Hepatus

Members of Hepatus possess a broadly oval to rounded carapace with a box-like profile, characteristic of the family Aethridae. The carapace surface is typically granular or tuberculate. Chelipeds are stout and often unequal. The genus can be distinguished from the related genus Calappa by carapace proportions and the structure of the cheliped fingers. Species-level identification requires examination of carapace ornamentation, anterolateral tooth patterns, and male abdominal structure.

Marine benthic environments, primarily continental shelf waters. Hepatus pudibundus has been collected from sandy and muddy substrates in coastal waters at depths associated with shrimp trawl fisheries, typically less than 50 meters.

Western Atlantic Ocean, from the Caribbean Sea to the coast of Brazil. Hepatus epheliticus occurs in the western Atlantic from North Carolina to Brazil. Hepatus pudibundus is distributed along the southeastern and southern coast of Brazil. The genus also occurs in the eastern Pacific (H. chiliensis, H. lineatus).

Reproductive activity in Hepatus pudibundus occurs year-round with peak intensity during summer months (December-February in the southern hemisphere). Juveniles and ovigerous females are present throughout the year, indicating continuous recruitment.

Hepatus pudibundus exhibits determinate growth with size at first maturity estimated at 3.3 cm carapace width for both sexes. Males attain larger maximum sizes than females. Ovigerous females carry eggs externally on the pleopods. Moulting continues after sexual maturity, as evidenced by post-mature moult activity in all size classes.

Hepatus pudibundus is a burrowing species that spends much of its time concealed in sediment. Individuals are captured as bycatch in bottom trawl fisheries targeting penaeid shrimp, indicating they are relatively sedentary and do not avoid trawl gear.

Hepatus species function as benthic predators and scavengers in continental shelf ecosystems. Hepatus pudibundus represents a significant biomass component (up to 50% of trawl biomass in some areas) in coastal shrimp fishing grounds, indicating substantial abundance in these habitats.

Hepatus species are primarily known as bycatch in artisanal and industrial shrimp trawl fisheries. Hepatus pudibundus is commonly taken in shrimp trawls along the Brazilian coast and discarded or used locally for consumption. No commercial fishery targets Hepatus specifically. The genus has no known aquarium trade value.

• CalappaCalappa is the most closely related and morphologically similar genus within Aethridae, sharing the box-like carapace form. Hepatus differs in carapace proportions, having a more rounded outline and different anterolateral tooth arrangement.
• AethraAnother aethrid genus with box-like carapace, but Aethra species are generally smaller with more pronounced carapace sculpturing and different cheliped proportions.

• BugGuide
• Wikipedia
• iNaturalist taxon
• NCBI Taxonomy
• Catalogue of Life
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