[:pt]The Neotropical biogeographic realm, from Mexico to the southern regions of the South American temperate zone,
where crustaceans are prominently diverse, is perhaps best known for the ecological importance and unique nature of
its freshwater and terrestrial biota. The marine portion of this region, however, is also known for its high crustacean
diversity, and often intriguing biogeographical and evolutionary characteristics.

Neotropical crustaceans (Extant and fossils) have been the focus of numerous studies during the past few decades,
and as result a large albeit scattered body of knowledge exists on these arthropods. Studies have dealt with aspects of
their taxonomy, systematics, biology, conservation, ecology, biogeography, and phylogeny, among other many topics.
Both benthic and planktonic ecological zones have been investigated. A good number of regional catalogues or broad
monographs of various groups have been produced. Furthermore, the study of the Neotropics has benefitted greatly in
recent times by the advent of molecular biology and application of powerful modern techniques to study and analyze
the genetic basis for the development of new adaptations, and thereby understand the evolutionary patterns and
processes that drive the diversification of crustaceans in this vast and ecologically fragile region of the New World.

While perhaps the best known studies of Neotropical
crustaceans have discussed decapods, in particular the
remarkably speciose freshwater shrimp, crabs, crayfish, and
famously endemic squat lobsters of the family Aeglidae, many
other studies have addressed equally critical, diverse, and
ecologically important groups such as anostracans,
cladocerans, copepods, branchiopods, and peracarids, to
name a few. Several remarkable findings of crustacean fossils
have also revealed origins and affinities of Neotropical
crustaceans.

In order to bring together researchers that are interested
in presenting reviews, updates or any new investigations on
crustaceans from the entire Neotropical region, as well as to
discuss future research directions, a symposium is proposed
for ICC9. Carcinologists of all biology fields are invited to
participate in this symposium by preparing papers that
emphasize, but not necessarily are limited to, the following: 1)
overalls reviews of the NEOTROPICS state of knowledge
(taxonomy, biogeography, phylogeny, biology, etc.) of major
or particular subgroups; 2) phylogenetic studies of any scope
(morphological and/or molecular-based), of the entire
Neotropics or any Neotropical subregion, particularly if they
shed light on origin and diversification of the group studied; 3)
biology, ecology, conservation, and effects of global change;
4) genomics; 5) evolutionary perspectives based on fossil
discoveries; and 6) importance and state of Neotropical
collections in the countries that cover the Neotropics.

Meetings during ICC9 will be held at the Smithsonian Institution Museum of Natural History (day 1), and at the
Renaissance Hotel (days 2–4) which will also serve as the primary lodging site. The symposium length and possible
publication of proceedings in a peer-review journal will be evaluated depending on interest and participation.
Participants may choose to contribute with only a presentation (oral or poster), and/or a manuscript if proceedings are
published.

For expressions of interest or questions regarding ICC9 organization, contact: Dr. Rafael Lemaitre, Smithsonian
Institution, National Museum of Natural History, email: lemaitrr@si.edu); and Dr. Marcos Tavares, Museu de Zoologia,
Universidade de São Paulo, Email: mdst@usp.br). For general information about ICC9, please visit:
http://www.birenheide.com/ICC2018/index.php[:]