PROPOSED IUCN REGIONAL STATUS OF ALL CRUSTACEA: DECAPODA FROM THE ROMANIAN BLACK SEA

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1 Analele Ştiinţifice ale Universităţii AL. I. CUZA Iaşi, s. Biologie animală, Tom LII, 2006 PROPOSED IUCN REGIONAL STATUS OF ALL CRUSTACEA: DECAPODA FROM THE ROMANIAN BLACK SEA SANZIANA MICU 1 and DRAGOŞ MICU 2 1 Marine Biological Station Prof. Dr. I. Borcea, Agigea, Constanta, Alexandru Ioan Cuza University of Iasi, sanziana_micu@yahoo.com; 2 National Institute for Marine Research and Development Grigore Antipa Constanta, ddrraaggoossmm@yahoo.com Abstract. The foundation of biodiversity research and management is correctly identifying and naming species but, in the Black Sea scientific community the taxonomy of many groups, including decapod crustaceans, is still confuse. For this reason, our paper contains a complete update of their taxonomy, as well as an evaluation of all decapod species from the Romanian Black Sea against the IUCN Red List Categories & Criteria: version 3.1 (2001) and the Guidelines for Application of IUCN Red List Categories & Criteria at Regional Levels: version 3.0 (2003). The data needed for such an assessment were gathered during using variuos sampling methods: Van Veen grabbing, trawling, netting, baited traps and underwater visual census. Of the 28 decapod species known previously from the Romanian Black Sea, 4 have changed the species name, 3 have changed the genus and 2 have changed both. Eight species do not occur anymore in Romanian waters and for 3 of the remaining 20 species the IUCN catergories and criteria are not applicable due to vagrancy and/or alien status. Among the 17 existing and evaluable species, 5 hold threatened status and 12 are not threatened at present. Keywords: decapod crustaceans, taxonomy, IUCN status, Romanian Black Sea Rezumat. Statutul IUCN regional propus pentru toate speciile de crustacee decapode din sectorul romanesc al Marii Negre Desi in studiile asupra biodiversitatii se urmareste clasificarea corecta a taxonilor, pentru multe grupuri din Marea Neagra, incluzand si crustaceele decapode, se inregistreaza inca multe confuzii. Acesta e motivul pentru care, in lucrarea de fata, autorii prezinta taxonomia actualizata a speciilor de crustacee decapode din sectorul romanesc al Marii Negre precum si evaluarea lor conform categoriilor si criteriilor listei rosii IUCN: versiunea 3.1 (2001) si a ghidului de aplicare a acestor categorii si criterii la nivel regional: versiunea 3.0 (2003). Datele necesare pentru acest studii au fost obtinute intre anii , aplicandu-se diferite metode de colectare a probelor: folosirea grabului Van Veen, traulari, folosirea capcanelor momite precum si censusul visual subacvatic. Din cele 28 de specii de decapode mentionate anterior in sectorul romanesc al Marii Negre, 4 si-au schimbat numele de specie, 3 si-au schimbat genul si 2 si-au schimbat atat numele de specie cat si pe cel de gen. 8 specii nu se mai regasesc in apele romanesti si pentru 3 specii, criteriile IUCN nu sunt aplicabile din cauza statutului de specii invasive sau vagrante. Din cele 17 specii supuse criteriilor IUCN, 5 au statut de specii amenintate in present. Cuvinte cheie: crustacee decapode, taxonomie, statut IUCN, sectorul romanesc al Marii Negre Introduction In the Black Sea, decapod crustaceans are an important group, comprising top predators and ecosystem engineers that play structuring roles in many benthic biocenoses. They also have a high significance as ecological quality indicator species, and some of them sustain/support commercial or traditional fisheries. Although the decapod crustaceans of the Romanian Black Sea were relatively well documented in the past (Borcea 1926, 1927, 1928, 1934, 1936; Bacescu, 1967; Gutu, 1980; Petrescu, 1994, 1995), both the composition of the fauna and the taxonomy have changed during the last decades. For this reason, our paper includes the updated taxonomy for all decapod crustaceans from the Romanian Black Sea, in accord with ERMS (European Register of Marine Species)

2 Sânziana Micu & Dragos Micu Species recorded in the last ten years by various authors have been used to update the checklist published by Bacescu in 1967 with new species and new localities of occurrence. The updated version includes 2 new species, both alien. Also, as a result of our recent work, the distributions of all species have been updated to reflect the present day situation. Another important issue is the conservation status of the decapod species from the Romanian Black Sea. In the existing version of the Black Sea Red Data Book (Dumont, 1999), zoobenthic species have been only sporadically evaluated, and never against the new IUCN Red List Categories & Criteria: version 3.1 (2001) and the Guidelines for Application of IUCN Red List Categories & Criteria at Regional Levels: version 3.0 (2003). Also, due to the use of improper or obsolete sampling methods, the assessments regarding decapod crustaceans from the Romanian Black Sea were often erroneous. Many species listed as threatened in the Black Sea Red Data Book are in fact common and abundant while other species, which really are threatened or even regionally extinct, have not been evaluated. It is therefore obvious that the Black Sea Red Data Book needs a complete overhaul, and the first step is to draw up Red Lists at national levels, which could then serve as a basis for a new and improved Black Sea Red Data Book. The aims of the present paper are to update the taxonomy and to correctly assess the current conservation status of all decapod crustaceans from the Romanian Black Sea.At the same time, it is an accurate inventory of the present diversity of this phylum in the Romanian Black Sea. Material and Methods The taxonomy used in this paper is that of Cedric d Udekem d Acoz and is in agreement with the ERMS 2 database. The paper is based on recent data gathered between using various sampling methods: Van Veen grabbing, trawling, netting, baited traps and underwater visual census. The reference data was obtained from an exhaustive search through all publications concerning the decapod crustaceans from the Western Black Sea published between 1926-and 2004 (Borcea 1926, 1927, 1928, 1934, 1936; Bacescu, 1963, 1965, 1967, 1968, 1971; Bacescu et al, 1963, 1965, 1967, 1968, 1971; Dumitrache 1997; Gomoiu 1968, 1976, 1981; Gutu, 1980; Micu &Micu 2004; Micu & Zaharia, 2005; Micu & Abaza, 2004; Muller et al, 1969; Petrescu, 1994, Petrescu & Balasescu 1995, Petrescu at al, 2000; Tiganus 1972, 1975, 1976, 1981, 1989, 1992; Tiganus & Dumitrache 1992; Zaharia et al, 2002). All decapod species from the Romanian Black Sea were evaluated against the new IUCN Red List Categories & Criteria: version 3.1 (2001) and the Guidelines for Application of IUCN Red List Categories & Criteria at Regional Levels: version 3.0 (2003). For each included species, nine entries are listed: 1. The valid name, as listed in d Udekem d Acoz, 1999 and Costello, Emblow & White, For species whose taxonomic status is still unresolved we listed the current name with the mention incertae sedis 2. Synonyms listed in the Atlas and names that have regional circulation, 3. Misidentifications are valid names of other species, which have been misapplied to the species in question by other authors, 4. IUCN regional status for the Romanian Black Sea: Red List Category and Criteria, 5. including numerical data, inferences that relate to the criteria and their thresholds, 6. Current population trend: increasing, decreasing, stable or unknown, - 8 -

3 Analele Ştiinţifice ale Universităţii AL. I. CUZA Iaşi, s. Biologie animală, Tom LII, Habitat preferences, using a modified version of the Global Land Cover Characterization classification, 8. Major threats: indication of current and future threats, 9. Changes in Regional IUCN status as compared with the older Black Sea Red Data Book (Dumont, 1999). For Upogebia pusilla, Diogenes pugilator and Polybius navigator, the LC status was established in accordance with all IUCN criteria except B1. Because of the limited extent of the Romanian Black Sea shelf, it is impossible for these species to have an extent of occurrence higher than km 2. For the same reason, Palaemon elegans, Pisidia longicornis, Pilumnus hirtellus, Xantho poressa and Pachygrapsus marmoratus were classified as LC and Athanas nitescens, Palaemon adspersus, Eriphia verrucosa as NT, even if their extent of occurrence is less than 5000 km 2. Results and Discussion Ten species have changed their taxonomy in different degrees. Two have changed both genus and species, from Calianassa pontica (Czerniavsky, 1884) to Pestarella candida (Olivi, 1792) and from Liocarcinus arcuatus (Leach, 1814) to Polybius navigator (Herbst, 1794). Three have changed the genus name: from Pontophilus fasciatus (Risso, 1816) to Philocheras fasciatus (Risso, 1816), Pontophilus trispinosus (Hailstone, 1835) to Philocheras trispinosus (Hailstone, 1835) and Liocarcinus vernalis (Risso, 1827) to Polybius vernalis (Risso, 1827). Four have changed the species name: from Hippoyte longirostris (Czerniavsky, 1868) to H. leptocerus (Heller, 1863), Macropodia aegyptia (Milne Edwards, 1834) to M. czernjawskii (Brandt, 1880), Carcinus mediterraneus (Czerniavsky, 1884) to C. aestuarii (Nardo, 1847) and Rhithropanopeus harisii tridentatus (Maitland, 1874) to R. harrisii (Gould, 1841). One species has changed family affiliation, as the genus Eriocheir (de Haan, 1835) has been recently assigned to the Varunidae family (Clark, 2006). Pestarella candida has been known in the past as Calianassa pontica or Callianassa pestae, the utilization of one of the two names being discussed by Holthuis (1953) and Saint Lorent and Bozic (1976). Lewinson and Holthuis (1986) upheld that the name candida has priority. Dworschak and d Acoz (1999) did not find their arguments (based on the identification of specimens with white chelipeds, later shown by d Acoz to occur occasionally) very convincing but, for the sake of nomenclature stability, agreed with the use of the name candida. The most important morphological features of the Pestarella genus, as compared with the Callianassa genus, are the rounded posterior half of the telson, an operculiform 3 rd maxiliped and the absence of the 1 st and 2 nd pleopods in the males (Nguyen Ngoc-Ho, 2003). Polybius navigator - In old literature, all species comprised today in the genera Liocarcinus, Macropipus, Necora and Portunus, were initially included in the Portunus genus, except for Polybius henslowii, which was set apart. A name transfer was really necessary, because the type species of Portunus is totally unrelated with the species considered. Consequently, all the considered species were moved to the Macropipus genus, except for Polybius henslowii (d Udekem d Acoz, pers.comm.). Then, it was remarked that the type species of Macropipus and two other species were somewhat different from the rest, and the group was split in Macropipus tuberculatus, rugosus and australis, Liocarcinus sp. and P. henslowii. Later on, it was also remarked that one more species was a little different and the group was further split into - 9 -

4 Sânziana Micu & Dragos Micu Macropipus tuberculatus, australis and rugosus, Necora puber, Liocarcinus sp. and Polybius henslowii (d Udekem d Acoz, pers.comm.). Polybius henslowii has always been set apart from the rest because it has all swimming legs transformed in paddles. When looking closely at this species, d Acoz remarked that, except for the modifications to a pelagic way of life, Polybius henslowii was exceedingly similar to Liocarcinus holsatus and was probably its sister species. Since Polybius is the oldest name and since the series of splittings were not very coherent, he decided to merge all species in the genus Polybius (d Udekem d Acoz, pers.comm.). The synonymy between Liocarcinus arcuatus and Polybius navigator has already been universally accepted. Phylum ARTHROPODA Subphylum CRUSTACEA Class MALACOSTRACA Infraclass EUMALACOSTRACA Superorder EUCARIDA Order DECAPODA Infraorder CARIDEA Superfamily ALPHAEOIDEA Family HIPPOLYTIDAE Genus HIPPOLYTE Leach, 1814 Valid name: Hippolyte leptocerus (Heller, 1863) Hippolyte longirostris (Czerniavsky, 1868) Hippolyte gracilis ( Heller, 1862) H. varians (Borcea, 1931) H. fascigera (Gosse, 1853) Virbius gracilis var. longirostris (Czerniavsky, 1868) V. tenuirostris (Czerniavsky, 1884) RBS regional IUCN status: Critically Endangered CR A1abc; B1a Observed population size reduction of 90% during , based on direct underwater observation, a decline in area of occupancy, quality of habitat (continuing decline of the Cystoseira barbata belts after 1970). At present, extent of occurrence estimated is less than 100 km 2 and it is severely fragmented. This species may go extinct, without any probability of recolonization. The Romanian Black Sea population of Hippolyte leptocerus is highly dependent on immigration of propagules from Bulgarian waters for long term survival. Current population trend: decreasing Habitat preferences: subtidal aquatic beds (9.3) Major threats: decline of the marine perennial macrophyte Cystoseira coverage (1.1.8) Valid name: Hippolyte inermis (Leach, 1815) Alpheus viridis (Otto, 1821) Virbius brullei (Guerin, 1836) Hippolyte prideauxiana (Leach, 1815) H. gracilis var. viridis (Chichkoff, 1912)

5 Analele Ştiinţifice ale Universităţii AL. I. CUZA Iaşi, s. Biologie animală, Tom LII, 2006 RBS regional IUCN status: Not Applicable NA-vagrant Rationale for listing: This species is a vagrant to the Romanian Black Sea. It was found occasionally, only once, in Romanian waters: 2 juveniles at Mangalia in 1946 (Bacescu, 1967). Current population trend: none Habitat preferences: subtidal aquatic beds (9.3) Major threats:- Genus LYSMATA Risso, 1816 Valid name: Lysmata seticaudata (Risso, 1816) Melicerta seticaudata (Risso, 1816) Lysmata aberrans (Czerniavsky, 1884) Lysmata seticaudata (Pesta, 1918) RBS regional IUCN status: Regionally Extinct RE Rationale for inclusion: This species was mentioned for the first time in the Romanian Black Sea in 1934 (Bacescu, 1937), then in 1950 (2 specimens) and in 1957 (5 specimens) at Agigea (Bacescu, 1967). Because it has not been found ever since, and we have never encountered it, even after extensive searches in suitable habitat, there is no reasonable doubt that the last individual had disappeared. Gutu considered this species as disappeared already in Current population trend: none Habitat preferences: rocky shores (10.1) Major threats:- Family ALPHAEIDAE Genus ATHANAS Leach, 1814 Valid name: Athanas nitescens (Leach, 1814) Athanas laevirynchus (Risso, 1816) Athanas nitescens var. laeviryhnchus (Risso, 1816) RBS regional IUCN status: Near Threatened NT Rationale for inclusion: This species has been evaluated against the criteria and does not qualify for CR, EN or VU. Observed population size reduction is 15-20% during the last 25 years, due to eutrophication and decline in quality of habitat (rocky infralittoral). Direct underwater observations have shown that the current (2005) densities are higher than in : 117 ind.m -2 (Tuzla, -3m), 102 ind.m -2 (Agigea, -3m) (Fig. 1). Current population trend: increasing Habitat preferences: rocky shores (10.1) Major threats: eutrophication (6.3.11)

6 Sânziana Micu & Dragos Micu Figure 1. Present distribution of Athanas nitescens in the Romanian Black Sea. Superfamily CRANGONOIDEA Family CRANGONIDAE Genus CRANGON Fabricius, 1798 Valid name: Crangon crangon (Linne, 1758) Cancer crangon (Linne, 1758) Crangon vulgaris (Fabricius, 1798) Crangon rubropunctatus (Risso, 1816) Crangon maculosus (Rathke, 1837) Crangon vulgaris var. maculosus (Chichkoff, 1912) RBS regional IUCN status: Least Concern LC

7 Analele Ştiinţifice ale Universităţii AL. I. CUZA Iaşi, s. Biologie animală, Tom LII, 2006 Direct observations revealed that this is a common and abundant species for the sandy and muddy bottoms, from 2m to 60-80m depths (Fig. 2). Current population trend: increasing Habitat preferences: sandy coast (10.2) Major threats: none (0) Figure 2. Present distribution of Crangon crangon in the Romanian Black Sea. Genus PHILOCHERAS Stebbing, 1900 Valid name: Philocheras fasciatus (Risso, 1816) Ponthophilus fasciatus (Risso, 1816) Crangon fasciatus (Risso, 1816) Misidentifications: RBS regional IUCN status: Not Applicable NA-vagrant

8 Sânziana Micu & Dragos Micu This species is a vagrant to the Romanian Black Sea. It was found only occasionally, at Mangalia - 2 specimens and at 23 August -4 specimens (Bacescu, 1967). Current population trend: none Habitat preferences: sandy coast, deep rocky shores (10.2, 9.3) Major threats: - Valid name: Philocheras trispinosus (Hailstone, 1835) Ponthophilus trispinosus (Hailstone, 1835) Crangon trispinosus (Hailstone, 1835) RBS regional IUCN status: Regionally Extinct RE This species was found for the first time in the Romanian Black Sea in 1948 at Agigea, 4 specimens (Bacescu, 1967). Because since 1966 it has never been found, there is no reasonable doubt that the last individual has disappeared. Gutu (1980) already considered this species as disappeared more than 25 years ago. Current population trend: none Habitat preferences: sandy coast (10.2) Major threats: - Superfamily PALAEMONONOIDEA Family PALAEMONIDAE Genus PALAEMON Weber, 1795 Valid name: Palaemon adspersus (Rathke, 1837) Leander adspersus (Rathke, 1837) Leander adspersus fabricii (Rathke, 1843) RBS regional IUCN status: Near Threatened NT This species has been evaluated against the criteria and does not qualify for CR, EN or VU. Observed population size reduction of 15-20% during the last 25 years, due to eutrophication and decline in quality of habitat (continuing decline of Zostera marina meadows after 1970). Recorded abundances of this species are highly variable: in specimens were found at Tabacarie (Bacescu, 1967); in 1980 almost disappeared (Gutu, 1980); in specimens at Tuzla, (Petrescu & Balasescu, 1995), in ind.m -2 at Mamaia, 3 ind.m -2 at Agigea (Fig. 3). Because it is an edible species and its potential level of exploitation is high enough (hundreds are captured daily in the fish trap-nets), there was a decline in both the area of occupancy and the extent of occurrence. Current population trend: increasing Habitat preferences: subtidal aquatic beds (9.3) Major threats: decline or even disappearance of Zostera marina meadows, which were the preferred biotope of this species, netting (1.1.8, )

9 Analele Ştiinţifice ale Universităţii AL. I. CUZA Iaşi, s. Biologie animală, Tom LII, 2006 Figure. 3. Present distribution of Palaemon adspersus in the Romanian Black Sea. Valid name: Palaemon elegans (Rathke, 1843) Palaemon elegans (Rathke, 1837) Leander squilla (Czerniavsky, 1884) RBS regional IUCN status: Least Concern LC Direct observations revealed that this is a common and abundant species, widespread on the rocky bottoms with macrophyte algae, from -0.5m to -10m (Fig. 4). Current population trend: stable Habitat preferences: subtidal aquatic beds (9.3) Major threats: none (0)

10 Sânziana Micu & Dragos Micu Figure 4. Present distribution of Palaemon elegans in the Romanian Black Sea. Superfamily PROCESSOIDEA Family PROCESSIDAE Genus PROCESSA Leach, 1815 Valid name: Processa pontica (Heller, 1863) incertae sedis Nika edulis (Czerniavsky, 1884) Nikoides pontica (Sovinsky, 1882) Processa edulis (Bacescu, 1937) Processa edulis f. pontica (Bacescu, 1949) RBS regional IUCN status: Not Applicable NA-vagrant This is a very poorly known species and it has an unresolved taxonomic status. A review of the Mediterranean Processidae is desirable. This species is a vagrant to the Romanian Black Sea. It was found occasionally, in 1935, at Agigea (12 specimens) (Bacescu, 1967) and in 1941 in Romanian waters (Antipa, 1941)

11 Analele Ştiinţifice ale Universităţii AL. I. CUZA Iaşi, s. Biologie animală, Tom LII, 2006 Current population trend: none Habitat preferences: subtidal aquatic beds (9.3) Major threats: - Infraorder THALASSINIDEA Superfamily CALIANASSOIDEA Family CALLIANASSIDAE Genus CALLIANASSA Leach, 1814 Valid name: Callianassa truncata (Giard et Bonnier, 1896) Callianassa italica (Parisi, 1915) Necallianassa truncata (Giard et Bonnier, 1890) RBS regional IUCN status: Not Applicable NA-vagrant This species is a vagrant to the Romanian Black Sea. It was found occasionally, only in 1948, at Agigea and only as larval stages (Bacescu, 1967). Current population trend: none Habitat preferences: sandy coast (10.2) Major threats: - Genus PESTARELLA Valid name: Pestarella candida (Olivi, 1792) Callianassa candida (Olivi, 1792) Callianassa pontica (Czerniavsky, 1884) Callianassa pestae (De Man, 1928) Callianassa pestai (De Man, 1928) Callianassa subterranea (Heller, 1863) C. thyrena (Caspers, 1951) RBS regional IUCN status: Not Applicable NA-vagrant This species is a vagrant to the Romanian Black Sea. It was found occasionally: in 1951 at Neptun as larval stages only, in 1954 at Agigea (8 larvae) (Bacescu, 1967). Current population trend: none Habitat preferences: sandy coast (10.2) Major threats: - Genus UPOGEBIA Leach, 1814 Valid name: Upogebia pusilla (Petagna, 1792) Astacus pusilla (Petagna, 1792) Thalasina litoralis (Risso, 1816) Gebia litoralis (Risso, 1816) Upogebia littoralis (Risso, 1816) RBS regional IUCN status: Least Concern LC Direct underwater observations revealed that this is a common and abundant species for the sandy and muddy bottoms, from -2m to -30m depth (Fig. 5)

12 Sânziana Micu & Dragos Micu Current population trend: increasing Habitat preferences: sandy coast (10.2) Major threats: none (0) Changes in Regional IUCN status: In the Black Sea Red Data Book (Dumont, 1999), this species was listed as EN. This status is hard to justify and cannot be maintained, especially for the Romanian Black Sea. During the last 10 years this species showed no sign of decrease, quite the opposite. Taking into consideration its burrowing way of life, the lack of Upogebia in older benthic samples may be due to the use of improper sampling methods. Infraorder ANOMURA Superfamily PAGUROIDEA Family DIOGENIDAE Genus CLIBANARIUS Dana, 1852 Valid name: Clibanarius erythropus (Latreille, 1818) Clibanarius misanthropus (Latreille, 1818) Pagurus nigritarsis (Lucas, 1849) Clibanarius misanthropus (Czerniavsky, 1884) RBS regional IUCN status: Critically Endagered CR A1abce; B1ab(i,ii,iv,v)c(i,ii,iii,iv) + 2ab(i,ii,iv,v)c(i,ii,iii,iv) Observed population size reduction of 90% during , due to eutrophication, pollution and habitat (shallow rocky shores) degradation. Direct underwater observations have revealed that the current densities are extremely low ( ind.m -2 ) and there is a marked decline in both the extent of occurrence (which is less than 100 km 2 ) and area of occupancy (which is less than 10 km 2 ) as shown on the map (Fig. 6). At present the species exists at a single location (Agigea), after a continuous decline in extent of occurrence, area of occupancy, number of locations and number of mature individuals. The extreme fluctuations in extent of occurrence, area of occupancy, number of locations and number of mature individuals that may occur from year to year suggest that the Romanian Black Sea population of Clibanarius erythropus is highly dependent on immigration of propagules from Bulgaria and/or Crimeea for long term survival. Current population trend: unknown Habitat preferences: shallow rocky shores (10.1) Major threats: severe winters, coastal pollution, eutrophication (7.3, 6.3.8, 6.3.9, )

13 Analele Ştiinţifice ale Universităţii AL. I. CUZA Iaşi, s. Biologie animală, Tom LII, 2006 Figure 5. Present distribution of Upogebia pusilla in the Romanian Black Sea. Genus DIOGENES Pennington, 1941 Valid name: Diogenes pugilator (Roux, 1829) Diogenes varians (Heller, 1863), Pagurus ponticus (Kessler, 1861) Pagurus pugilator (Roux, 1928)

14 Sânziana Micu & Dragos Micu Figure 6. Present distribution of Clibanarius erythropus in the Romanian Black Sea. RBS regional IUCN status: Least Concern LC Direct underwater observations revealed that this is a common and abundant species on sandy bottoms, from -1m (in the summer) to -40m (Fig. 7). Current population trend: increasing Habitat preferences: sandy coast (10.2) Major threats: none (0) Changes in Regional IUCN status: In the Black Sea Red Data Book (Dumont, 1999), this species was listed as EN. This status is hard to justify and cannot be maintained, especially for the Romanian Black Sea, where the species is widespread and highly abundant. During the last 10 years, this species showed no sign of decrease, quite the opposite. Superfamily GALATHEOIDEA Family PORCELLANIDAE Genus PISIDIA Leach, 1820 Valid name: Pisidia longicornis (Linne, 1767) Cancer longicornis (Linne, 1768) Porcellana longicornis (Linne, 1767) P. longirostris (Rathke, 1937) P. longimana (Zakutskii, 1965)

15 Analele Ştiinţifice ale Universităţii AL. I. CUZA Iaşi, s. Biologie animală, Tom LII, 2006 Porcellana digitalis var. pontica (Czerniavsky, 1868) Porcellana rissoi (Czerniavsky, 1884) Figure 7. Present distribution of Diogenes pugilator in the Romanian Black Sea. Misidentifications: RBS regional IUCN status: Near Threatened NT Habitat preferences: rocky shores (10.1) This species has been evaluated against the criteria and does not qualify for CR, EN or VU. Observed population size reduction is 15-20% during the last 25 years, due to eutrophication and decline in quality of habitat (rocky infralittoral)

16 Sânziana Micu & Dragos Micu Direct underwater observations have shown that the current densities are higher than in : 95 ind.m -2 at Tuzla (-10m), 88 ind.m -2 at Agigea (-10m), 87 ind.m -2 at Vama Veche (-10m) (Fig. 8). Current population trend: increasing Major threats: eutrophication (6.3.11) Figure 8. Present distribution of Pisidia longicornis in the Romanian Black Sea. Infraorder BRACHYURA Section EUBRACHYURA Subsection HETEROTREMATA Superfamily MAJOIDEA Family MAJIDAE Genus MACROPODIA Leach, 1814 Valid name: Macropodia czernjawskii (Brandt, 1880) Macropodia aegyptia (Milne Edwards, 1834) Stenorhynchus aegyptius (H. Milne Edwards, 1834) Macropodia longirostris (Bacescu, 1937) RBS regional IUCN status: Not Applicable NA-vagrant Habitat preferences: subtidal aquatic beds (9.3) This species is a vagrant to the Romanian Black Sea. It was found occasionally, in Romanian waters (Antipa, 1941) and in 1954 one adult at Mangalia (Bacescu, 1967)

17 Analele Ştiinţifice ale Universităţii AL. I. CUZA Iaşi, s. Biologie animală, Tom LII, 2006 Current population trend: none Major threats:- Superfamily PORTUNOIDEA Family PORTUNIDAE Genus POLYBIUS Leach, 1820 Valid name: Polybius navigator (Herbst, 1794) Liocarcinus arcuatus (Leach, 1814) Macropipus arcuatus (Leach, 1814) Polybius arcuatus (Leach, 1814) RBS regional IUCN status: Endagered EN A1abc; B1ab(i,ii,iii,iv,v)c(i,ii,iii,iv) + 2ab(i,ii, iii,iv,v)c(i,ii,iii,iv) Habitat preferences: subtidal aquatic beds (9.3) Observed populations size reduction of 70% on the last 20 years, due to habitat (perennial macrophyte associations with Phyllophora) degradation, bottom trawling and eutrophication. Direct underwater observations have shown a marked decline in current population densities: in 1980 it was frequently found, in 2004 we could not find any. Extent of occurrence is estimated to be less than 5000 km 2 and area of occupancy less than 500 km 2 (Fig.9). The extreme fluctuations in the extent of occurrence, area of occupancy, number of locations and number of mature individuals indicate that Romanian Black Sea populations of Polybius navigator are dependent on immigration of propagules from Crimeea and Bulgaria. Current population trend: decreasing Major threats: reduction or even disparition of the deep Phyllophora field, eutrophication (1.1.8, ). Changes in Regional IUCN status: In the Black Sea Red Data Book (Dumont, 1999), this species was listed as VU. Valid name: Polybius vernalis (Risso, 1827) Liocarcinus vernalis (Risso, 1827) Macropipus holsatus (Fabricius, 1798) Macropipus barbarus (Lucas, 1846) RBS regional IUCN status: Least Concern LC Direct underwater observations revealed that it is a common and abundant species on sandy and muddy bottoms, from -1m (during summer) to -40m (Fig. 10). Current population trend: increasing Habitat preferences: sandy coast (10.2) Major threats: none (0)

18 Sânziana Micu & Dragos Micu Figure 9. Present distribution of Polybius navigator in the Romanian Black Sea. Genus CALLINECTES Stimpson, 1860 Valid name: Callinectes sapidus (Rathbun, 1896) Misidentification: Neptunus pelagicus (Linne, 1758) RBS regional IUCN status: Not Applicable NA-alien and vagrant This is an alien species for the Romanian Black Sea. In 1998 the first specimen of Callinectes sapidus was collected in the southern part of the Romanian coast at 23 August (Gomoiu & Skolka, 1998). In 2000 another female specimen was captured by fishermen at Agigea (Fig. 11). Our data do not support the establishment of a selfmaintaining population in the Romanian Black Sea. Current population trend: increasing Habitat preferences: sandy coast (10.2) Threats: local fisheries ( )

19 Analele Ştiinţifice ale Universităţii AL. I. CUZA Iaşi, s. Biologie animală, Tom LII, 2006 Figure 10. Present distribution of Polybius vernalis in the Romanian Black Sea. Genus CARCINUS LEACH, 1814 Valid name: Carcinus aestuarii (Nardo, 1847) Carcinus mediterraneus (Czerniavsky, 1884) Misidentifications: RBS regional IUCN status: Endangered EN A1abc; B1ab(i,ii,iii,iv) + 2ab(i,ii,iv,v) c(i,ii,iii,iv); C2a(i,ii)b Observed populations size reduction of 70% on the last 20 years, due to habitat degradation (Zostera marina meadows), bottom trawling and eutrophication. Direct underwater observations and fishing with nets and traps have shown a marked decline of densities: in 1980 it was frequently found (Gutu, 1980), in

20 Sânziana Micu & Dragos Micu Figure 11. Present distribution of Callinectes sapidus in the Romanian Black Sea. specimens at Mangalia, in specimen at Schitu (Petrescu, Balasescu 1995), in specimen at Agigea. Extent of occurrence is estimated to be less than 5000 km2 and area of occupancy less than 500 km2 (Fig. 12). The extreme fluctuations in extent of occurrence, area of occupancy, number of locations, number of mature individuals, and with no subpopulation estimated to contain more than 250 mature individuals indicate that Carcinus aestuarii is declining in the Romanian Black Sea and is dependent on immigration of propagules from Bulgaria and Crimeea. Current population trend: decreasing Habitat preferences: subtidal aquatic beds (9.3) Major threats: reducing the marine perennial macrophytae Zostera marina coverage (1.1.8)

21 Analele Ştiinţifice ale Universităţii AL. I. CUZA Iaşi, s. Biologie animală, Tom LII, 2006 Changes in Regional IUCN status: In the Black Sea Red Data Book (Dumont, 1999), this species was listed as VU. Our observations have shown a decreasing trend and application of the new criteria resulted in an upgrade of the category. Figure 12. Present distribution of Carcinus aestuarii in the Romanian Black Sea. Superfamily XANTHOIDEA Family XANTHIDAE Genus XANTHO Leach, 1814 Valid name: Xantho poressa (Olivi, 1792) Xantho rivulosus (Risso, 1816) Xantho hydrophilus (Herbst, 1790) RBS regional IUCN status: Least Concern LC Direct observations and fishing revealed that it is a common and abundant species, widespread on rocky bottoms covered by macrophyte algae, from -1m to -10m (Fig. 13). Current population trend: increasing

22 Sânziana Micu & Dragos Micu Habitat preferences: subtidal aquatic beds (9.3) Major threats: none (0) Changes in Regional IUCN status: In the Black Sea Red Data Book (1999), this species was listed as VU. This status is hard to justify and cannot be maintained, especially for the Romanian Black Sea, as the level of Xantho poressa populations has never been too low and it steadily increased during the last 10 years. Figure 13. Present distribution of Xantho poressa in the Romanian Black Sea. Family ERIPHIIDAE Genus ERIPHIA Latreille, 1817 Valid name: Eriphia verrucosa (Forskal, 1785) Eriphia spinifrons (Herbst, 1785)

23 Analele Ştiinţifice ale Universităţii AL. I. CUZA Iaşi, s. Biologie animală, Tom LII, 2006 RBS regional IUCN status: Near Threatened NT This species has been evaluated against the criteria and does not qualify for CR, EN or VU. Observed population size reduction is 15-20% during the last 25 years, due to eutrophication and decline in quality of habitat (rocky substratum covered by algae). Direct underwater observations have shown that the current densities are higher than in Gutu (1980) listed it as rare, but today it is widespread and common on all unpolluted rocky bottoms between -5 and -15m depth (Fig. 14) Current population trend: increasing Habitat preferences: subtidal aquatic beds (9.3) Major threats: winter hard frost, a lower rate of larval surviving (7.3, 9.3). Changes in Regional IUCN status: In the Black Sea Red Data Book (Dumont, 1999), this species was listed EN. Our direct observations have shown a strong and steady increase in densities, age and reproductive success, so the category was downgraded. Family PANOPEIDAE Genus RHITHROPANOPEUS Rathbun, 1898 Valid name: Rhithropanopeus harrisii (Gould, 1841) Rhithropanopeus harrisii tridentatus (Maitland, 1874) Heteropanope tridentata (Maitland, 1874) RBS regional IUCN status: Not Applicable NA - alien This is an alien species in the Romanian Black Sea. Its presence was recorded for the first time in 1951, in the brackish waters of Razelm-Sinoe lagoon (Ziemiankowski, 1951, Bacescu, 1952). Our observations revealed that today it is a common species in the Romanian Black Sea, widespread on rocky bottoms covered by algae, from -3m to -10m depth. It is also present in Razelm-Sinoe lagoon and in the lower River Danube, where it reaches upstream as far as Cernavoda (Fig. 15). Current population trend: increasing Habitat preferences: subtidal aquatic beds (9.3) Major threats: none (0) Family PILUMNIDAE Genus PILUMNUS Leach, 1815 Valid name: Pilumnus hirtellus (Leach, 1815) Cancer hirtellus (Linne, 1766) Pilumnus hirtellus (Czerniavsky, 1884) Pilumnus villosus (Czerniavsky, 1884) RBS regional IUCN status: Least Concern LC Direct observations revealed that this is a common and abundant species, widespread on rocky bottoms from -1m to -20m (Fig. 16). Current population trend: increasing Habitat preferences: subtidal aquatic beds (9.3)

24 Sânziana Micu & Dragos Micu Major threats: none (0) Changes in Regional IUCN status: In the Black Sea Red Data Book (Dumont, 1999), this species was listed as VU. This status is unsupported and cannot be maintained, especially in the Romanian Black Sea. Figure 14. Present distribution of Eriphia verrucosa in the Romanian Black Sea

25 Analele Ştiinţifice ale Universităţii AL. I. CUZA Iaşi, s. Biologie animală, Tom LII, 2006 Figure 15. Present distribution of Rhithropanopeus harrisii in the Romanian Black Sea. Subsection THORACOTREMATA Superfamily GRAPSOIDEA Family VARUNIDAE Subfamily VARUNINAE Genus ERIOCHEIR de Haan, 1835 Valid name: Eriocheir sinensis (Milne Edwards, 1853) - RBS regional IUCN status: Not Applicable NA - alien This is an alien species in the Romanian Black Sea. In 1934, Vasiliu noted for the first time presence of Eriocheir sinensis in the Black Sea. This citation was later invalidated by Bacescu (1967), who could not find the material in collections. We believe that the citation by Vasiliu was correct and that the mitten crab was introduced repeatedly

26 Sânziana Micu & Dragos Micu in the area. In 1997 a specimen of Eriocheir sinensis was captured at Musura Bay (Gomoiu, Skolka, 1998). Based on the recent record of Eriocheir from the Serbian part of River Danube (Paunovic et al., 2004) and information we have from fishermen operating in the Danube Delta, it is very likely that the mitten crab has established populations in the Romanian stretch of River Danube, the Danube Delta and prodelta (Fig. 17). Current population trend: increasing Habitat preferences: estuarine waters (10.3) Major threats: local fisheries ( ) Figure 16. Present distribution of Pilumnus hirtellus in the Romanian Black Sea

27 Analele Ştiinţifice ale Universităţii AL. I. CUZA Iaşi, s. Biologie animală, Tom LII, 2006 Figure 17. Present distribution of Eriocheir sinensis in the Romanian Black Sea. Family GRAPSIDAE Genus BRACHYNOTUS de Haan, 1833 Valid name: Brachynotus sexdentatus (Risso, 1827) Heterograpsus sexdentatus (Lucas, 1849) Brachynotus gemmelari (Rizza, 1839) Brachynotus lucasi (H. Milne Edwards, 1853) Heterograpsus lucasi (H.M. Edwards, 1853) RBS regional IUCN status: Critically Endangered CR A2ac; B1ab(ii,iii,iv)c(ii, iii) + 2ab(ii,iii,iv)c(ii,iii) Observed population size reduction of 90% during , due to eutrophication, pollution and habitat degradation. Direct underwater observations have revealed that the current densities are lower than in 1980, when it was frequently found. There is a marked decline in both the extent of occurrence (which is less than 100 km 2 ) and area of occupancy (which is less than 10km 2 ) as shown on the map (Fig. 18)

28 Sânziana Micu & Dragos Micu This species has a severely fragmented habitat, after a continuous decline in extent of occurrence, area of occupancy and number of locations. There is no continuous population along the coast, its subpopulations occupying rare suitable patches of habitat. In the Romanian Black Sea Brachynotus lives only on hard clay or marl beds with Pholas dactylus burrows. Hence, it is dependent on the habitat created by the boring bivalve Pholas dactylus, which is in turn a Critically Endangered and rare species. Current population trend: increasing Habitat preferences: clayey substratum (14) Major threats: severe winters, eutrophication, Pholas population fluctuations (7.3, , 9.8) Figure 18. Present distribution of Brachynotus sexdentatus in the Romanian Black Sea. Genus PACHYGRAPSUS Randall, 1840 Valid name: Pachygrapsus marmoratus (Fabricius, 1787) Cancer marmoratus (Fabricius, 1787) Grapsus varius (Latreille, 1867) Grapsus marmoratus (Grube, 1884) RBS regional IUCN status: Least Concern LC

29 Analele Ştiinţifice ale Universităţii AL. I. CUZA Iaşi, s. Biologie animală, Tom LII, 2006 Direct observations revealed that this is a common and abundant species, widespread on rocky bottoms, from the midlittoral to a depth of -15m (Fig. 19). Current population trend: increasing Habitat preferences: rocky shores (10.1) Major threats: none (0) Changes in Regional IUCN status: In the Black Sea Red Data Book (Dumont, 1999), this species was listed VU. This status is hard to justify and cannot be maintained, especially for the Romanian Black Sea, as the level of Pachygrapsus marmoratus populations has never been too low and it has steadily increased during the last 10 years. Figure 19. Present distribution of Pachygrapsus marmoratus in the Romanian Black Sea. Conclusions Of the 28 decapod species known previously from the Romanian Black Sea, 4 have changed the species name, 3 have changed the genus and 2 have changed both

30 Sânziana Micu & Dragos Micu Of the 28 species, 19 have been evaluated against the IUCN criteria, while for 9 species (Hippolyte inermis, Philocheras fasciatus, Processa pontica, Pestarella candida, Callianassa truncata, Macropodia czernjawskii, Callinectes sapidus, Rhithropanopeus harrisii, Eriocheir sinensis) the criteria were not applicable (NA), due to vagrancy or alien status. Of the 19 evaluable species, 2 (Lysmata seticaudata, Philocheras trispinosus) have not been recorded during the last 40 years, while for Hippolyte leptocerus the last record has been made 25 years ago (Gutu, 1980). None of them have been found by us either, although we have searched for them extensively. Of the 9 non-evaluable species, 6 (Hippolyte inermis, Philocheras fasciatus, Processa pontica, Pestarella candida, Callianassa truncata, Macropodia czernjawskii) have also not been recorded for a very long time and they do not occur in the Romanian Black Sea anymore. Of the 7 species listed as threatened in the Black Sea Red Data Book (Dumont, 1999) only 2 (Polybius navigator, Carcinus aestuarii) have preserved their threatened status, while 2 (Clibanarius erythropus, Brachynotus sexdentatus) species which were not evaluated in the Black Sea Red Data Book have gained threatened status. Table 1. Changes in the IUCN status of decapod species which are evaluable. Species BSRDB Actual status Lysmata seticaudata NE RE Philocheras trispinosus NE RE Hippolyte leptocerus NE CR Clibanarius erythropus NE CR Brachynotus sexdentatus NE CR Carcinus aestuarii VU EN Polybius navigator VU EN Athanas nitescens NE NT Palaemon adspersus NE NT Pisidia longicornis NE NT Eriphia verrucosa EN NT Xantho poressa VU LC Pilumnus hirtellus VU LC Pachygrapsus marmoratus VU LC Upogebia pusilla EN LC Diogenes pugilator EN LC Crangon crangon NE LC Palaemon elegans NE LC Polybius vernalis NE LC At present, there are 20 decapod species living in the Romanian Black Sea, of which 2 EN, 3 CR, 4 NT, 8LC and 3 NA. Acknowledgements The authors thank dr. Cedric d Udekem d Acoz for his advice on Processa sp. and Polybius sp. taxonomy. References Andriescu I., Le zoobenthos de l ecosysteme des fonds rocheux de la cote roumaine. In: Biologie des eaux saumatres de la Mer Noire, Pora E.A. (ed), IRCM, Constanţa, 1:

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