First in situ observations of the consumption of brittle stars by the rare shrimp Phyllognathia simplex Fujino, 1973 in Indonesia and its possible presence in the western Atlantic (Decapoda, Palaemonidae)

The first evidence of the predation of brittle stars, Ophiothela sp. (Ophiotrichidae), by the palaemonid shrimp Phyllognathia simplex Fujino, 1973 (Palaemonidae), is presented based on a single observation accompanied by in situ photographs taken while scuba diving in Bali, Indonesia, also being the first ever observation of the feeding behaviour in this uncommon shrimp species. In addition, in situ photographs of three ovigerous females tentatatively identified as P. cf. simplex from southern Florida, U.S.A., suggest that P. simplex or a closely related species may be present in the western Atlantic. This is the first photographic evidence of the presence of the genus Phyllognathia Borradaile, 1915 in this part of the world.