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| Alpheus cangiopalus Marin & Thịnh, 2024 |
ABSTRACT
The article describes a new species of the genus Alpheus Fabricius, 1798 (Decapoda: Caridea: Alpheidae), referring to the “Alpheus malabaricus” species complex, which is characterized by unusually long and thin fingers of minor cheliped (pereiopod I). Alpheus cangiopalus sp. n. was found to live exclusively in highly specific shallow water muddy lagoons located in deep anoxic mangrove swamps of the Cần Giờ Mangrove Biosphere Reserve in South Vietnam. Detailed morphological comparison with Alpheus malabaricus (Fabricius, 1775) and other taxa earlier synonymized with the former species are provided. The trophic position of the new species was evaluated based on analysis of δ15N/δ13C stable isotopes, and a discussion on other ecological features of the species is also represented in the article.
KEY WORDS: Crustacea, diversity, mangroves, communities, Asia, Indo-West Pacific.
Order Decapoda Latreille, 1802
Infraorder Caridea Dana, 1852
Family Alpheidae Rafinesque, 1815
Genus Alpheus Fabricius, 1798
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| Alpheus cangiopalus sp. n., habitus, showing living coloration: a — holotype ♂, ZMMU Ma-6233, lateral and dorsal views; b — paratype ♂, ZMMU Ma-6235, lateral and dorsal views. |
Alpheus cangiopalus sp. n.
ETYMOLOGY. The species name, cangiopalus, was given after Cần Giờ Mangrove Biosphere Reserve; and the habitat of the new species, “palus” (Latin.) means “swamp”. The species epithet can be translated as “living in the swamps of Can Gio”.
Ivan N. Marin and Nguyễn Văn Thịnh. 2024. A New mud-dwelling Species of the Genus Alpheus Fabricius, 1798 (Decapoda: Alpheidae) from anoxic mangrove swamps of South Vietnam. Arthropoda Selecta. 33(4); 536–548. DOI: doi.org/10.15298/arthsel.33.4.09
