Description of the Decapodid Stage of Plesionika narval (Fabricius, 1787) (Decapoda: Caridea: Pandalidae) Identified by DNA Barcoding

Abstract

The morphology of the decapodid stage of Plesionika narval (Fabricius, 1787) is described and illustrated based on larvae collected in the Canary Islands waters (NW Africa). Mitochondrial DNA analysis of the barcoding gene COI sequences confirmed the identity of the larvae specimens. Decapodid development of P. narval is compared with other pandalid and related genera Pandalus, Pandalopsis, Procletes, Stylopandalus, and Icotopus. Based on their morphological similarities we concluded that the nomina dubia genus Icotopus is a synonym of Plesionika and herein selected Plesionika over Icotopus as the valid name for the genus.