Synalpheus carpenteri Macdonald & Duffy, 2006

Hultgren, Kristin M., Macdonald Iii, Kenneth S. & Duffy, J. Emmett, 2010, Sponge-dwelling snapping shrimps of Curaçao, with descriptions of three new species *, Zootaxa 2372 (1), pp. 221-262 : 229

Synalpheus carpenteri Macdonald & Duffy, 2006

(Pl. 3C)

Material examined. Curaçao: 25 ov. females, 46 non-ov. individuals ( VIMS 08CU3012–5, 3805–6, 3901–2), Caracas Baai, from the canals of the sponge Agelas cf. clathrodes . 2 ov. females, 6 non-ov. individuals ( VIMS 08CU13001), Eastpunt, from the canals of A. cf. clathrodes . 1 ov. female, 1 non-ov. individual ( VIMS 08CU1601–2), Piscadera Baai, from the canals of A. cf. clathrodes . 4 ov. females, 3 non-ov. individuals ( VIMS 08CU8701), Piscadera Baai east, from the canals of A. cf. clathrodes . 23 ov. females, 22 non-ov. individuals ( VIMS 08CU8201, 7–14), Scary Steps, from the canals of A. cf. clathrodes . Largest ov. female, CL 3.8 mm, largest non-ov. individual, CL 3.2 mm.

Color. Body color transparent to orange-tinged, ovigerous females with orange or reddish-orange ovaries and embryo color ranging from orange to dull pinkish red.

Hosts and ecology. As in all other known locations, S. carpenteri in Curaçao is a host specialist on sponges in the genus Agelas ( Agelas cf. clathrodes in Curaçao), which it often occupied along with Synalpheus agelas and less frequently with Synalpheus sanctithomae and Synalpheus mcclendoni . S. carpenteri occurred as a single pair in smaller sponges or in larger groups of approximately equal sex ratios in larger sponges.

Distribution. Bahamas (as S. bousfieldi in part, Dardeau 1984; see Macdonald & Duffy 2006); Caribbean Panama ( Macdonald & Duffy 2006); Belize ( Macdonald & Duffy 2006; Macdonald et al. 2006; Rios & Duffy 2007); Jamaica ( Macdonald et al. 2009); Curaçao (this study).

Remarks: Synalpheus carpenteri was one of the most widespread species in Curaçao (though not the most abundant), occurring in most locations where Agelas cf. clathrodes was usually collected. In life, S. carpenteri in Curaçao can be easily distinguished from other species occupying Agelas cf. clathrodes by the distinctive, brilliant orange coloring of the body and developing ovaries. S. carpenteri can also be distinguished from S. agelas (the most common co-inhabitant in A. cf. clathrodes ) by the number of segments on the carpus of the second pereopod (4 in S. agelas , 5 in S. carpenteri ).