On the frequency of eusociality in sanapping shrimps (decapoda: alpheidae), with description of a second eusocial species

摘要

Recently, the Caribbean snapping shrimp Synalpheus regalis was shown to be eusocial by the criteria historically used for honeybees, ants, and termites, i.e. colonies contain a single reproducing female and a large number of non-breening "workers". This finding prompted a reexamination of several previously puzzling reports of unusual population structures in other Synalpheus species. New collections, and observations made by stu- dents of this genus over the last century, suggest that several sponge-dwelling Synalpheus species similarly exhibit overlapping generations and monopolization of reproduction by a few individuals, and thus that these species may also be eusocial according to classical entomological criteria.