Atyaephyra desmarestii (Millet, 1831)

Christodoulou, Magdalini, Antoniou, Aglaia, Antonios Magoulas, & Athanasios Koukouras,, 2012, Revision of the freshwater genus Atyaephyra (Crustacea, Decapoda, Atyidae) based on morphological and molecular data, ZooKeys 229, pp. 53-110 : 60-65

Atyaephyra desmarestii (Millet, 1831)

Symethus fluviatilis Rafinesque, 1814: 23-24 [suppressed under the plenary powers for the purposes of the Principle of Priority but not for those of the Principle of Homonymy in Opinion 522 in 1958].

Acilius fluviatilis . - Rafinesque 1815: 221.

Hippolyte Desmarestii Millet, 1831: 55-57, Pl. 1, Figs 1 A–B [type locality: Mayenne River, Sarthe River, Loir River, Thouet River, Layon River (France)]. - H. Milne Edwards 1837: 376; Taramelli 1864: 363-369.

Caridina Desmarestii . - Joly 1843: 34-86, Figs 1-78; Heller 1863: 238, Pl. 8, Fig. 3; Pelseneer 1886: 211-216; Bolivar 1892: 131.

Atyaephyra Rosiana de Brito Capello, 1867: 6-7, Pl. 1, Figs 1 A–E. [type locality: Coimbra, Portugal].

Hemicardina desmarestii . - Ortmann 1890: 464-465.

Atyaephyra Desmaresti . - Ortmann 1895: 401; Bouvier 1925: 84-89, Figs 164-174, partim.

Atyaephyra Desmaresti var. occidentalis Bouvier, 1913: 65-74, Figs 2 E–H, 2 J–L, 3 E–J, partim.

Atyaephyra desmarestii desmarestii . - Holthuis 1961: 5-10, Figs 2A, 3A, partim.

Atyaephyra desmarestii . - Anastasiadou et al. 2004: 5-13, partim; Anastasiadou et al. 2006: 1195-1207, Figs 1-5; Garcia Muñoz et al. 2009: 32-42; Von Rintelen et al. 2012: 82-96, partim.

Atyaephyra rosiana . - Anastasiadou et al. 2008: 191-205, Figs 1-5.

Material examined.

Type material. Neotype: 1 ovig. ♀ (CL 7.1 mm), MNHN-IU-2009-2270 (ex MNHN-Na480), Maine-et-Loire, France [here designated].

Non-type material.

Tunisia: 8 ♀♀ (1 ovig.) (CL 5.4-7.4 mm), Barrage Lebna (Fig. 1, stn 1), 21.3.2010, coll. S. Dhaouadi-Hassen; 2 ♀♀ (CL 6.0-6.8 mm), NHM 1515-1540.22.2.74, Ain Draham, Barrage Ben Metir (Fig. 1, stn 2), 22.2.1974. Algeria: 1 ♂ (CL 5.1 mm), NHM 1955.5.3.15-18, Algiers, Seybouse River (Fig. 1, stn 3), 3.5.1955; 11 ♀♀ (6 ovig.) (CL 5.0-8.0 mm) and 1 ♂ (CL 5.2 mm), NHM 1949.5.2.1-12, Beni Abbes, Saoura River (Fig. 1, stn 4), 2.5.1949, coll. H. Munro Fox. Morocco: 4 ♀♀ (1 ovig.) (CL 5.5-6.5 mm) and 1 ♂ (CL 5.0 mm), Moulouya River (Fig. 1, stn 5), 11.4.2011, coll. M. Melhaoui; 1 ♀ (CL 6.9 mm) and 4 ♂♂ (CL 5.2-5.6 mm), NHM 1953.12.2.12-15, Krumane River (Fig. 1, stn 6), 22.7.1952, coll. J. Phillipson. Portugal: 21 ♀♀ (12 ovig.) (CL 5.8-7.3 mm) and 11 ♂♂ (CL 5.0-5.7 mm), Algarve, São Barnabé River (Odelouca River) (Fig. 1, stn 7), 23.7.1988, coll. C. d' Udekem d' Acoz; 7 ♀♀ (6 ovig.) (CL 6.2-7.7 mm) and 5 ♂♂ (CL 5.0-5.2 mm), NHM 1971.105, Portimao, Odelouca River (Fig. 1, stn 8), 1970; 18 ♀♀ (4 ovig.) (CL 5.5-8.0 mm) and 3 ♂♂ (CL 5.0-5.1 mm), NHM 1986.261, Bordeira River (Fig. 1, stn 9), 5.3.1985, coll. J. Paula; 5 ♀♀ (4 ovig.) (CL 7.0-8.1 mm) NHM 1880.36, Sintra, Colares River (Fig. 1, stn 10), 1880; 15 ♀♀ (3 ovig.) (CL 5.8 -7.9 mm) and 5 ♂♂ (CL 5.3-6.1 mm), Coimbra, Ceira River (Fig. 1, stn 11), 24.5.2010, coll. V. Ferreira. Spain: 2 ♀ (CL 6.5-8.0 mm), Veta la Arena, Guadiamar River (Fig. 1, stn 12), 8.5.2006, coll. C. Lejeusne; 5 ♀♀ (CL 6.1-6.7 mm) and 17 ♂♂ (CL 5.0-6.5 mm), Cadiz, Guadalete River (Fig. 1, stn 13), 2000, coll. A. Rodriguez; 3 ♀♀ (CL 5.1-6.3 mm), Segura River (Fig. 1, stn 14), 28.9.2001, coll. J.L. Moreno Alcaraz; 10 ♀♀ (1 ovig.) (CL 6.1-7.5 mm) and 1 ♂ (CL 5.5 mm), Mundo River (Fig. 1, stn 15), 18/27.9.2001, coll. J.L. Moreno Alcaraz; 2 ♀♀ (CL 6.6-7.7 mm) and 1 ♂ (CL 5.5 mm), Villalva de la Sierra, Jucar River, 40°07.99'N, 02°08.38'W (Fig. 1, stn 16), 16.8.2001, coll. J.L. Moreno Alcaraz; 7 ♀♀ (CL 5.1-6.4 mm) and 1 ♂ (CL 5.3 mm), Ossa de Montiel, Vado Blanco River, 38°54.60'N, 02°48.03'W (Fig. 1, stn 17), 3.10.2001, coll. J.L. Moreno Alcaraz; 3 ♀♀ (CL 5.7-6.5 mm), El Torno, Bullaque River, 39°14.36'N, 04°15.57'W (Fig. 1, stn 18), 11.10.2001, coll. J.L. Moreno Alcaraz; 2 ♀♀ (CL 7.2-7.7 mm), Canavera, Guadiella River, 40°25.36'N, 02°28.95'W (Fig. 1, stn 19), 14.8.2001, coll. J.L. Moreno Alcaraz; 3 ♀♀ (CL 6.2-8.0 mm), Abanades, Tajuna River (Fig. 1, stn 20), 7.8.2001, coll. J.L. Moreno Alcaraz; 3 ♀♀ (1 ovig.) (CL 6.3-7.2 mm) and 6 ♂♂ (CL 5.5-6.5 mm), Henares River, (Fig. 1, stn 21), 1.8.2001, coll. J.L. Moreno Alcaraz; 1 ovig. ♀ (CL 7.4 mm), Naharros, Canamares River, 41°09.10'N, 02°55.14'W (Fig. 1, stn 22), 30.7.2001, coll. J.L. Moreno Alcaraz; 2 ovig. ♀♀ (CL 7.3-7.8 mm), Puebla de Valles, Jarama River (Fig. 1, stn 23), 31.7.2001, coll. J.L. Moreno Alcaraz; 1 ♀ (CL 5.9 mm) and 1 ♂ (CL 5.1 mm) La Guardia, Cedron River, 39°48.26'N, 03°20.33'W (Fig. 1, stn 24), 6.9.2001, coll. J.L. Moreno Alcaraz; 1 ♀ (CL 5.2 mm), Escalona, Alberche River, 40°09.45'N, 04°25.04'W (Fig. 1, stn 25), 27.8.2001, coll. J.L. Moreno Alcaraz; 1 ♀ (CL 5.1 mm) and 2 ♂♂ (CL 5.3-5.7 mm), Tietar River (Fig. 1, stn 26), 28.8.2001, coll. J.L. Moreno Alcaraz; 9 ♀♀ (1 ovig.) (CL 5.1 mm) and 1 ♂ (CL 5.0 mm), Tagus River (Fig. 1, stn 27), 14.8.2001 and 5.9.2001, coll. J.L. Moreno Alcaraz; 1 ♂ (CL 5.5 mm), Calanda, Guadalope River (Fig. 1, stn 28), 25.5.2004, coll. J. Oscoz; 1 ♀ (CL 7.2 mm) and 1 ♂ (CL 5.1 mm), Escatron, Martin River (Fig. 1, stn 29), 24.5.2001, coll. J. Oscoz; 1 ♀ (CL 5.6 mm) and 3 ♂♂ (CL 5.3-5.6 mm), Murillo de Gallego, Gallego River (Fig. 1, stn 30), 7.8.2007, coll. J. Oscoz; 1 ovig. ♀ (CL 6.5 mm), Gurrea de Gallego, Soton River (Fig. 1, stn 31), 14.6.2006, coll. J. Oscoz; 1 ♂ (CL 6.2 mm), Lumbier, Irati River (Fig. 1, stn 32), 8.7.2005, coll. J. Oscoz; 2 ovig. ♀♀ (CL 6.9-7.5 mm) and 4 ♂♂ (CL 5.2-5.8 mm), Aspurz, Salazar River (Fig. 1, stn 33), 3.7.2007, coll. J. Oscoz; 1 ovig. ♀ (CL 6.5 mm) and 1 ♂ (CL 5.2 mm), Ripodas, Areta River (Fig. 1, stn 34), 3.7.2007, coll. J. Oscoz; 5 ♀♀ (4 ovig.) (CL 5.0-7.5 mm) and 2 ♂♂ (CL 5.6 mm), Castejon, Alfaro, Tudela, Ebro River (Fig. 1, stn 35), 11/12.7.2007, coll. J. Oscoz; 6 ♀♀ (5 ovig.) (CL 7.0-8.6 mm), San Adrian, Ega River (Fig. 1, stn 36), 27.6.2007, coll. J. Oscoz; 1 ovig. ♀ (CL 7.3 mm) and 2 ♂♂ (CL 5.2-5.5 mm), Marcilla, Aragon River (Fig. 1, stn 37), 28.6.2007, coll. J. Oscoz; 2 (1 ovig.) ♀♀ (CL 8.2-8.5 mm) and 2 ♂♂ (CL 5.6-6.5 mm), Urroz, Erro River (Fig. 1, stn 38), 25.5.2007, coll. J. Oscoz; 1 ovig. ♀ (CL 7.5 mm) and 2 ♂♂ (CL 5.8-6.0 mm), Mendigorria, Salado River (Fig. 1, stn 39), 14.6.2007, coll. J. Oscoz; 1 ovig. ♀ (CL 7.6 mm), Puentelarreina, Arga River (Fig. 1, stn 40), 20.6.2007, coll. J. Oscoz; 1 ♀ (CL 7.2 mm), Iraneta, Arakil River (Fig. 1, stn 41), 20.6.2007, coll. J. Oscoz; 1 ♀ (CL 7.4 mm), Palazuelos, Jerea River (Fig. 1, stn 42), 1.6.2004, coll. J. Oscoz; 3 ovig. ♀♀ (CL 7.3-8.0 mm) and 2 ♂♂ (CL 5.3-5.5 mm), NHM 1955.10.5.2-6 and NHM 1957.8.12.69-75, Barcelona, Llobregat River (Fig. 1, stn 43), 5.10.1955 and 12.8.1955; 8 ♂♂ (CL 5.2-6.1 mm), Bascara, Fluvia River (Fig. 1, stn 44), 4.2.2005, coll. M.L. Zettler; 3 ♀♀ (CL 5.6-6.6 mm), NHM 1955.10.5.8-10, Gerona, Lake of Banyoles (Fig. 1, stn 45), 5.10.1955. France: 30 ♀♀ (18 ovig.) (CL 5.0-7.0 mm) and 20 ♂♂ (CL 5.0-5.2 mm), Merville, Garrone River (Fig. 1, stn 46), 25.8.2004, coll. R. Liasko and S. Combes; 2 ♀♀ (CL 5.5-6.5 mm), NHM 1955.5.3.11-14, Maine et Loire, Loire River (Fig. 1, stn 47), 3.5.1955; 2 ♀♀ (CL 6.6-7.0 mm), Angers, Sarthe River (Fig. 1, stn 48), 20.9.2000, coll. P. Noél; 2 ♀♀ (CL 5.1-5.6 mm), Mayenne River (Fig. 1, stn 49), 20.9.2000, coll. P. Noél; 3 ♀♀ (CL 6.3-6.5 mm), NMW 467, Rennes, Vilaine River (Fig. 1, stn 50), coll. G. Laponge. Belgium: 31 ♀♀ (8 ovig.) (CL 5.2-8.3 mm) and 7 ♂♂ (CL 5.0-6.0 mm), Ombret, Meuse River, (Fig. 1, stn 51), 3.8.1979, coll. C. d' Udekem d' Acoz. Germany: 1 ♂ (CL 5.2 mm) Berlin, Tegel Lake, 52°34.98'N, 13°16.44'E (Fig. 1, stn 52), 13.9.1995, coll. K. Rudolph and M.L. Zettler; 4 ♀♀ (CL 5.7-7.0 mm) and 1 ♂ (CL 5.0 mm), Havel River (Fig. 1, stn 53), 52°23.82'N, 12°17.04'E, 26.8.2005 ( Saxony–Anhalt) and 52°29.82'N, 12°24.30'E, 27.8.2005 (Brandenburg), coll. M.L. Zettler. Austria: 1 ♀ (CL 7.4 mm), NMW 18315, Danube River (Fig. 1, stn 54), 8.10.1998, coll. Zipel and Melcher. Italy: 2 ♂♂ (CL 5.0-5.7 mm), Centa River (Fig. 1, stn 55), 28.5.1989, coll. C. Froglia; 4 ♀♀ (CL 5.3-5.8 mm) and 1 ♂ (CL 5.6 mm), Nestore River (Fig. 1, stn 56), 11.11.1974, coll. C. Froglia; 2 ♂♂ (CL 5.2-5.6 mm), Ponte Nuovo, Chiascio River, (Fig. 1, stn 57), 9.9.1975, coll. Cianficoni; 2 ovig. ♀♀ (CL 7.0-7.5 mm) and 1 ♂ (CL 5.2 mm), Nera River (Fig. 1, stn 58), 5.6.1971, coll. Moretti; 5 ♀♀ (CL 6.2-6.8 mm) and 7 ♂♂ (CL 5.0-6.3 mm), Tiber River (Fig. 1, stn 59), 10.10.1975 (Nestore), 14.10.1975 (Orte), 13.11.1975 (Umbertide), coll. Cianficoni. Sicily: 1 ovig. ♀ (CL 7.5 mm) and 4 ♂♂ (CL 5.4-5.9 mm), San Bartolomeo, Rosmarino River (Fig. 1, stn 60), 13.5.1986, coll. C. Froglia; 2 ♀♀ (CL 5.8-6.4 mm) and 1 ♂ (CL 5.5 mm), Simeto River (Fig. 1, stn 61), 1.9.1978, coll. C. Froglia. Sardinia: 7 ♀♀ (4 ovig.) (CL 5.5-7.2 mm) and 2 ♂ (CL 5.0 mm), unknown locality (Fig. 1, stn 62), 13.9.1977, coll. Cav; 2 ♀ (CL 6.7-7.6 mm) and 1 ♂ (CL 5.6 mm), unknown locality, coll. R.B. Manning. Corsica: 3 ♀♀ (1 ovig.) (CL 6.3-6.9 mm) and 1 ♂♂ (CL 5.0 mm), Favello, Taravo River (Fig. 1, stn 63), 10.8.2003, coll. M.L. Zettler; 5 ♂♂ (CL 5.0-5.8 mm), Propriano, Rizzanese River (Fig. 1, stn 64), 13.8.2003, coll. M.L. Zettler; 2 ♀♀ (CL 7.2-7.9 mm) and 4 ♂♂ (CL 5.3-6.0 mm), Bravone, Bravone River, 42°12.36'N, 09°32.10'E (Fig. 1, stn 65), 16.8.2003, coll. M.L. Zettler.

Amendments to description.

Rostrum long, dorsal margin straight or slightly curved in the middle and pointed upwards, 3.79-8.70, mostly (82% of the individuals examined) 4.64-6.50, × as long as high, shorter, equal to, or longer than scaphocerite. From 17 to 36 (21-28 in 86% of the individuals examined) pre orbital teeth on dorsal margin of rostrum arranged to tip. One to five, most frequently (90% of the individuals examined) 2-4, post orbital teeth and 1-13, most often (88% of the individuals examined) 4-9, teeth on ventral margin of rostrum. Carapace smooth with pterygos tomial angle not protruding, rounded ( Anastasiadou et al. 2006; Fig. 1). Pleuron of fifth abdominal segment pointed with an acute posterior angle. Telsonwith 2-4, most frequently (95% of the individuals examined) 3-4, pairs of dorsal spines arranged in curved fashion. Distal border of telson with 7-15, mostly (89%) 9-13, spines (4-7 pairs) arranged in a fan-like way. Outermost pair of spines shortest, similar to dorsal spines, adjacent pair stronger, terminating before the inner, finely setulose pairs ( Anastasiadou et al. 2006; Figs 2 A–B). Antennulary stylocerite with its tip failing to reach, reaching or overreaching distal margin of basal peduncle segment. Anterolateral lobe of basal segment short, round or pointed. Distal segment of antennular peduncle with 0-2, predominantly (93%) 1-2, spines ( Anastasiadou et al. 2006; Fig. 2D). Basal lower endite of maxilla densely covered with long simple setae arranged in 15-22, mostly (84%) 17-20, oblique parallel rows. Endite of maxilla 1.39-1.88, most often (90%) 1.49-1.71, × as long as basal lower endite ( Anastasiadou et al. 2006; Fig. 3C). Basal endite of first maxilliped reaching clearly beyond distal end of exopod ( Anastasiadou et al. 2006; Fig. 3D). Distal one-third of terminal segment of third maxilliped bearing 0-8, (1-6 in 91% of the individuals examined), mesial spines and one subdistal lateral spine near the base of larger terminal spine, interpretable as dactylus ( Anastasiadou et al. 2006; Fig. 3G). Armature along flexor margin of dactylus of third and fourth pereiopod consisting of 5-10 (6-8 in 95% of the individuals) and 5-10 (6-8 in 94% of the individuals) spines respectively. Merus of third and fourth pereiopod with 1-7 (3-5 in 95% of the individuals) and 2-6 (3-5 in 99% of the individuals) spines respectively ( Anastasiadou et al. 2006; Figs 4 C–D). Armature along flexor margin of dactylus of fifth pereiopod consisting of 18-43, mostly (87%) 25-35, spines ( Anastasiadou et al. 2006; Figs 4 E–F). Endopod of first male pleopod expanded proximally and with a distal portion elongated and tapering, often with a small protruding lobe in its outer subdistal part. Endopod with 14-30 (16-25 in 86% of the individuals examined), spines arranged on a slightly curved inner margin and 9-17 (10-15 in 92% of the individuals examined), setae arranged on outer margin ( Anastasiadou et al. 2006; Fig. 5C, Anastasiadou et al. 2008; Fig. 5C). 133-848 eggs of 0.4-0.7 × 0.25-0.4 mm size.

Size.

Atyaephyra desmarestii is a large sized species with maximum carapace length to be 6.8 mm in ♂♂, 8.5 mm in ♀♀ and 8.6 mm in ovig. ♀♀.

Molecular characters.

Atyaephyra desmarestii can be differentiated from all other species of Atyaephyra by molecular characters, as demonstrated by the phylogenetic analysis of mtDNA COI sequences. Furthermore, 22 haplotypes from 30 different localities found in Atyaephyra desmarestii were not shared by any other species of the genus. Finally, it differs from all the other species in the following nucleotide positions in the COI gene of Atyaephyra desmarestii specimen Dour1 (Genbank accession number JX289920), position 213: cytosine (C), position 234: cytosine (C) and position 444: adenine (A).

Distribution.

Atyaephyra desmarestii is found in freshwater habitats of North Africa and West-central Europe (see material examined and Fig. 1).

Remarks.

Atyaephyra desmarestii has been exhaustively described and illustrated by Anastasiadou et al. (2006). Anastasiadou et al. (2008) also re-established and redescribed in detail Atyaephyra rosiana , a species currently considered as a synonym of Atyaephyra desmarestii . In the present paper the same material used for the redescriptions of Atyaephyra desmarestii and of Atyaephyra rosiana ( Anastasiadou et al. 2006, 2008) was examined. Although Anastasiadou et al. (2006) stated that the “holotype” of Atyaephyra desmarestii could not be traced in French institutions, Bouvier (1913) clearly stated that he examined material from "Maine-et-Loire (H. Milne Edwards, probablement des cotypes de Millet)". As Millet and H. Milne Edward were contemporary, and it seemed possible that H. Edwards may have asked for some specimens from the MNHN, this material was recently looked for in the MNHN collection, where the material listed in Bouvier (1913) is indeed still present (registration number Na480). However, there appears to be a discrepancy (and thus possible clarification) on the actual specimen label to this information. The specimen label (see Appendix: Fig. 3) provides the following information: (1) "Maine et Loire", (2) " Caridina Desmarestii Millet", (3) "A. Milne Edwards det.", (4) "E.L. Bouvier ver. 1899" and (5) "A. Milne Edwards, 1900". It is difficult to definitively interpret the label information in view of what Bouvier (1913), a contemporary of A. Milne-Edwards, wrote, as he may have had access to direct, personal information. However, the sample is herein interpreted as having belonged to the A. Milne-Edwards collection, who died in 1900 (1835-1900) and was then accessioned in the museum collection (label item 5), with the material being examined and verified, i.e “ver.” in 1899, by Bouvier (label item 4), but that the material originally was identified by A. Milne Edwards (label item 3), and that the material may not have been seen by H. Milne Edwards (although it may have passed from father to son without being recorded as such on the museum labels). It seems, therefore, impossible to certify that these are indeed syntypic specimens of Hippolyte Desmarestii Millet, 1831, as indicated by Bouvier (1913). However, in deference to Bouvier’s potential knowledge on the matter and in line with Recommendation 75A (ICZN, 1999), a neotype for Atyaephyra desmarestii is herein selected from this lot, the largest ovigerous female. The designation of a neotype is deemed justified under Art. 75 (ICZN, 1999), as (1) the taxon is involved in a complex nomenclatorial problem which cannot be solved without fixing the identity of the oldest name; (2) the taxon is differentiated from the other taxa in this complex by having 0-8 mesial spines on terminal segment of third maxilliped, the basal endite of first maxilliped clearly reaching beyond distal end of exopod, having 1-5 post orbital rostral teeth, having a not protruding, rounded pterygostomial angle and by the slightly curved endopod of first male pleopod with its distal part elongated and tapering; (3) the selected specimen is the largest (of only two) ovigerous females in lot MNHN-Na480; (4) the reasons the name-bearing types are considered lost (or the contrary cannot be conclusively proven) are given above (see also Anastasiadou et al. 2006); (5) the neotype is from the general locality (Maine et Loire) of the type locality of Atyaephyra desmarestii from which no other species is known and thus it corresponds morphologically and genetically with data presented herein and in Anastasiadou et al. (2006); (6) the neotype is selected from the "Maine et Loire" sample in Bouvier (1913), corresponding to the area mentioned in Millet (1831); and (7) the neotype has been selected from a sample already belonging to MNHN (Na480). Therefore, all conditions of Art. 75 are considered to be met and the selection of neotype is justified.

In light of the current revision of the species complex across Europe, North Africa and the Middle East, a nomenclatorial problem exists with the nomen, Atyaephyra desmarestii var. occidentalis Bouvier (1913), for which Bouvier (1913) did not designate a holotype. As such, the syntypic material of this variety (considered to be equivalent to a subspecies under Art. 45.6.4) includes all the material listed by Bouvier (1913) to have originated from North Africa and southern Europe, up to Macedonia. As such, this includes material from the Vardar region as summarily listed in Bouvier (1913), the area from which subsequently Atyaephyra desmarestii stankoi Karaman (1972) was described. As the name of Bouvier’s variety would take precedence over Atyaephyra stankoi as used in the present revision (a precedence which would cause considerable confusion), the herein selected neotype of Atyaephyra desmarestii (see above) is simultaneously selected as the lectotype of Atyaephyra desmarestii var. occidentalis Bouvier, 1913. This being fully justified by the inclusion of the "Maine et Loire" material in Bouvier (1913) 's type series. As a result of this action, the nomen Atyaephyra stankoi Karaman, 1972 can be used for the Macedonian taxon (as used herein), whilst Atyaephyra desmarestii var. occidentalis Bouvier, 1913 becomes a junior synonym of Atyaephyra desmarestii (Millet, 1831).

Bouvier (1913) also mentions he examined material from Coimbra (Portugal), with those particular specimens send by " Barboza " from the Museu Bocage under the name Atyaephyra rosiana . He further indicates that these almost surely are cotypes from Brito Capello ("presque sûrement des cotypes"). These specimens are still present in the collection of MNHN (registration number Na509), with the label information (see Appendix: Fig. 4) corroborating the statement in Bouvier (1913) and as such are herein interpreted as syntypes of Atyaephyra rosiana de Brito Capello, 1867. Under ICZN Art. 75.8, the neotype selected by Anastasiadou et al. (2008) is thus set aside by the rediscovery of these syntypes. As the synonymy of Atyaephyra rosiana with Atyaephyra desmarestii seems certain at present, there appears currently no need to select a lectotype amongst the material. It should however be noted that the type locality of Atyaephyra rosiana de Brito Capello, 1867 reverts back to Coimbra (Portugal) and is no longer São Barnabe River, Algarve, as listed in De Grave & Fransen (2011) (see also García Muñoz et al. 2009).

Atyaephyra desmarestii can be distinguished among other characters from Atyaephyra stankoi , Atyaephyra orientalis and Atyaephyra thyamisensis sp. n. by the presence of 0-8 mesial spines ( Anastasiadou et al. 2006; Fig. 3G) on the terminal segment of third maxilliped (vs. 10-38 in Atyaephyra orientalis , Atyaephyra stankoi and Atyaephyra thyamisensis sp. n.; Figs 4H, 6H, 8H respectively) and by the basal endite of first maxilliped reaching beyond distal end of exopod ( Anastasiadou et al. 2006; Fig. 3D) (vs. basal endite fails to reach or reaches distal end of exopod in Atyaephyra orientalis , Atyaephyra stankoi and Atyaephyra thyamisensis sp. n.; Figs 4F, 6F, 8F respectively). Atyaephyra desmarestii is similar to Atyaephyra strymonensis sp. n. in having 0-8 mesial spines on the terminal segment of third maxilliped (Fig. 10H) but it can be discriminated by the presence of 1-5 post orbital rostral teeth ( Anastasiadou et al. 2006; Fig. 1) (vs. no post orbital teeth present leaving short unarmed proximal gap in Atyaephyra strymonensis sp. n.; Fig. 9A).