12°08.359′N 68°59.840′W, 15.iv.2014, depth 8 m, scuba diving, in Callyspongia (Cladochalina) plicifera (Lamarck, 1814) (id. R.W.M. van Soest), collected by C. Rauch. RMNH. CRUS.D.58076: 1 ovigerous female, pocl. 1.8 mm, R =2+5/2; stn CAR.16, Slangenbaai, 12°08.359′N 68°59.840′W, 15.iv.2014, depth unknown, scuba diving, in A. lacunosa, collected by C. Rauch. RMNH. CRUS.D.58077: 1 non-ovigerous female, pocl. 2.0 mm, R =2+6/2; stn CAR.22, Playa largu, 12°14.118′N 69°05.907′W, 21.iv.2014, depth 13 m, scuba diving, in A. lacunosa (id. R.W.M. van Soest), collected by C. Rauch. RMNH. CRUS.D.58078: 1 ovigerous female, pocl. 1.7 mm, R =2+5/2; stn CAR.24, Diversleap, 12°04.439′N 68°52.714′W, 22.iv.2014, depth 18 m, scuba diving, in A. lacunosa (id. R.W.M. van Soest), collected by C. Rauch. RMNH. CRUS.D.58079: 1 male, pocl. 1.9 mm; stn CAR.26, Grote Knip, 12°21.087′N 69°09.095′W, 23.vi.2014, depth 10 m, scuba diving, in C. (C.) plicifera (id. R.W.M. van Soest), collected by C. Rauch. Stn CF13B, Tugboat, 11.vi.2017, depth 15 m, C.H.J.M. Fransen (video 3), not collected. RMNH. CRUS. D.57313: 1 ovigerous female, pocl. 1.9 mm; Playa Kalki, 14.vi.2017, depth 20 m, scuba diving, on Erythropodium caribaeorum (Duchassaing & Michelotti, 1860), collected by C.H.J.M. Fransen (fcn. CF 14B-1) (video 3). RMNH. CRUS.D.57314: 1 ovigerous female, pocl. 1.8 mm; Blue Bay, 16.vi.2017, depth 28 m, scuba diving, on E. caribaeorum, collected by C.H.J.M. Fransen (fcn. CF 16A-1) (video 3). Stn CF16C, Hilton reef, 16.vi.2017, depth 20 m, scuba diving, C.H.J.M. Fransen (video 3), not collected. RMNH. CRUS.D.57315: 1 male, pocl. 1.1 mm; Habitat, 17.vi.2017, depth 20 m, scuba diving, on E. caribaeorum, collected by C.H.J.M. Fransen (fcn. CF 17A-2) (video 3). RMNH. CRUS.D.57316: 1 non-ovigerous female, pocl. 2.1 mm; Playa Jeremy, 20.vi.2017, depth 20 m, scuba diving, on E. caribaeorum, collected by C.H.J.M. Fransen (fcn. CF 20B-2). Bonaire: RMNH. CRUS.D.28344: 1 male, pocl. 2.0 mm, R =2+6/2; Boa di Dam, 500 m SW of Cai, entrance of Lac, 25.viii.1967, depth 1 m, coral reef, Acropora sp., collected by P. Wagenaar Hummelinck (fcn. 1562). RMNH. CRUS.D.28356: 2 ovigerous females, pocl. 2.2, 2.5 mm, R =2+6/2); 1 male, pocl. 2.3 mm, rostrum damaged; Lac, 06.iii.1957, depth 0–1 m, sand, algae, collected by L.B. Holthuis (fcn. 1138). ZMA. CRUS.D.240781: 1 ovigerous female, pocl. 2.6 mm, R =2+7/2; laguna, date unknown, depth unknown, collected by P. Wagenaar Hummelinck (fcn. #71, 115/839). Stn BON.03, 1000 Steps, 12°12.654′N 068°19.276′W, 23.x.2019, depth 25 m, scuba diving, on E. caribaeorum, C.H.J.M. Fransen (video 3), not collected. Stn BON.21, Something Special (Pali Grande), 12°09.696′N 068°17.016′W, 31.x.2019, depth 15 m, scuba diving, among corals, C.H.J.M. Fransen (video 3), not collected. RMNH. CRUS.D.58080: 1 ovigerous female; stn BON.43, Tori’s Reef, 12°04.247′N, 068°16.835′W, 08.xi.2019, depth 0.2 m, hand collecting, on piles of pier Dive Friends Watervillas, collected by L.M van der Loos. Aruba: RMNH. CRUS.D.2263: 1 ovigerous female, pocl. 3.3 mm, R =2+6/2; 3.viii.1905, collected by Prof. Boeke. RMNH. CRUS.D.28354: 1 ovigerous female, pocl. 2.5 mm, R =2+6/2; 1 non-ovigerous female, pocl. 2.7 mm, R =2=6/2; 1 male, pocl. 2.6 mm, R =2+6/2; 1 damaged specimen; Savoneta, SW coast, 21.iii.1957, depth 0–1 m, seagrass, collected by L.B. Holthuis. ZMA. CRUS. D.240788: 1 ovigerous female, damaged, P2 missing, pocl. 3.1 mm, R =1+7/2; SE of Aruba, 03.viii.1905, 1 fms, small dredge, collected by J. Boeke. Sint Eustatius: RMNH. CRUS.D.2282: 1 ovigerous female, pocl. 2.5 mm, R =2+6/2; F.D. Dick bay, 17.iv.1905, collected by Prof. Boeke. Sint Maarten: RMNH. CRUS.D.28352: 2 males, pocl. 2.8, 2.9 mm, R =2+6–7/2; Great Bay, Philipsburg, 23.ii.1957, depth 0–1 m, seagrass, collected by L.B. Holthuis (fcn. 1129). RMNH. CRUS.D.51551: 1 ovigerous female, pocl. 3.1 mm, R =2+6/2; 1 juvenile, pocl. 1.1 mm, R =2+6/2; Oysterpond, 30.v.1982, depth 0.2–0.3 m, collected by P.A. van den Heuvel. RMNH. CRUS.D.51553: 1 male, pocl. 1.9 mm, R =2+5/2; Oysterpond, 13.xii.1987, depth 1 m, collected by P.A. van den Heuvel. RMNH. CRUS.D.51555: 1 ovigerous female, pocl. 2.6 mm, R =2+5/2; 1 male, pocl. 1.9 mm, rostrum broken; Oysterpond, 30.vii.1983, depth 0.3 m, collected by P.A. van den Heuvel. RMNH. CRUS.D.51557: 1 ovigerous female, pocl. 3.3 mm, R =2+5/2; Oysterpond, E side, 23.vi.1982, collected by P.A. van den Heuvel.
Remarks. The specimens fit the description by Holthuis (1951b). Rostrum (Fig. 8A) long and straight, just overreaching antennular peduncle, with 7–10 (usually 8) dorsal teeth of which 2 postorbital, and 2 ventral teeth in distal part. Scaphocerite with strong distolateral tooth overreaching distal margin of lamina (Fig. 8B). Fourth thoracic sternite with distinct median finger-like process (fig 8C). Mandibular palp absent. Second pereiopods strong, equal in size and shape; fingers of large specimens with 3–4 teeth, those of smaller specimens with 1 or 2 teeth in proximal part of cutting edges; carpi shorter than palm, about as long as merus. Ambulatory dactyli simple, not biunguiculate. Fifth abdominal pleura angular. Telson with pairs of dorsal spines at third and two third of length; distal margin V-shaped with median acute triangular process (Fig. 8D).
Ecology. Associated with turtle grass, dead and living coral, sponges, sea anemones, pilings, stumps, and wrecks. Juvenile specimens were often encountered between the polyps of the octocoral E. caribaeorum.
Distribution. Widely distributed in the tropical and subtropical western Atlantic from North Carolina to southeastern Brazil (Moraes et al. 2021; Frolová et al. in press). Recorded in depths between 1 and 73 m. Some of the older records might be referring to Palaemonella rhizophorae (Lebour, 1949).
description: Published as part of Fransen, Charles H. J. M., 2023, The marine palaemonid shrimps (Crustacea, Deapoda, Caridea) of the Dutch Caribbean, pp. 1-127 in Zootaxa 5387 (1) on pages 26-29, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5387.1.1, http://zenodo.org/record/10698994