Papers by Efrain Chavez Solís
Typhlatya is a genus of small, stygobitic shrimp in the family Atyidae. Phylogenic relationship o... more Typhlatya is a genus of small, stygobitic shrimp in the family Atyidae. Phylogenic relationship of a new population of Typhlatya discovered from Cenote Xtabay of the Ponderosa system, in Quintana Roo, is examined using H3 sequences. Results suggest that either it is a very closely related sister species to T. dzilamensis , with T. dzilamensis probably inhabiting the northern seacoast of Yucatan, and the new and undescribed species inhabiting the eastern seacoast. Alternatively, they are a single species with high morphologic variability, whose habitat encompasses the whole coastline of Yucatan.
Scientific Reports, 2020
Cave shrimps of the Typhlatya genus are common and widespread in fresh, brackish and marine groun... more Cave shrimps of the Typhlatya genus are common and widespread in fresh, brackish and marine groundwater throughout the Yucatan Peninsula (Mexico). These species are ideal models to test niche partitioning within sympatric species in oligotrophic systems. Nevertheless, their food sources remain unidentified, and despite their frequency and functional importance, distribution and abundance patterns of these species within caves have not been fully recognized. Here, we describe the abundance of three Typhlatya species in different temporal and spatial scales, investigate changes in water conditions, and potential sources of carbon as an indication of food origin. Species composition and abundance varied markedly in space and time revealing patterns that differed from one system to another and in relation to environmental parameters. Isotope analysis showed that each species reflects a particular δ13C and Δ14C fingerprint, suggesting they feed in different proportions from the available...
ZooKeys, 2018
A detailed description of a new stygobiont species of the amphipod family Hadziidae, Angyal, is g... more A detailed description of a new stygobiont species of the amphipod family Hadziidae, Angyal, is given, based on material collected in four cenotes of Yucatán federal state, México. Morphology was studied under light microscopy and with scanning electron microscopy. Morphological description is complemented with mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase subunit I (COI) sequences as barcodes, with affinities to the related taxa and with notes on the species' ecology. Using COI Bayesian inference and genetic distance analyses, we show that the closest relative of the new species is , forming a monophyletic group referring to the genus . Based on the available sequences, we also revealed that and are sister genera, standing close to the third Yucatán subterranean genus, . The data gathered on the habitat, distribution, abundance, and ecology will contribute to the conservation planning for Angyal,
Journal of Crustacean Biology, 2017
Journal of Crustacean Biology, 2018
Recent studies of the trophic structure of the underwater cave ecosystems in the Yucatán Peninsul... more Recent studies of the trophic structure of the underwater cave ecosystems in the Yucatán Peninsula have regarded the largest crustacean inhabitant, the blind palaemonid shrimp Creaseria morleyi (Creaser, 1936), as a scavenger and predator without any evidence on the behavior of the shrimp. The predatory behavior of C. morleyi is here described for the first time, verifying its classification as a predator. A variety of prey targets, including the atyid shrimp Typhlatya sp., were used to demonstrate predation and saprophagous feeding behavior in C. morleyi using in vitro and in situ observations. Scanning electron microscope images show the structures of the antennules and antennae that could be responsible for prey detection. Findings show that C. morleyi is capable of hunting a variety of prey, most likely depending on their relative size. Observations on the feeding strategy of C. morleyi suggest any animal within a particular size range is a potential prey, including its own species, which suggests the hypothesis that growth may be favored in early stages of life in order to reach a size refuge from predation. These observations provide information of some of the adaptations necessary for a predator to thrive in an aphotic and oligotrophic environment.
Speleobiology Notes, 2019
A detailed description of a new stygobiont species of the amphipod family Hadziidae, Mayaweckelia... more A detailed description of a new stygobiont species of the amphipod family Hadziidae, Mayaweckelia troglomorpha Angyal, sp. n. is given, based on material collected in four cenotes of Yucatán federal state, México. Morphology was studied under light microscopy and with scanning electron microscopy. Morphological description is complemented with mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase subunit I (COI) sequences as barcodes, with affinities to the related taxa and with notes on the species' ecology. Using COI Bayesian inference and genetic distance analyses, we show that the closest relative of the new species is M. cenoticola, forming a monophyletic group referring to the genus Mayaweckelia. Based on the available sequences , we also revealed that Mayaweckelia and Tuluweckelia are sister genera, standing close to the third Yucatán subterranean genus, Bahadzia. The data gathered on the habitat, distribution, abundance, and ecology will contribute to the conservation planning for M. troglomorpha Angyal, sp. n.
Zookeys, 2020
New records of 14 stygobiont crustacean species pertaining to six Malacostraca orders from 32 cen... more New records of 14 stygobiont crustacean species pertaining to six Malacostraca orders from 32 cenotes are presented, with their associated caves of the state of Yucatan, Mexico, together with an individual account for each species. Species composition of most of the investigated cenotes is examined for the first time. A thermosbaenacean and two amphipod species were not formally recorded to the cenote ecosystems of the state of Yucatan prior to our research. Distribution data of a cirolanid isopod previously known only from its type locality is also provided. Barcodes of mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase subunit I for the reported peracarid species previously lacking this information have been included in present study as tools for species identification and a baseline of further molecular genetic analyses.
Scientific Reports, 2020
cave shrimps of the Typhlatya genus are common and widespread in fresh, brackish and marine groun... more cave shrimps of the Typhlatya genus are common and widespread in fresh, brackish and marine groundwater throughout the Yucatan peninsula (Mexico). these species are ideal models to test niche partitioning within sympatric species in oligotrophic systems. nevertheless, their food sources remain unidentified, and despite their frequency and functional importance, distribution and abundance patterns of these species within caves have not been fully recognized. Here, we describe the abundance of three Typhlatya species in different temporal and spatial scales, investigate changes in water conditions, and potential sources of carbon as an indication of food origin. Species composition and abundance varied markedly in space and time revealing patterns that differed from one system to another and in relation to environmental parameters. isotope analysis showed that each species reflects a particular δ 13 C and Δ 14 C fingerprint, suggesting they feed in different proportions from the available carbon sources. Overall, our findings suggest a niche partitioning of habitat and feeding sources amongst the three Typhlatya species investigated, where environmental characteristics and physiological differences could play an important role governing their distribution patterns. The lack of photosynthesis in caves and the resulting limitation in food sources is one of the strongest selection pressures and drivers of evolution for life in caves 1. Competition for nutrients in oligotrophic environments, such as anchialine ecosystems-defined as subterranean estuaries that extend inland to the limit of seawater penetration 2 , certainly requires a unique set of specialization traits that allow for niche partitioning amongst stygobionts (aquatic species strictly bound to the subterranean habitat). A closer look at stygobiont biodiversity reveals that co-occurrence of sympatric species within the same system is rare but can be occasionally observed 3,4. This work gathers evidence that suggests how three sympatric cave shrimp species that coexist in groundwater ecosystems have partitioned their niche to avoid competitive exclusion. Groundwater in the anchialine systems of Yucatan is vertically stratified by the intrusion of marine water from the coast which inserts below the freshwater that constantly flows towards the coast 2. This marked halocline, along with changes in temperature, dissolved oxygen, pH and redox potential has been considered a physicochemical barrier that separates freshwater and saline communities 5,6. This stratification is expected in coastal systems, and as distance from the coast increases, the marine intrusion is found deeper and only a few deep cenotes inland may reach the saline layers 7. In terms of energy production and food webs, the sun-influenced cenote pools-cenote is a Mayan derived name for local sinkholes-are the only sites where photosynthesis can take place and allochthonous organic matter can enter the system. Therefore, these ecosystems have been historically regarded as dependent of open 1 Posgrado en Ciencias Biológicas, Unidad de Posgrado, Edificio A, 1er piso,
The faunistic composition of benthic amphipods and tanaids in the cenote Aerolito (Purificacion s... more The faunistic composition of benthic amphipods and tanaids in the cenote Aerolito (Purificacion system), Cozumel, Quintana Roo, Mexico was studied. A total of 8823 specimens were examined and identified to species. The following species of amphipods were recorded: Melita longisetosa, Melita planaterga, Parhyale hawaiensis and the tanaid Hargeria rapax. All the species mentioned above are new records for Cozumel as well as for cenotes. The tanaid H. rapax is the first record for tanaidaceans in cenotes.
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Papers by Efrain Chavez Solís