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| Geosesarma bunian Ng, Khadijah-Ahmad & Ahmad, 2025 RAFFLES BULLETIN OF ZOOLOGY . 73; |
Abstract
Geosesarma bunian, new species, is described from Gunung Jerai in the northern Malaysian state of Kedah. Collected from over 1,100 m above sea level, the species is a member of the G. foxi (Kemp, 1918) species group, and is the fifth species known. Morphologically, G. bunian is closest to G. faustum Ng, 2017 from Penang, but the species can be distinguished by characters of the male first gonopod, male chelae and live coloration.
Key words. taxonomy, Kedah, Peninsular Malaysia, Gunung Jerai, comparative morphology, Southeast Asia
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| Geosesarma bunian, new species. Colour in life. A, C, holotype male (10.1 × 10.1 mm) (ZRC 2024.0558), Kedah; B, D, paratype female (10.1 × 9.9 mm) (ZRC 2024.0559), Kedah. |
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| Geosesarma bunian, new species. Holotype male (10.1 × 10.1 mm) (ZRC 2024.0558), Kedah. A, frontal view of cephalothorax; B, dorsal view of right cheliped; C, outer view of left chela; D, dorsal view of left chela; E, buccal cavity, anterior thoracic sternum and pleon; F, male pleonal somites 3–6 and telson (setae denuded). |
Family Sesarmidae Dana, 1851
Genus Geosesarma De Man, 1892
Type species. Sesarma (Geosesarma) nodulifera De Man, 1892,
subsequent designation by Serène & Soh (1970).
Geosesarma bunian, new species
Diagnosis. Carapace quadrate, as wide as long, adult width to length ratio ca. 1.0, lateral margins parallel (Figs. 2, 4A, B); dorsal surface with regions just visible, anterior regions with small, low rounded granules on gastric regions (Figs. 2C, D, 4A, B); front distinctly deflexed, 2 frontal lobes broad with almost straight margins in dorsal view; postfrontal, postorbital cristae sharp, distinct (Figs. 2C, D, 3A, 4A, B); external orbital tooth (= first lateral tooth) triangular, directed obliquely laterally, outer margin gently convex to almost straight, tip extending just beyond lateral margin; second lateral tooth low, distinct, separated from rest of margin by cleft (Figs. 2C, D, 4A, B). Merus of third maxilliped subovate, shorter than ischium; exopod slender ...
Etymology. The name is derived from a Malay term used to describe the “hidden people” of the forest or Orang Bunian. They are often described as beautifully dressed forest denizens. The name, bunian, here used as a Latin noun in apposition, alludes to the beautiful colours of the new species as well as it escaping scientific attention until now.
Peter K. L. NG, S. KHADIJAH-AHMAD and Amirrudin B. AHMAD. 2025. On A New Species of Vampire Crab from the Geosesarma foxi species-group (Crustacea: Brachyura: Sesarmidae) in northern Peninsular Malaysia. RAFFLES BULLETIN OF ZOOLOGY . 73; 162–168.
