Abstract
Three new species of freshwater Palaemonetes from Texas and Mexico are described. A key to the known North American species is given along with major taxonomic references on each species since the 1952 monograph by Holthuis. As a result of larval studies, it is concluded that the freshwater species of Palaemonetes in at least North America are of monophyletic origin separate from the marine species. These larval studies also support a close relationship to at least one of the European species. The subgenus Alaocaris Holthuis, 1949 is synonymized with the subgenus Palaemonetes Holthuis, 1949. Laboratory studies on the freshwater Palaemonetes kadiakensis Rathbun indicate an inability of this species to disperse across wide oceanic stretches. Zoogeographical distribution of the genus Macrobrachium Bate in relationship to Palaemonetes as correlated with geological data support a much earlier origin of the genus than previously recorded in the literature. Several hypotheses are considered in an effort to explain the world wide distribution of freshwater Palaemonetes. The distribution patterns of Palaemonetes and Macrobrachium appear consistent with the theory of continental drift.
Strenth, Ned Elson (1974). A review of the systematics and zoogeography of the freshwater species of Palaemonetes Heller (Crustacea, Decapoda) of North America. Doctoral dissertation, Texas A&M University. Texas A&M University. Libraries. Available electronically from
https : / /hdl .handle .net /1969 .1 /DISSERTATIONS -175994.