Range extension of the mud crab Eurypanopeus depressus (Smith, 1869) (Decapoda, Panopeidae): A new record for the coastal south of Brazil

Abstract

The discovery of Eurypanopeus depressus (Decapoda: Panopeidae; Smith, 1869) on the coast of Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil suggests that the species was recently introduced, possibly due to different sources of introduction, such as the ballast water of ships. E. depressus were collected using otter-trawl net in the Patos Lagoon Estuary. Discussion focuses on the fact that the primary South American distribution derives from Uruguayan shores, and later expanded to nearby places (Brazil and Argentina). This work extends the Southern Hemisphere distribution for the species, as it was previously reported only from Argentina to Uruguay.