Resumen de First record of the skeleton shrimp Deutella venenosa (Amphipoda, Caprellidae) on the coast of Peru

Juan A. Chunga Llauce, Liliana Tapia Ugaz, Aldo S. Pacheco

• The study of caprellids in the waters of Peru is scarce, and only six species have been formally reported. In this study, Deutella venenosa is reported for the first time in the waters of Peru. In October 27, 2021, twenty-five individuals of this species were found in biofouling samples coming from buoys, ropes, and boat hulls, collected in the Port of Ilo (17°38’36’’S, 71°20’52’’W) in southern Peru. The main characteristics to classify our specimens as D. venenosa were the presence of one dorsal acute projection on the head, one dorsal projection medially on pereonite 1, and three dorsal projections on pereonite 2. Before the present study, D. venenosa had only been recorded in Coquimbo (30ºS), Chile; our record extends the distribution of the species along the Southeast Pacific coast northwards. The present study increases the number of caprellid species inhabiting the Peruvian coast. We recommend exploring a variety of potential substrates and habitats to contribute to the knowledge of caprellid diversity in Peru.