title: Distribution and species identification in the crustacean isopod genusDynameneLeach, 1814 along the North East Atlantic-Black Sea axis.
abstract: Sphaeromatid isopods, such asDynamene, are common and abundant members of the invertebrate fauna of littoral and shallow sublittoral substrates. Six species ofDynameneoccur in the northern hemisphere. Only two species exist outside this range, in Australia. The distribution of the various species in the NE Atlantic-Black Sea axis has been controversial due to the difficulty in the identification of the different species. This has led to inaccurate records of their distribution, ultimately generating uncertain or faulty assessments on the biodiversity of these habitats. An update and a clarification about the distribution of this genus is therefore in order. In this study, we describe the distribution ofDynamenespecies in the light of new records from the NE Atlantic Ocean and its associated islands, and the Mediterranean, Black and Red Seas, and from re-examination of museum and several authors' personal collections. Based on these observations, we extend the northern and southern limits ofDynamene bidentata(Adams); the western and southern limits ofDynamene magnitorataHoldich; the northern, eastern and western limits ofDynamene edwardsi(Lucas); and the eastern and western limits ofDynamene bifidaTorelli. The range ofDynamene tubicaudaHoldich is extended, but is still only known from the eastern Mediterranean. We also clarify the synonymy ofDynamene torelliaeHoldich withDynamene bicolor(Rathke), and the occurrence ofDynamene bicolorin the Black Sea. New distribution maps of the sixDynamenespecies are presented. Illustrated keys to the adult males and females of the northern hemisphere species are provided.
authors.affiliation: Departamento de Biologia and CESAM - Centro de Estudos do Ambiente e do Mar, Universidade de Aveiro, Campus Santiago, 3810-193 Aveiro, Portugal.
authors.forename: Pedro E
authors.initials: PE
authors.lastname: Vieira
authors.affiliation: Departamento de Biologia and CESAM - Centro de Estudos do Ambiente e do Mar, Universidade de Aveiro, Campus Santiago, 3810-193 Aveiro, Portugal.
authors.forename: Henrique
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Queiroga
authors.affiliation: CBMA - Centro de Biologia Molecular e Ambiental, Departamento de Biologia, Universidade do Minho, Campus Gualtar, 4710-057 Braga, Portugal.
authors.forename: Filipe O
authors.initials: FO
authors.lastname: Costa
authors.affiliation: Aquatic Consultant, Keyworth, Nottinghamshire, England, UK.
authors.forename: David M
authors.initials: DM
authors.lastname: Holdich
keywords: Crustacea; Dynamene; Isopoda; Sphaeromatidae; distribution; identification