title: The evolution of a key character, or how to evolve a slipper lobster.
abstract: A new fossil lobster from the Cretaceous of Lebanon, Charbelicaris maronites gen. et sp. nov., is presented here, while the former species 'Cancrinos' libanensis is re-described as Paracancrinos libanensis comb. nov. P. libanensis is shown to be closer related to the contemporary slipper lobsters than to Cancrinos claviger (lithographic limestones, Jurassic, southern Germany). A finely-graded evolutionary scenario for the slipper-lobster morphotype is reconstructed based on these fossil species and extant forms. The evolutionary changes that gave rise to the current plate-like antennae of Scyllaridae, a key apomorphy of this group, are traced back through time. The antenna of what is considered the oldest slipper lobster became petaloid and consisted of about 20 fully articulated elements. For this group the name Scyllarida sensu lato tax. nov. is introduced. In a next evolutionary step, the proximal articles became conjoined and a lateral extension appeared on peduncle element 3. The entire distal petaloid region is conjoined already at the node of Verscyllarida tax. nov. In modern slipper lobsters, Neoscyllarida tax nov., the distal region is no longer petaloid in shape but asymmetrical. The study also emphasizes that exceptionally preserved fossils need to be documented with optimal documentation techniques to obtain all available information.
authors: LMU Munich, Department of Biology II and GeoBio-Center, Großhaderner Str. 2, 82152 Martinsried-Planegg, Germany. Electronic address: joachim.haug@palaeo-evo-devo.info.
authors: Joachim T
authors: JT
authors: Haug
authors: Université de Rennes, EA 7316, 263 Avenue du General Leclerc CS 74205, 35042 Rennes Cedex, France. Electronic address: denis.audo@univ-rennes1.fr.
authors: Denis
authors: D
authors: Audo
authors: Muséum National d'Histoire Naturelle, Paris UMR 7207 CR2P, CNRS-MNHN-UPMC, case postale 38, 57 rue Cuvier, 75231 Paris Cedex 05, France. Electronic address: scharbonnier@mnhn.fr.
authors: Sylvain
authors: S
authors: Charbonnier
authors: Institut Sophia Agrobiotech (INRA), 400 route des Chappes, BP 167, 06903 Sophia Antipolis Cedex, France. Electronic address: Ferran.Palero@sophia.inra.fr.
authors: Ferran
authors: F
authors: Palero
authors: Muséum National d'Histoire Naturelle, Paris UMR 7207 CR2P, CNRS-MNHN-UPMC, case postale 38, 57 rue Cuvier, 75231 Paris Cedex 05, France.
authors: Gilles
authors: G
authors: Petit
authors: Memory of Time, Citadel Area, Byblos, Lebanon.
authors: Pierre
authors: P
authors: Abi Saad
authors: LMU Munich, Department of Biology II and GeoBio-Center, Großhaderner Str. 2, 82152 Martinsried-Planegg, Germany. Electronic address: carolin.haug@palaeo-evo-devo.info.
authors: Carolin
authors: C
authors: Haug
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D057506:Arthropod Antennae / Q000033:anatomy & histology; D005075:Biological Evolution; D033364:Decapoda / Q000033:anatomy & histology* / Q000145:classification*; D005580:Fossils / Q000033:anatomy & histology; D005858:Germany; D010802:Phylogeny
keywords: Achelata; Autofluorescence imaging; Character evolution; Limestones; Scyllarida s. str.; Verscyllarida