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| Coenobita lila Rahayu, Shih & Ng, 2016 [A, B, C] previously confused with C. cavipes Stimpson, 1858 [E] |
Abstract
A new species of land hermit crab in the genus Coenobita Latreille, 1829 (Anomura: Coenobitidae), Coenobita lila, is described from Singapore and adjacent countries. The new species has previously been confused with C. cavipes Stimpson, 1858, but they can be distinguished by the former possessing dense tubercles on the outer face of the palm of the left cheliped and the presence of a large sternal protuberance between the male fifth pereopods. Recognition of the new species is further supported by molecular data. In this study, the presence of C. cavipes in Taiwan is confirmed, and the status of C. baltzeri Neumann, 1878, is discussed.
Key words: Land hermit crab, taxonomy, Coenobita lila, new species, C. cavipes, C. baltzeri, molecular data
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| Fig. 11. A–C, Coenobita lila n. sp. A, holotype male (sl 16.7 mm) (ZRC); B, paratype ovigerous female (sl 10.8 mm) (ZRC); C, female (sl 11.8 mm) (ZRC); D–F, C. cavipes Stimpson, 1858, Houwan, Kenting, Pingtung, Taiwan (NCHUZOOL 13637). D, female (sl 13.8 mm); E, female (sl 13.5 mm); F, female (sl 14.9 mm). |
TAXONOMY
Family Coenobitidae Dana, 1851
Genus Coenobita Latreille, 1829
Coenobita lila n. sp.
(Figs. 1–3, 4A–C, 5A–C, 6A–C, 10, 11A–C)
Coenobita cavipes – Lim et al., 1994: 29, 1 un-numbered fig.; Ng & Sivasothi, 1999: 85, 1 un-numbered fig.; Ng et al., 2007: 69. (not Coenobita cavipes Stimpson, 1858).
Coenobita rugosus – Ng et al., 2007: 70, 71, 3 un-numbered figs. (not Coenobita rugosus H. Milne Edwards, 1837).
Coenobita purpureus – Ng et al., 2008: 107, 2 un-numbered figs. (not Coenobita purpureus Stimpson, 1858).
Etymology. The name is derived from the Latin “lila” for lilac or light purple, alluding to the live colour of adult individuals. The name is used as noun in apposition.
Habitat. Upper intertidal to 100 m inland from the beach, sometimes crowding in the supralittoral grass beds or under stones during the day. It is typically found in reef habitats, but may also occur at the edge of mangroves and other estuarine habitats. It is the only species of Coenobita found in Singapore thus far.
Distribution. Singapore; Malaysia; and Indonesia.
Rahayu, D. L,. H.-T. Shih and P. K. L. Ng. 2016. A New Species of Land Hermit Crab in the Genus Coenobita Latreille, 1829 from Singapore, Malaysia and Indonesia, previously confused with C. cavipes Stimpson, 1858 (Crustacea: Decapoda: Anomura: Coenobitidae).
The Raffles Bulletin of Zoology. 34 (Part II): 470–488.
The Raffles Bulletin of Zoology. 34 (Part II): 470–488.
