As one of the largest families within the Caridea, the Alpheidae have attracted much attention for its species richness, especially on coral reefs. The Alpheidae are one of the most abundant decapods in tropical and subtropical areas, with 48 genera and more than 700 known species. The Alpheidae present a particular challenge in terms of both taxonomy and systematics as they are difficult to identify (some species vary in their growth and there are often large differences between the sexes). Traditional, morphology-based research on the Alpheidae still plays an important role in identifying species, compared with new methods, such as the short gene sequences. 

Based on more than 2000 specimens collected from the China Seas, this book describes and clearly illustrates 146 species belonging to 16 genera of the Alpheidae. It also presents the key features of every genus and every species within every genus, to enable readers to easily identify the alphid shrimps of the China Seas.

Prof. Zhongli Sha is the Head of the Office of Research and Technology at the Department Marine Organism Taxonomy and Phylogeny, Institute of Oceanology, Chinese Academy of Sciences. He is also a member of the Editorial Board for the journalZoological Systematics. As a marine biologist, his current research interests focus on taxonomy and molecular phylogeny of crustaceans, biodiversity and DNA barcodes. He has published over 30 international journal articles on these topics, and 6 monographs on the taxonomy and biodiversity of crustaceans.

Yanrong Wang is a Ph.D. student at the Key Laboratory of Zoological Systematics and Evolution, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, and holds a Masters degree from the Department Marine Organism Taxonomy and Phylogeny, Institute of Oceanology, Chinese Academy of Sciences. Her research interests focus on the taxonomy of Decapoda and Amphipoda, and she has published over 10 international journal papers..

Dongling Cui holds a Masters degree from the Department Marine Organism Taxonomy and Phylogeny, Institute of Oceanology, Chinese Academy of Sciences. Her research mainly focuses on the taxonomy of alphid shrimps, and she has published 2 jounal papers. 

Part I Introduction.- Part II Taxonomy of Alpheidae from China seas.- Chapter 1 Genus Alpheopsis Coutière., Chapter 2 Genus Alpheus Fabricius.- 1) Brevirostris Group., 2) Crinitus Group.- 3) Diadema Group.- 4) Edwardsii Group.- 5) Macrocheles Group.- 6) Obesomanus Group.- 7) Sulcatus Group.- Chapter 3 Genus Arete Stimpson.- Chapter 4 Genus Aretopsis De Man., Chapter 5 Genus Athanas Leach.- Chapter 6 Genus Automate De Man.- Chapter 7 Genus Batella Holthuis.- Chapter 8 Genus Bermudacaris Anker and Iliff.- Chapter 9 Genus Betaeus Dana.- Chapter 10 Genus Metalpheus Coutière.- Chapter 11 Genus Prionalpheus Banner& Banner.- Chapter 12 Genus Rugathanas Anker& Jeng.- Chapter 13 Genus Salmoneus Holthuis.- Chapter 14 Genus Stenalpheops Miya.- Chapter 15 Genus Synalpheus Spence Bate.- Chapter 16 Genus Thuylamea Nguyên.