Hexapus bidentatus sp. nov. (Crustacea: Decapoda: Brachyura: Hexapodidae), a new species from Goa, west coast of India

Abstract

A new species of hexapodid crab, Hexapus bidentatus sp. nov. is described from Goa, west coast of India. The new species differs from its closest congener, H. estuarinus in possessing more slender chelipeds, two large basal teeth on the dactylus and two small basal teeth on the pollex of the larger cheliped, a smaller cheliped with more or less straight fingers with a triangular gap between them, and the tip of the gonopod (G1) with nine spines on the outer border. Additionally, an updated description of H. estuarinus based on an examination of the holotype and another specimen collected from Goa is provided. A comparative analysis of H. sexpes, H. estuarinus and the new species is made. A key to all the five valid species of the genus Hexapus, including the new species, is provided.

http://zoobank.org/urn:lsid:zoobank.org:pub:EBBEA81F-6D4D-4CB3-8796-7E2A578A8B03

Key words:

• Brachyura
• Hexapodidae
• Hexapus
• new species
• taxonomy

Acknowledgements

We are highly indebted to Professor Peter Ng for his kind advice and for examination of the holotype that enabled improvement in the quality of the manuscript. The constructive criticism by anonymous reviewers is highly acknowledged. We are highly obliged to Dr Jasmine Purushothaman and Dr Kandasamy Valarmathi, Scientists, ZSI, Kolkata, India for the help they provided during the examination of the type specimens. We would take this opportunity to especially thank Professors Danièle Guinot, Peter Castro and Marcos Tavares for forwarding their published paper that enabled us to improve our understanding of brachyuran morphology. The help extended by Mr V. Kulkarni, SRF, National Institute of Oceanography (CSIR), Goa in obtaining some of the rare references is gratefully acknowledged.

Funding

The first author is grateful to the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research, New Delhi for a fellowship supporting the PhD programme.

Editorial responsibility: Matz Berggren

Additional information

Funding

Funding: The first author is grateful to the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research, New Delhi for a fellowship supporting the PhD programme.