| Abstract |
In this study we recorded sponge-dwelling colonies of four Synalpheus species from several locations around the island of Sulawesi, Indonesia. We measured characteristics of the colony organization like colony size, sex ratio, within-colony morphological variation and size frequencies, and recorded the infection with abdominal and thoracic bopyrid isopod parasites. In one particular colony of Synalpheus neptunus neptunus, we found one large ovigerous female or 'queen' together with many male individuals, indicating a eusocial colony organization. A percentage of males in four of the five colonies of this species lack a rostrum. This morphological variation within the colony could be an indication of a highly developed social structure, where behavioural variety (e.g., labour division) is expected. Illustrated diagnoses and restricted synonymics of the species recorded are provided. |
