Systematics, phylogeny, and taphonomy of ghost shrimps (Decapoda): a perspective from the fossil record.

ABSTRACT: Ghost shrimps of Callianassidae and Ctenochelidae are soft-bodied, usually heterochelous decapods representing major bioturbators of muddy and sandy (sub)marine substrates. Ghost shrimps have a robust fossil record spanning from the Early Cretaceous (~ 133 Ma) to the Holocene and their remains are present in most assemblages of Cenozoic decapod crustaceans. Their taxonomic interpretation is in flux, mainly because the generic assignment is hindered by their insufficient preservation and disagreement in the biological classification. Furthermore, numerous taxa are incorrectly classified within the catch-all taxon Callianassa. To show the historical patterns in describing fossil ghost shrimps and to evaluate taphonomic aspects influencing the attribution of ghost shrimp remains to hig

SUBMITTER: Hyzny M 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC4972427 | biostudies-literature | 2015 Dec

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature