A Mysterious World Revealed: Larval-Adult Matching of Deep-Sea Shrimps from the Gulf of Mexico

The identification of deep-sea (>200 m) pelagic larvae is extremely challenging due to the morphological diversity across ontogeny and duration larval phases. Within Decapoda, developmental stages often differ conspicuously from their adult form, representing a bizarre mysterious world still left be discovered. difficulties with sampling rearing larvae, combined lack taxonomic expertise, argues for use molecular methods aid in identification. Here, we DNA barcoding methods, match counterpart northern Gulf Mexico adjacent waters. For barcoding, targeted mitochondrial ribosomal large subunit 16S (16S) protein coding cytochrome oxidase 1 (COI). These data were previous sequences generate phylogenetic trees that used identify 12 unknown two juvenile species infraorder Caridea suborder Dendrobranchiata. Once identified, provide descriptions illustrations alongside current state knowledge all families. many groups, are missing or non-existent, so this study represents first step advance diversity.