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| Parasesarma macaco
Li, Rahayu & Ng, 2018
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Abstract
The identity of the tree-spider crab, Parasesarma leptosoma (Hilgendorf, 1869) (family Sesarmidae), which is believed to be widely distributed in the Indo-West Pacific, is reassessed and shown to be a species-complex with nine species, seven of which are here described as new. Parasesarma leptosoma sensu stricto is now restricted to South and East Africa; and P. limbense (Rathbun, 1914) from Sulawesi, which had been regarded as a junior synonym, is here recognized as a valid species. The following species are described as new: P. gecko n. sp. from Vanuatu, Fiji, Guam and Japan; P. macaco n. sp. from Taiwan and the Philippines; P. kui n. sp. from Taiwan; P. parvulum n. sp. from the Philippines; P. gracilipes n. sp. from Indonesian Papua; P. purpureum n. sp. from Malaysia; and P. tarantula n. sp. from Sulawesi, Indonesia. The nine species of the Parasesarma leptosoma species-complex can be separated by the different shapes of their carapaces, the form of the dactylar tubercles on the male chelipeds, proportions of their ambulatory legs and the structure of the male first gonopod.
Keywords: Crustacea, Parasesarma, tree-climbing, species-complex, new species, taxonomy
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Superfamily Grapsoidea MacLeay, 1838
Family Sesarmidae Dana, 1851
Genus Parasesarma De Man, 1895
Parasesarma leptosoma (Hilgendorf, 1869)
Parasesarma limbense (Rathbun, 1914)
Parasesarma gecko n. sp.
Etymology. The specific epithet alludes to the new species’ quick movements on vertical surfaces and its tendency to autotomise its appendages when handled, as also observed in the eponymous lizard. The name is used here as a noun in apposition.
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| Parasesarma macaco n. sp. Pingtung (Paoli River), Taiwan |
Parasesarma macaco n. sp.
Etymology. Derived from the Portuguese "macaco" meaning “monkey”. It alludes to the agility of this treeclimbing species and its habit of jumping around branches. The name is used as a noun in apposition.
Parasesarma kui n. sp.
Etymology. Named for Mr. Ching-Fang Ku, a ranger in the Kenting National Park and specialist of land crab conservation. The type locality of P. kui n. sp., Kangkou River, is found in his home village of Kangkou.
Parasesarma gracilipes n. sp.
Etymology. The name is derived from the Latin "gracilis" (slender) and "pes" (legs), referring to the slender ambulatory legs of the species.
Parasesarma purpureum n. sp.
Etymology. From the Latin purpureum for “purple” with reference to the general colour of the new species.
Parasesarma parvulum n. sp.
Etymology. The name parvulum derives from the Latin word, meaning young or small, alluding to the relative small size of the present species.
Parasesarma tarantula n. sp.
Etymology. The name is from the old Italian common name for large spiders, tarantula. The use of the name here alludes to the tree-climbing habits of the new species, similar to many species of tarantula, some of which are also found in Sulawesi. Used as a noun in apposition.
Jheng-Jhang Li, Dwi Listyo Rahayu and Peter K. L. Ng. 2018. Identity of the Tree-Spider Crab, Parasesarma leptosoma (Hilgendorf, 1869) (Decapoda: Brachyura: Sesarmidae), with Descriptions of Seven New Species from the Western Pacific. Zootaxa. 4482(3); 451–490. DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4482.3.2
