A phylogeny-based revision of the family Luciferidae (Crustacea: Decapoda)

Abstract

Luciferidae is a family of peculiar and widely distributed shrimps with an unclear systematic position and uncertain internal phylogeny. We undertook a phylogenetic analysis of Luciferidae based on 169 morphological characters (147 binary, 22 multistate). Several characters were based on scanning electron microscopy studies of the reproductive organs (e.g. petasma). All seven recognized species of Luciferidae were included as well as 17 additional species representing all other genera of Sergestoidea. Characters were polarized using three outgroups of the superfamily Penaeoidea, occurring in three different types of oceanic habitat. The phylogenetic analysis revealed monophyly of Luciferidae and the presence of two terminal robust clades within the family, which we treat as separate genera, Lucifer and Belzebub gen. nov. Morphological trends within Luciferidae are discussed, and diagnoses and keys to genera and all species are given.