SHRIMPS OF THE FAMILY CRANGONIDAE FROM THE UPPER CONTINENTAL SLOPE OF CARIBBEAN SEA OF COLOMBIA

Abstract

Four surveys were conducted between October 1998 and April 1999 along the upper section of the Colombian Caribbean Sea continental slope with the aim of compliting marine fauna inventories. During the surveys (INVEMAR-MACROFAUNA 1) individuals of the shrimps Parapontocaris caribbaea, P. vicina, Prionocrangon pectinata and Parapontophilus gracilis (Decapoda: Crangonidae) were found and are herein registered for the first time in Colombian waters. Along with the description of the collected material and reference to site of collection, identification keys, diagnostic characters, diagrams and bathimetric and geographic distribution are included as well as comments on morphological variations of the individuals.