A synthesis of the evolutionary history of erymoid lobsters (Crustacea, Decapoda, Erymoidea)

A synthesis of our current knowledge erymoid lobsters is presented. The superfamily Erymoidea includes two families, Erymidae Van Straelen, 1925 and Enoploclytiidae Devillez, Charbonnier & Barriel, 2019, together encompassing 81 species within six genera. Our examination the palaeobiodiversity this group its evolution has revealed some variations through Mesozoic with three important peaks, at boundaries of: 1) Lower-Middle Jurassic; 2) Middle-Upper 3) Lower-Upper Cretaceous. Whereas origin first peak remains poorly known, others coincide major modifications environment: development European Jurassic carbonate platforms Chalk Sea partial flooding North America during mid- Late In addition to a notable diversity, Cretaceous an time interval in evolutionary history erymoids because Early represented long period relatively low diversity strong decline faunas observed Europe. However, had already attained worldwide distribution occurrences all oceans time. analysis palaeobiogeographic these suggests presence migratory paths, which probably favoured their spread faunal exchanges between different areas across globe.