@invertebratemorphlab.wixsite.com
Post doc position in Faculdade de Ciências Agrárias e Veterinarias
Universidade Estadual Paulista "Júlio de Mesquita Filho"
Animal Science and Zoology, Ecology, Evolution, Behavior and Systematics, Aquatic Science
Scopus Publications
Scholar Citations
Scholar h-index
Scholar i10-index
Quentin Andreotti, Caio Santos Nogueira, Luis Miguel Pardo, and Fernando José Zara
Elsevier BV
Caio S Nogueira, Fernando J Zara, and Rogerio C Costa
Oxford University Press (OUP)
Abstract Studies on the male reproductive system (MRS) and the ultrastructure of spermatozoa may provide key information about the reproductive biology and phylogenetic relationships between crustacean species. We describe the functional anatomy of the MRS and the ultrastructure and morphometry of spermatozoa of two closely related freshwater shrimps, Macrobrachium pantanalenseDos Santos, Hayd & Anger, 2013 (MP) and M. amazonicum (Heller, 1862) (MA) to detect possible interspecific differences. We introduce geometric morphometrics as a new tool to analyze the caridean spermatozoa for closely related species. The main differences in the anatomy of the MRS of the two species are related to the positive reaction to acid polysaccharides in the distal region of the vas deferens of M. pantanalense and the shape and size of their spermatozoa. SEM and TEM analyses confirmed variations in the shape of spermatozoa of both species and this variation was found to be significant by the use of geometric morphometrics. These tools can highlight differences among caridean shrimps, mainly in cases of closely related species. It becomes clear that MA and MP, despite being two closely related taxa that evolved separately relatively recently, are distinctly different taxa with differences found mainly in the spermatozoa.
Ana Cláudia Garcia Barboza, Caio Santos Nogueira, Alessandra Angélica Pádua Bueno, and Giuliano Buzá Jacobucci
Brill
Abstract Freshwater decapods, such as the crabs in the family Trichodactylidae, are key components of benthic food webs, but research on their trophic ecology is limited. This study aimed to investigate variations in the natural diet of the freshwater crab Dilocarcinus pagei in the Araguari River, Brazil. We analyzed demographic groups and seasonal differences in stomach fullness, volume, and frequency of occurrence of various dietary items. Our results revealed that stomach fullness varied among demographic groups, with adult females showing lower levels and juvenile females showing higher levels. Analysis of stomach contents identified 12 types of items, including unidentified animals, detritus, sand, plastic filaments, and molluscs. Juvenile females showed a higher consumption of plant tissue, while only adult males and juveniles showed a consumption of molluscs. Plant tissue and detritus (digested material) were the most frequent items. These findings reveal the feeding habits of D. pagei in the sampling area, highlighting the influence of demographic groups and seasonal variations on their diet, including the consumption of plant tissue, predation on molluscs, and ingestion of microplastics.
Caio Santos Nogueira, Rogerio Caetano Costa, and João Alberto Farinelli Pantaleão
Wiley
AbstractLarval morphology is a valuable tool for understanding the life history of decapod crustaceans. This approach has proven valuable in confirming taxonomic revisions based on molecular or adult morphology analyses. Therefore, the present study aimed to compare larval traits (e.g. development time, morphology, and larval size) between Macrobrachium amazonicum and M. pantanalense, two closely related species that are separated by a low genetic distance. The first five zoeal stages of each phenotype and species were analysed. Differences in larval development time, morphology, and size were observed. M. amazonicum exhibits faster development during the early larval stages compared to M. pantanalense. The main morphological difference between the two species is related to the stage at which pereiopod five develops as a functional appendage, namely zoea IV in M. amazonicum and zoea III in M. pantanalense. In addition, size variation was observed, with M. pantanalense larvae being larger in the early stages. The differences found between the two species corroborate that M. amazonicum and M. pantanalense are distinct lineages. Even though these groups are separated by a low genetic distance, the existing differences are conclusive, and therefore, these organisms can be considered as two distinct taxonomic entities.
Victor Rodrigues Ribeiro, Caio Santos Nogueira, Daniel Sedorko, Felipe Nascimento Sousa, Silane Aparecida Ferreira da Silva Caminha, and Renato Pirani Ghilardi
Elsevier BV
Lizandra F. Miazaki, Nielson F.C. França, Caio S. Nogueira, Fernando L. Mantelatto, and Rogerio C. Costa
Elsevier BV
Sara Campanha Gasparotto, Caio Santos Nogueira, and Rogerio Caetano Costa
Informa UK Limited
Barbara Regina Fernandes da Cruz, Caio Santos Nogueira, Alessandra Angélica Pádua Bueno, and Giuliano Buzá Jacobucci
Informa UK Limited
Caio S. Nogueira, Nícholas F. Camargo, João A.F. Pantaleão, and Rogerio C. Costa
Elsevier BV
Caio S. Nogueira, Mariana Antunes, Fernando J. Zara, and Rogerio C. Costa
Elsevier BV
Caio Santos Nogueira and Ariádine Cristine Almeida
Universidad Nacional de Colombia
During ontogeny, the allocation of energy can differ throughout the life cycle of a species, especially from juvenile to adult. The present study aimed to describe the relative growth, heterochely, and laterality patterns of the freshwater prawn Macrobrachium brasiliense. Carapace length (CL), abdomen length (AL), left cheliped length (LCL), right cheliped length (RCL), and abdomen width (AW) of males and females were measured. Differences in the morphometric relationships between juveniles and adults were evaluated using analysis of covariance (ANCOVA) and linear regressions. Heterochely was tested using the Mann-Whitney test. Only the relationships LCL vs CL for males and AL vs CL for females were significantly different between adults and juveniles (P < 0.05); these were used to calculate morphological sexual maturity, estimated at 10.3mm CL for males and 8.1mm CL for females. Individuals did not present laterality (P > 0.05) or heterochely (P > 0.05). The average length of the largest and smallest cheliped in males was 9.9 ± 4.8 and 9.2 ± 4.26 mm, while for females it was 7.3 ± 2.4 and 6.8 ± 2.3 mm, respectively. The variation in size and developmental rate of structures suggests that the species follow a mate guarding reproductive strategy since males have well-developed chelipeds to be able to court and guard females during copulation.
Alexandre R. da Silva and Caio S. Nogueira
Canadian Science Publishing
Crustaceans usually undergo a series of changes after the puberty molt. These changes are often associated with size increases in the body and in structures such as the abdomen and claws so that they can achieve higher reproductive fitness. These morphological changes allow the animal to fight, court, and signal for its conspecific with better performance. To compare ontogenetic changes, we used the freshwater crab Dilocarcinus pagei Stimpson, 1851 as a model. We analyzed differences in carapace and claw shape, force generation (via the apodeme area), morphological integration of claws, and color changes among demographic groups. Adult crabs had an increase in claw and carapace size followed by a shape change that makes the claws more robust. In addition, the animals changed from a dark brown coloration in juveniles to a dark red coloration in adult males, while adult females presented a dark red-brown coloration. Presumably, phenotypic changes may enhance crabs’ ability to obtain different food sources, as well as fight for sexual partners, and manipulate females during courtship. Color changes can be a strategy by which adult males can signal to females, while the dark brown coloration of juveniles can help in camouflage in the substrate.
Gabriel Vieira Martins Rezende-Gois, Caio Santos Nogueira, Isabela Ribeiro Rocha Moraes, Rafael Carvalho Santos, and Rogerio Caetano Costa
Informa UK Limited
A. C. G. Barboza, C. S. Nogueira, M. Calixto-Cunha, B. P. Londe, and G. B. Jacobucci
Informa UK Limited
ABSTRACT Dilocarcinus pagei is a freshwater crab that has a wide distribution in South America, occurring in the main river basins of Brazil. Our study analysed some aspects of the population biology of D. pagei in a population that occurs in the Araguari River, in south-eastern Brazil. Crabs were sampled between September 2020 and November 2021. The population structure was analysed according to the organisms’ size, sex and life stage. The frequency of demographic groups (adults and juveniles) over months was assessed using an environmental gradient analysis and a canonical correspondence analysis (CCA). A total of 392 crabs were collected, 282 males and 110 females. Male crabs were more abundant during most of the sampling period. Thus, the sex ratio in general and for most months was biased towards males. Gradient and CCA analyses showed seasonality in the occurrence of ovigerous females. This demographic group was more frequently sampled when the local rainfall increased. Our study provides relevant information about the population and reproductive biology of D. pagei, which may contribute to the understanding of the reproductive traits of freshwater crabs and also the ecological role of this species in the environments it inhabits.
Milena Silva Jaconis, Caio Santos Nogueira, Gabriel Vieira Martins Rezende-Gois, Julia Fernandes Perroca, and Rogerio Caetano Costa
Informa UK Limited
Caio Santos Nogueira, Gabriel Vieira Martins Rezende Gois, Régis Augusto Pescinelli, and Rogerio Caetano Costa
Informa UK Limited
ABSTRACT
Caridean prawns show five different types of mating systems and may show specific morphological characters depending on the reproductive strategy, resulting in sexual dimorphism between males and females. The present study aimed to analyse the sexual dimorphism in the freshwater prawns Macrobrachium pantanalense and Macrobrachium iheringi, two species that presumably have different mating systems. Our predictions are that the pattern of sexual dimorphism shows differences between the species, which may be related to its mating system and sexual behavior. Sexual dimorphism was analysed by geometric morphometrics using the carapace (CA), second pleonal pleuron (SPP) and cheliped propodus (CP). The geometric morphometrics analysis showed differences between the sexes in the shape of CA and SPP of M. pantanalense. In M. iheringi, differences between sexes were observed only in the shape of SPP. The sexual dimorphism in the size of CA and CP diverged between the species, while in M. pantanalense the females showed the largest sizes, in M. iheringi the males showed the largest sizes. The patterns observed between size and shape of structures in each species reinforce the presence of relationships between mating system and sexual dimorphism in caridean prawn species. http://zoobank.org/urn:lsid:zoobank.org:pub:03DE0D3E-598A-4692-9771-79EA449D92EA
Caio S. Nogueira, Ana Carolina F. Porto, Samara P. Barros-Alves, Giuliano B. Jacobucci, and Ariádine C. Almeida
Universidad Nacional Autonoma de Mexico
Growth and longevity parameters of males and females of Macrobrachium brasiliense were analyzed. Samplingwas carried out monthly from July 2012 to June 2013 in Triângulo Mineiro region, Minas Gerais, Brazil. A total of199 adult prawns (97 males and 102 females) were analyzed and measured according to the carapace length (CL, mm). Males (9.64 ± 4.17 mm, CL) were larger than females (7.7 ± 3.39 mm, CL). CL growth curves by the von Bertalanffy model are described by the equations CL = 21.0 [1 - e -0.00446 (t)] for males and CL = 20.0 [1 - e -0.00454 (t)] for females. Comparison of the growth curves by performing the F-type test, showed that there was no differencebetween the growth coefficients (K) of males and females (GL22; F3.16 = 2.476; p = 0.088). Longevity was estimated as 2.83 years for males and 2.78 years for females. In general, the observed longevity is similar to that of other Macrobrachium species.
Caio S Nogueira, Alexandre R da Silva, and Alexandre V Palaoro
Biological Journal of the Linnean Society Oxford University Press (OUP)
Abstract Animal weapons are generally complex systems composed of more than one structure. A crab’s claw, for instance, is composed of a dactyl (a movable finger) and a propodus (where the muscle resides). Any weapon feature that increases winning probability also increases an individual’s fitness, meaning that all moving parts of a weapon will be under the same selective force—increasing their integration. By comparing weapons to homologous structures not used for fighting, we can test whether fighting increases morphological integration. Here, we tested that hypothesis by comparing the right (non-fighting) and left (fighting) claws of males of Aegla. First, we tested if the shape and size of the propodus and dactyl differed between claws. Then, we compared the degree of morphological integration. We showed that claws differed in their shape and size, but both claws showed similarly high levels of integration. This pattern can occur if selection favours an adequate squeeze on both claws, even though squeezing performance might differ between the claws. Nevertheless, the dactyl is important in determining the integration of a claw but it has been greatly ignored in crustacean studies and its study might increase our knowledge of claw evolution.
Júlia Fernandes Perroca, Caio Santos Nogueira, Abner Carvalho-Batista, and Rogerio Caetano Costa
Springer Science and Business Media LLC
R. C. Santos, C. S. Nogueira, Milena Silva Jaconis, T. M. Davanso, R. C. Costa and G. L. Hirose
Male morphotypes in a population may lead to the development of social dominance hierarchies in crustacean species. Currently, Macrobrachium is the decapod crustacean genus with the largest record of species that present the development of hierarchies. Macrobrachium olfersii has morphological characteristics that indicate the presence of male social dominance within its populations. Thus, the present study tested the hypothesis of the occurrence of male morphotypes in M. olfersii through morphometric and morphological analysis of the chelipeds. Sampling was carried out from March 2018 to October 2021 in seven points along the Jequitinhonha River, Northeast Brazil. A total of 264 males were collected with carapace length (CL) ranging from 4.01 to 23.70 mm. Morphological sexual maturity size was estimated at 8.95 mm CL. The morphometric and morphological analysis confirmed the presence of three adult male morphotypes: M1, M2, and M3. The characterization of the different morphotypes was mainly due to the variation in size, shape, and morphology of the largest cheliped of the second pair of pereopods. Most morphometric relationships differed significantly (p < 0.01) among the three morphotypes, mainly between M3 against M1 and M2. The variation in the propodus shape was also evident. This trait and the angulation of the spines differed significantly between morphotypes (p < 0.01), with the propodus of morphotype M3 being more robust and carrying a greater number of spines than the others. The occurrence of social dominance and the exaggerated development of a cheliped (weapon) can be advantageous for dominant individuals when they need to compete for resources. This morphological trait can provide these individuals with advantages during fights and guarantee access to the best resources, whether they are shelter, food, or sexual partners. Our results add new information to the biology of M. olfersii, as well as the genus Macrobrachium, and the occurrence of social dominance in species of this group. In addition, by describing these morphotypes in detail, using a set of complementary morphological and morphometric techniques, it is possible to access the differential morphology along the M. olfersii males, as well as confirm a life history trait found in several Macrobrachium species.
Caio Santos Nogueira, João Alberto Farinelli Pantaleão, and Rogerio Caetano Costa
Brill
Abstract Many animal groups can develop weapons that originate from specialized modifications in different body regions. Decapods are a classic example of organisms that develop these weapons. In this group, we can find specific appendages modified to claws that are used during agonistic conflicts, as is the case between dominant and submissive male morphotypes in freshwater prawns. Our study aimed to analyze the shape, size, and morphological integration of claw components (propodus and dactyl) in male morphotypes of two freshwater prawn congeners (Macrobrachium amazonicum and M. brasiliense). Claws of the prawns were photographed and marked with landmarks and semilandmarks for the acquisition of shape variables. The shape of the propodus and dactyl was statistically different between almost all morphotypes of the two species. The size of structures differed statistically between all morphotypes. The claws of almost all morphotypes showed a high degree of morphological integration; however, statistical differences were observed only between the morphotypes of M. brasiliense. The variation in the shape and degree of morphological integration of the claws between the morphotypes of M. amazonicum was less evident when compared to the morphotypes of M. brasiliense, which may be related to distinct patterns in the development of chelipeds of each species, that is, homochely and heterochely, respectively. Thus, the exaggerated development of a cheliped (heterochely) can cause greater variation in the shape of this structure, also influencing the degree of morphological integration between its components, as evidenced in this study.
Caio Santos Nogueira, João Alberto Farinelli Pantaleão, and Rogerio Caetano Costa
Marine and Freshwater Research CSIRO Publishing
The freshwater prawns Macrobrachium amazonicum and M. pantanalense are phylogenetically closely related. The present study analysed the occurrence of copulation between these two species. Specimens of M. amazonicum were collected from the Tietê River in Cambaratiba (SP), whereas M. pantanalense specimens were collected from the Lagoa Baíazinha, in Miranda (MS). Six different experimental groups were used, MA♂×MP♀, MA♀×MP♂ (interspecifc), MA♂×MA♀, MP♂×MP♀ (intraspecific), MA♀ and MP♀ (individualised; MA=M. amazonicum and MP=M. pantanalense). The incubation times of the ovigerous females were monitored in all experiments. Some females from all experimental groups were randomly selected and had their oocytes photographed to verify the occurrence of embryonic development. No larvae hatched in the interspecific experimental groups, whereas, in intraspecific groups, almost all experiments (95%) presented larval hatching. The incubation period differed significantly (P&lt;0.001) between the intraspecific groups and all the other experimental groups, but not between each other (P&gt;0.05). The interspecific and individualised groups showed no significant (P&gt;0.05) difference between them. In addition, oocytes from the interspecific experimental groups did not present characteristics of embryonic development. Our results suggest that M. pantanalense and M. amazonicum populations do not copulate, which corroborates the proposal of recent speciation.
Caio Santos Nogueira, Abner Carvalho-Batista, Sarah de Souza Alves Teodoro, Rogerio Caetano Costa, and João Alberto Farinelli Pantaleão
Informa UK Limited
ABSTRACT Fights between individuals in a population can be motivated by several factors, such as disputes over food, shelter and sexual partners. The present study aimed to evaluate the pattern of injury occurrence in the Amazon River prawn (Macrobrachium amazonicum). Prawns and environmental factors were sampled monthly, from February 2012 to September 2013, in the Tietê River, São Paulo, Brazil. Individuals were classified into eight different demographic classes and analyzed macroscopically for body injuries, which were separated into four categories (0–4). From the 2,234 prawns collected, 124 presented one or more types of physical damages. The males of dominant castes presented the highest amount of injuries, suggesting that these groups get involved more frequently in disputes. Possibly, reproductive events are a strong stimulus for the occurrence of fights in freshwater prawns since the greatest amount of injuries was observed in the period of reproductive peaks.
Alexandre R. da Silva, Luiz Gustavo Mendes Lemes, Caio Santos Nogueira, Pitágoras C. Bispo, and Antonio Leão Castilho
Informa UK Limited
ABSTRACT Aegla quilombola is an anomuran crab endemic to São Paulo State, Brazil. The present manuscript aims to provide information about sexual dimorphism using geometric morphometrics, as well as information about heterochely, laterality and sexual maturity. The specimens were sampled in Intervales State Park. The carapace and chelipeds of all animals were photographed and landmarks digitalized. In the analyses, the propodus of the first pair of pereopods (chelipeds) were used. The same structures were measured for morphometric sexual maturity, analysing the relationships between carapace length (CL) x propodus height for males, and CL x abdomen length (ABL) for females. For heterochely and laterality, the height of male and female chelipeds were evaluated. Morphological differences were found in the shape of the posterior margin of the carapace and in the chelipeds’ palmar region. Males reached morphometric maturity at smaller sizes and showed heterochely and laterality, usually having a larger left cheliped. These differences are probably related to differential energy use by males and females in fulfiling specific ecological roles. Females had larger abdominal margins to invest in reproduction and males invested energy in chelipeds that were more robust and larger than females, as chelipeds are often used in agonistic interactions and to obtain better resources.