[Crustacea • 2026] Alpheus madhusoodanai • A New Species of Mangrove associated Snapping Shrimp of Genus Alpheus Fabricius, 1798 (Decapoda: Caridea: Alpheidae) from southwest coast of India

Alpheus madhusoodanai  

Vishnu, Deepak, Nidhin, Krishna & Harikrishnan, 2026 

DOI: doi.org/10.1017/S0025315426101052

 

Abstract

The present account describes a new species of alpheid shrimp, Alpheus madhusoodanai sp. nov., belonging to the brevirostris group, collected from the Cochin estuary, the south west coast of India. This represents the first species of alpheid shrimps described from the estuary. The morphological and molecular characteristics of the new species are compared with those of its closely related congeners. The newly described species is separated from its morphological congener A. rapax, by its wider major chela and longer merus of the first cheliped. Molecular data also confirmed the delimitation of A. rapax with A. madhusoodanai sp. nov. Habitat and distribution details are also discussed, highlighting the potential for further taxonomic exploration in the Cochin estuary and the importance in uncovering its hidden biodiversity.

Keywords: alpheid shrimp, estuary, integrative taxonomy, new species, south east Arabian Sea

Alpheus madhusoodanai sp. nov. Colour pattern, male, non-type, recently deceased (Cl- 10.9 mm, SIF/HK/CR/25/122), Cochin estuary, Kochi, Kerala, India.

 Alpheus madhusoodanai sp. nov.

Etymology: The new species is named after Dr. B. Madhusoodhana Kurup, for his significant contributions to fish biodiversity, fisheries taxonomy and ecology, and sustainable management of fisheries resources in the state of Kerala, south India.

Kaimakulangara Vishnu, Jose Deepak, Balachandran Nidhin, Unnikrishnan Abhai Krishna, Mahadevan Harikrishnan. 2026. Alpheus madhusoodanai sp. nov.: A New Species of Mangrove associated Snapping Shrimp of Genus Alpheus Fabricius, 1798 (Decapoda: Caridea: Alpheidae) from southwest coast of India. Journal of the Marine Biological Association of the United Kingdom. 106; e12. DOI: doi.org/10.1017/S0025315426101052 [26 January 2026]

 

[Crustacea • 2026] Leiogalathea samudragiri • A New deep-sea munidopsid squat lobster of the Genus Leiogalathea Baba, 1969 (Decapoda: Anomura: Munidopsidae) from the southeastern Arabian Sea, India

  

Leiogalathea samudragiri  

Tiwari, Padate & Cubelio, 2026

DOI: doi.org/10.1007/s44289-026-00117-5

Abstract

The present study describes a new species of the deep-water munidopsid squat lobster genus Leiogalathea Baba, 1969. Leiogalathea samudragiri sp. nov. resembles L. achates Rodríguez-Flores, Macpherson & Machordom, 2019, L. evander Rodríguez-Flores, Macpherson & Machordom, 2019, and L. laevirostris (Balss, 1913) by the unarmed hepatic margin of the carapace. However, the new species differs from these congeners mainly in having uninterrupted mesogastric and mid-transverse ridges on the carapace and the presence of six transverse ridges on the posterior half of the carapace.

 

Keywords: Anomura, Arabian Sea, New species, Seamount, Taxonomy

Leiogalathea samudragiri sp. nov. Holotype, ovigerous female (IO/SS/ANO/00195; PCL 4.8 mm, CW 3.7 mm).
a carapace, dorsal view, b thoracic sternum, ventral view, c left eye, antennular article 1 and antennal peduncle, ventral view, d left mxp3, lateral view, e right P1, dorsal view, f right P2, lateral view, g right P2 dactylus, lateral view, h right P3, lateral view, i right P4, lateral view

Leiogalathea samudragiri sp. nov. Holotype, ovigerous female (IO/SS/ANO/00195; PCL 4.8 mm, CW 3.7 mm). Dorsal habitus

Leiogalathea samudragiri sp. nov.  

 

 Etymology: The species name is derived from a combination of the Sanskrit “samudra” meaning ocean, and “giri” meaning mountain, which refers to the seamount habitat of this species.

Shivam Tiwari, Vinay P. Padate and Sherine Sonia Cubelio. 2026. A New deep-sea munidopsid squat lobster of the Genus Leiogalathea Baba, 1969 (Decapoda: Anomura) from the southeastern Arabian Sea, India.  Discover Oceans. 3, 6. DOI: doi.org/10.1007/s44289-026-00117-5 [04 February 2026]

[Mollusca • 2025] Taningia silasii • A New Species of Deep-sea Squid Genus Taningia (Cephalopoda: Octopoteuthidae) from the Arabian Sea

Taningia silasii Sajikumar & Sasikumar,

in Sajikumar, Sasikumar, Ameri et Thomas, 2025. 

DOI: doi.org/10.1007/s12526-025-01576-3

Abstract

A new species of the genus Taningia Joubin, 1931 (family Octopoteuthidae Berry, 1912), is described from the southeastern Arabian Sea, based on a single specimen collected in March 2024 at a depth of 390 m. This new species, Taningia silasii sp. nov., differs from congeners in a combination of traits, including the shape of the funnel-mantle locking cartilage, nuchal-locking cartilage, lower beak morphology, gill lamellae count, and distinct genetic divergence as revealed by phylogenetic analysis of mitochondrial COI and 16S rRNA genes, with uncorrected p-distances of 11.8–12.1% (COI) and 4.3–4.5% (16S rRNA) from T. danae. Phylogenetic trees clearly separate Taningia silasii sp. nov. from Atlantic Ocean lineages of T. danae, supporting its recognition as a distinct species. The genus Taningia appears to represent a species complex, comprising the newly described Indian Ocean lineage and at least two distinct lineages from the Atlantic Ocean. These findings, based on integrated morphological and molecular analyses, highlight hidden diversity within Taningia and expand the known biogeographic range of the genus.

Keywords: Indian octopus squid, Southeastern Arabian Sea, New species, Morphology, Molecular taxonomy

a Dorsal and b ventral view of Taningia silasii sp. nov. from the Arabian Sea,
 dotted lines showing the proportion of aborted arms; right fin (dotted line) proportion extrapolated from left fin

Octopoteuthidae Berry, 1912

Taningia Joubin, 1931

Taningia silasii sp. nov. Sajikumar and Sasikumar

Proposed common name: Indian octopus squid

Sajikumar KK, Geetha Sasikumar, Shijin Ameri and Toji Thomas. 2025.  Description of A New Species of Deep-sea Squid Genus Taningia (Cephalopoda: Octopoteuthidae) from the Arabian Sea. Marine Biodiversity. 55, 107. DOI: doi.org/10.1007/s12526-025-01576-3 [14 November 2025]

New deep-sea ‘Octopus Squid’ discovered in Arabian Sea

CMFRI scientists discover new species of a rare octopus squid; Named after eminent marine biologist Dr E. G. Silas

https://www.pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=2192497&reg=3&lang=2

[Crustacea • 2025] Alpheus sarapis • A New, conspicuously coloured Snapping Shrimp (Decapoda: Alpheidae) from the north-western Indian Ocean

 

Alpheus sarapis 

Anker, 2025 

 DOI: doi.org/10.11606/1807-0205/2025.65.008

Abstract

A new, brightly coloured and morphologically distinctive species of the alpheid genus Alpheus Fabricius, 1798 is described based on a single female specimen collected in shallow waters of Masirah Island, Oman. Alpheus sarapis sp. nov. appears to be morphologically somewhat intermediate between the A. leviusculus Dana, 1852, A. edwardsii (Audouin, 1826) and A. paracrinitus Miers, 1881 species groups, although the presence of slight sinuses on the major chela palm suggests that it may be a derived member of either of the former two groups.

Keywords: Caridea, Alpheid shrimp, New taxon, Oman, Indo-West Pacific, Marine biodiversity

Alpheus sarapis sp. nov. 

Arthur Anker. 2025. A New, conspicuously coloured Snapping Shrimp from the north-western Indian Ocean (Malacostraca: Decapoda: Alpheidae: Alpheus). Papéis Avulsos De Zoologia. 65; e202565008. DOI: doi.org/10.11606/1807-0205/2025.65.008

 x.com/PAZ_journal/status/1994362857547252095

[Ichthyology • 2025] Branchenchelys megacephala • A New Genus and Species of ilyophine eel (Anguilliformes: Synaphobranchidae: Ilyophinae) from the Arabian Sea, western Indian Ocean

Branchenchelys megacephala

Tighe & Kodeeswaran, 2025

 DOI: doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5722.4.6  

 Researchgate.net/publication/397839726 

facebook.com: Paramasivam Kodeeswaran

 

Abstract

A new genus and species of ilyophine eel, Branchenchelys megacephala, is described based on five specimens collected in the Arabian Sea, western Indian Ocean. The new genus is distinguished from all other ilyophine genera by its relatively large head with large gill openings and a very large branchial chamber with an increased number of branchiostegal rays and hypertrophied gill filaments.

Pisces, Teleostei, taxonomy, Branchenchelys megacephala

 

Kenneth A. TIGHE and Paramasivam KODEESWARAN. 2025. A New Genus and Species of ilyophine eel (Anguilliformes: Synaphobranchidae: Ilyophinae) from the Arabian Sea, western Indian Ocean. Zootaxa. 5722(4); 555-569. DOI: doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5722.4.6 [2025-11-21]

 Researchgate.net/publication/397839726_A_new_genus_and_species_of_Anguilliformes_Synaphobranchidae_from_the_Arabian_Sea_western_Indian_Ocean

facebook.com/kodyvenkat/posts/4305402499679734

[Ichthyology • 2025] Apterichtus kanniyakumari • A New Species of finless Snake Eel (Anguilliformes: Ophichthidae) from the Arabian Sea

Apterichtus kanniyakumari 

Rasheeq, Kodeeswaran, Kathirvelpandian & Kumar, 2025 

DOI: doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5696.2.5 

 

Abstract

Apterichtus kanniyakumari sp. nov., a new species of finless snake eel, is described based on two specimens collected from deep-sea trawl landings at the Colachel fish landing centre from the southwest coast of India. The new species is distinguished from its congeners by the following characteristics: head length 9.6–9.7% TL, tail length 1.8–1.9% TL, and body depth at gill openings 42.1–54.8% TL; 3 preopercular and 9 supratemporal pores, conical uniserial teeth on jaws and vomer; distinct golden-yellow body coloration, ventral side of head pale white with yellow lines along lower jaw, and three black blotches, one behind eyes followed by one in rictus and other behind origin of rictus and mean vertebral formula: 52-131. Molecular analyses based on mitochondrial CO1 gene exhibits that this new species forms distinct clade with its sympatric species Apetrichtus nanjilnaduensis.

Pisces, Taxonomy, deep-sea, western India, molecular analyses, sympatric species

Apterichtus kanniyakumari sp. nov.

Ahamed RASHEEQ, Paramasivam KODEESWARAN, Ayyathurai KATHIRVELPANDIAN and T. T. Ajith KUMAR. 2025. Apterichtus kanniyakumari, A New Species of finless Snake Eel (Anguilliformes: Ophichthidae) from the Arabian Sea. Zootaxa. 5696(2); 260-268. DOI: doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5696.2.5  [2025-09-24]

[Crustacea • 2020] Alpheus samudra • A New Species of Alpheus (Decapoda: Alpheidae) from the Arabian Sea, Kerala, India

 

Alpheus samudra 

De Grave, Krishnan, Kumar & Christodoulou, 2020

DOI: doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.4750.2.11  

  Researchgate.net/publication/339842454

Abstract

A new species of Alpheus, A. samudra nov. sp., is described from the bycatch of trawlers operating between 275–375 m depth on the Quilon Bank (Kerala, India). The new species belongs to the brevirostris group, but can be easily distinguished from all but one species, by the extremely laterally compressed major cheliped. Alpheus samudra nov. sp. is very similar to A. leptocheles Banner & Banner, 1975 in the form of the major cheliped, but the proportions of the fingers to the palm and the shape of the fingers easily separate both species.

Crustacea, Decapoda, Alpheidae, Alpheus, new species, India

Alpheus samudra nov. sp. Colour pattern, male, non-type, recently deceased (cl 13.0 mm), Neendakara fishing port, Kollam, Kerala (photo A.B. Kumar).

Alpheus samudra nov. sp.

Sammy DE GRAVE, Apsara S. KRISHNAN, Anil KUMAR K. P. and Magdalini CHRISTODOULOU. 2020. A New Species of Alpheus (Crustacea, Decapoda, Alpheidae) from the Arabian Sea, Kerala, India. Zootaxa. 4750(2); 277–285. DOI: doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.4750.2.11 [2020-03-11] 

 Researchgate.net/publication/339842454_A_new_species_of_Alpheus_from_the_Arabian_Sea_Kerala_India

[Crustacea • 2024] Phalangipus somnathensis • A New Species of Spider Crab from India, Arabian Sea, with A Key to the Species of Phalangipus Latreille, 1828 (Decapoda: Brachyura: Epialtidae)

Phalangipus somnathensis

Sureandiran, Karuppasamy & Suyani, 2024

DOI: doi.org/10.1163/15685403-bja10423

Abstract

A new species of spider crab is described based on a single specimen collected from the Veraval fishing harbour, Gujarat, north-west coast of India, Arabian Sea. Globally nine species of spider crabs were reported of which four, Phalangipus filiformis, P. hystrix, P. indicus and P. longipes were documented from Indian waters. The new species, P. somnathensis sp. nov. differs from most species of the genus, based on the presence of blunt spines over the lateral & dorsal margin of the carapace, by the intestinal region being produced into a sharp spine, and by possessing a unique shape of male pleopod, i.e., branched into two lobes distally. The newly discovered species is compared with its congeners.

Keywords: Epialtidae; Gujarat; new discovery; Phalangipus somnathensis sp. nov.; pleopod;

 B. Sureandiran, K. Karuppasamy and N. K. Suyani. 2024. Phalangipus somnathensis sp. nov. (Decapoda, Brachyura, Epialtidae) A New Species of Spider Crab from India, Arabian Sea, with A Key to the Species of Phalangipus Latreille, 1828.  Crustaceana.  97(10-11); 1373–1381. DOI: doi.org/10.1163/15685403-bja10423

  facebook.com/SteptoFisheries/posts/939258228229258

[Ichthyology • 2022] Ariosoma albimaculata • A New Congrid Eel (Anguilliformes: Congridae) from the southwest Coast of India, Arabian Sea

Ariosoma albimaculata 

Kodeeswaran, Dhas, Kumar & Lal, 2022

DOI: 10.1007/s10228-022-00882-1

Abstract

Ariosoma albimaculata sp. nov. is described herein based on ten specimens [240–487 mm total length (TL)] collected from the deep-sea trawl landings at Colachel fishing harbour, off Kanyakumari, Arabian Sea, west coast of India. The new species is easily distinguished from all other congeners reported earlier, except its sympatric species, Ariosoma maurostigma Kodeeswaran, Mohapatra, Dhinakaran, Kumar and Lal 2022, having dark mark or streak present in the posterior-dorsal margin of eye orbit, but it readily differs from A. maurostigma with the presence of more total vertebrae (161–164 vs. 136–142 in A. maurostigma); more preanal vertebrae (66–68 vs. 47–51); occurrence of white spot or dot on just before the dorsal-fin origin (vs. absent in A. maurostigma); larger preanal length (49.7–55.7% TL vs. 44.0–48.8% TL); larger trunk length (30.4–33.3% TL vs. 23.5–30.2% TL); shorter tail length (44.6–48.2% TL vs. 47.8–54.6% TL). Further, A. albimaculata differs from its sister taxon A. maurostigma with a divergence of 8.1% and other congeners with the genetic distance of 15.0–28.8% in partial mitochondrial COI gene.

Keywords: Bathymyrinae, Arabian Sea, Systematics, New eel

Ariosoma albimaculata sp. nov., NBFGR/CONAALB, holotype, 487 mm TL,
mature female, fresh colouration

Ariosoma albimaculata sp. nov.

(New English name: White spotted stout conger)

Distribution. Indian Ocean: Off Kanyakumari, Arabian Sea.

Etymology. The species epithet “albimaculata” is derived from two Latin words albus = white and maculatus = spotted, denotes a white spot present on the dorsal-fin origin.

Paramasivam Kodeeswaran, Deepa Dhas, Thipramalai Thangappan Pillai Ajith Kumar and Kuldeep Kumar Lal. 2022. Description of A New Congrid Eel, Ariosoma albimaculata sp. nov. (Anguilliformes: Congridae), from the southwest coast of India, Arabian Sea. Ichthyological Research. DOI: 10.1007/s10228-022-00882-1 [06 July 2022]

[Ichthyology • 2022] Aetomylaeus wafickii • Resolution of the Aetomylaeus nichofii Species Complex (Myliobatiformes: Myliobatidae), with the Description of A New Eagle Ray Species from the northwest Indian Ocean and A Key to the Genus Aetomylaeus

Aetomylaeus wafickii

Jabado, Ebert & Al Dhaheri, 2022

Wafic’s Eagle Ray | لخمت وفيق   ||  DOI: 10.1007/s12526-021-01234-4

Abstract

 In recent years, the eagle ray family Myliobatidae has undergone major taxonomic revisions due to molecular and morphological findings. A new species of eagle ray, Aetomylaeus wafickii sp. nov., is described based on specimens collected from the Arabian Gulf, Northwest Indian Ocean. The new species externally most closely resembles A. caeruleofasciatus White, Last, & Baje, 2015 in White et al. 2016 and A. nichofii (Bloch & Schneider, 1801). It can be distinguished from these species by a combination of morphological and meristic characteristics including a higher number of transverse pale bluish to light grey bands on its dorsal surface (8–10 in Aetomylaeus wafickii sp. nov. vs 5–8 in A. caeruleofasciatus and A. nichofii), a higher number of tooth plate rows (13–15 vs 7), a shorter upper tooth plate width (3.1–4.3 vs 4.6–7.5%DW), and a shorter tail ((0.9–1.6) vs (1.4–1.8)) times disc width. Pelvic fin radial counts separate the new species from A. nichofii for males (14–16 vs 16–19) and females (16–19 vs 20–21). Geographically, it occurs from the southern Red Sea, eastwards to the Arabian Sea, and south to Sri Lanka, including in the Arabian Gulf. It appears to be frequently caught as bycatch in gillnets due to its habit of schooling, and is considered particularly susceptible to impacts from regional fisheries. Morphological and meristic findings complement prior molecular evidence documenting three species within the A. nichofii complex. A key to the genus Aetomylaeus is provided for the first time.

Keywords: Chondrichthyes, Elasmobranch, Batoid, United Arab Emirates, Arabian Gulf, New species

Aetomylaeus wafickii, sp. nov. 

Wafic’s Eagle Ray 

(Arabic name: Lukhmat Wafic – لخمت وفيق).

Etymology: The new species is named after Wafic Jabado, father of author Rima Jabado in recognition of his support for her work and the occasion of his 73rd birthday. The proposed common name is Wafic’s Eagle Ray.

 

Rima W. Jabado, David A. Ebert and Shaikha S. Al Dhaheri. 2022. Resolution of the Aetomylaeus nichofii Species Complex, with the Description of A New Eagle Ray Species from the northwest Indian Ocean and A Key to the Genus Aetomylaeus (Myliobatiformes: Myliobatidae). Marine Biodiversity. 52; 15. DOI: 10.1007/s12526-021-01234-4

Researchgate.net/publication/358537943_Resolution_of_the_Aetomylaeus_nichofii_species_complex 

  https://dubaigazette.com/ead-2/ 

[Crustacea • 2022] Actinimenes koyas • A New Species of the Genus Actinimenes Ďuriš & Horká, 2017 (Decapoda: Palaemonidae) from the Arabian Sea, Lakshadweep Islands, India

 Actinimenes koyas 

Paramasivam, Dhinakaran, Kumar & Lal, 2022

DOI: 10.1590/2358-2936e2022008 

 facebook.com/JournalNauplius

Abstract

A new species, Actinimenes koyas sp. nov. (Decapoda: Palaemonidae) was collected at a depth of 1.0-2.0 m from the coral atoll of Agatti Island, Lakshadweep, Arabian Sea. The species was associated with the sea anemone, Heteractis magnifica (Quoy and Gaimard, 1833). It is the second representative of the genus Actinimenes Ďuriš and Horká, 2017 described from the Arabian Sea. Actinimenes koyas sp. nov. is closely related to A. ornatellus in terms of morphological traits. Actinimenes koyas sp. nov. is distinguished from Actinimenes ornatellus (Bruce, 1979) by the presence of a biramous outer antennular flagellum with three proximal segments fused, a shorter free ramus consisting of 7 to 8 segments with 12-14 groups of aesthetascs, a fourth thoracic sternite with V-shaped median incision and features of the telson and third maxilliped. The present new species is easily distinguished from the other three described species in the genus Actinimenes by the structural variation in the fourth sternal plate with a median notch. Additionally, a phylogenetic analysis inferred by Maximum Likelihood using the mitochondrial genes COI and 16S rRNA shows a close relationship of Actinimenes koyas sp. nov. with Actinimenes inornatus (Kemp, 1922). Pairwise genetic distances estimated using the COI and 16S data provided divergences between A. koyas sp. nov. and other congeneric species.

Keywords: Actinimenes koyas sp. nov.; anemone associated fauna; Arabian Sea; Lakshadweep; morphology; phylogenetic tree

SYSTEMATICS

Order Decapoda Latreille, 1802

Infraorder Caridea Dana, 1852

Superfamily Palaemonoidea Rafinesque, 1815

Family Palaemonidae Rafinesque, 1815

Genus Actinimenes Ďuriš and Horká, 2017

 Actinimenes koyas sp. nov. from Agatti island, India.
(a) Holotype: ovigerous female (CL 3.5 mm, NBFGR/PALAKOY─01);
(b) paratype, male (CL 3.2 mm, NBFGR: DBTLDA62, Ethanol preserved).

Collection site, assemblages of Heteractis magnifica at Agatti Island, Lakshadweep, India
with live coloration of Actinimenes koyas sp. nov. (Depth 1-2 m).

Actinimenes koyas sp. nov.

Etymology. Koyas are an important ethnic community of Lakshadweep. Koyas have made a significant contribution to the development and preservation of the heritage of the society at Lakshadweep. The present species is named “Koyas” to honor the local community at Lakshadweep.

 

Map showing (a-d) location of Agatti Island, Lakshadweep, India, the type locality of  Actinimenes koyas sp. nov.

CONCLUSION: 

A new symbiotic species from the palaemonid shrimp genus Actinimenes is described and illustrated from Lakshadweep, India. Actinimenes koyas sp. nov. was obtained from the magnificent sea anemone Heteractis magnifica (Actiniaria). Sea anemone-associated species of the genus Actinimenes are widely distributed in the tropical regions of the Indo-West Pacific, and A. koyas sp. nov. is reported for the first time from the Arabian Sea. Additionally, molecular information from mitochondrial markers (COI and 16S) are provided and the ML tree suggests that A. koyas sp. nov. is sister to a clade of A. inornatus.

 

Purushothaman Paramasivam, A. Dhinakaran, T. T. Ajith Kumar and Kuldeep K. Lal. 2022. A New Species of the Genus Actinimenes Ďuriš and Horká, 2017 (Crustacea: Decapoda: Palaemonidae) from the Arabian Sea, Lakshadweep Islands, India.  Nauplius. 30. DOI: 10.1590/2358-2936e2022008  

 facebook.com/JournalNauplius/posts/4992736977429637

   

[Crustacea • 2020] Neolithodes indicus • A New Species of Deep-water King-crab (Decapoda: Anomura) from the southeastern Arabian Sea

 

Neolithodes indicus

Padate, Cubelio & Takeda, 2020

 DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4845.1.5

Abstract

A new species of the deep-water king-crab genus Neolithodes A. Milne-Edwards & Bouvier, 1894 (Anomura: Lithodidae) is described herein from the southeastern Arabian Sea (1064–1338 m depth). Neolithodes indicus sp. nov. shows morphological proximity with three congeneric species, N. brodiei Dawson & Yaldwyn, 1970, N. flindersi Ahyong, 2010a and N. nipponensis Sakai, 1971 in bearing less numerous secondary spines on the carapace, the dactylus of the chelipeds with a convex dorsal margin and dorsoventrally compressed meri of the pereopods 2–4. The new species can be easily distinguished from these congeners in possessing the less densely spinulose carapace and appendages, short rostrum, simple antennal scaphocerite, the absence of large spines on the flexor margins of the pereopods 2–3 meri, and a stouter pereopod 4 propodus.

Keywords: Crustacea, Lithodidae, Neolithodes, taxonomy, India

Vinay P. Padate, Sherine Sonia Cubelio and Masatsune Takeda. 2020. Description of A New Species of Deep-water King-crab (Crustacea: Decapoda: Anomura) from the southeastern Arabian Sea. Zootaxa. 4845(1); 71–82.  DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4845.1.5

[Crustacea • 2020] Renocila bijui • A New Species of Renocila Miers, 1880 (Isopoda: Cymothoidae), A Fish Parasitic Isopod from Andaman Island, India

Renocila bijui 

Aneesh, Bruce, Nashad, Bineesh & Hatha, 2020

 DOI: 10.1080/17451000.2020.1761028 

  twitter.com/bineesh73371715

ABSTRACT

Renocila bijui sp. nov., parasitizing the coral reef fish Acanthurus triostegus (Linnaeus, 1758) from Andaman Island, India is described and illustrated. Renocila bijui sp. nov., the first definitive record of the genus from India, is characterized by: rectangular body; truncate frons without a ventral posteriorly directed rostrum; antenna longer and narrower than antennula; pereonite 7 posterolateral angle acute, pleon is 0.8 width of pereon; pleotelson broadly truncate, with prominent median longitudinal carina; pereopods 1–3 each with produced process on the posterodistal angle of basis, gradually increasing the length from 1–3; and pereopods 1–3 inferior margins of articles all without a process or lobe, though ischium carinate. A key to the 17 world species of Renocila is provided. Renocila limbata (Schioedte & Meinert, 1884) and R. periophthalma Stebbing, 1900 are not included since both species lack the description for the adult female.

KEYWORDS: Renocila, Indian Ocean, fish parasite, Cymothoidae, Indian exclusive economic zone

Renocila bijui sp. nov.

Panakkool Thamban Aneesh, Niel L. Bruce, Musaliyarakam Nashad, Kinattumkara Bineesh and Abdulla A. Mohamed Hatha. 2020. A New Species of Renocila Miers, 1880 (Crustacea: Isopoda: Cymothoidae), A Fish Parasitic Isopod from Andaman Island, India. Marine Biology Research.  DOI: 10.1080/17451000.2020.1761028 

  twitter.com/bineesh73371715/status/1288509881771634688

twitter.com/keralabio/status/1288711631669727232

[Crustacea • 2020] Homolodromia rajeevani • A New Species of Deep-water Crab of the Genus Homolodromia A. Milne-Edwards, 1880 (Decapoda: Brachyura: Homolodromiidae) from the northern Indian Ocean

Homolodromia rajeevani

Padate, Cubelio & Jayachandran, 2020

DOI: 10.1080/17451000.2020.1735641 

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ABSTRACT

Homolodromia rajeevani, a new species of deep-water homolodromiid sponge crab, is described from the northern Indian Ocean (Arabian Sea, depth 957 m, and Bay of Bengal, 645 m), and is the first record of the genus from the area. This species resembles the western Indian Ocean species, namely, Homolodromia bouvieri Doflein, 1904, in having 2 terminal spines on the propodi of the last two pereopods, but can be easily distinguished from the latter species by the inflated carapace, simple long setae on carapace and appendages, slender pseudo-rostral spines separated by a U-shaped base, and a slender arched dactylus of cheliped with maximum elevation at proximal part which bears broadly circular depressions with sparse setae. The most diagnostic character is the higher number of spines on the occlusal surfaces of propodal thumbs and dactyli of the pseudochela of the last two pereopods as compared to H. bouvieri. A key for the identification of the species under the genus Homolodromia is also provided.

KEYWORDS: Homolodromia, taxonomy, new species, northern Indian Ocean, deep-water

Colour in life. Homolodromia rajeevani sp. nov., holotype male (IO/SS/BRC/00174).

Family Homolodromiidae Alcock, 1899
Genus Homolodromia A. Milne-Edwards, 1880
Homolodromia A. Milne-Edwards, 1880: 32.

Type species: Homolodromia paradoxa A. Milne-Edwards, 1880 by monotypy. 

Homolodromia rajeevani sp. nov. 

Etymology: The specific epithet rajeevani is in honour of the distinguished scientist and Secretary, Ministry of Earth Sciences, Government of India, Dr. Madhavan Nair Rajeevan who has been the guiding force in the deep-sea research programmes of CMLRE.

Vinay P. Padate, Sherine Sonia Cubelio and K. V. Jayachandran. 2020. Description of A New Species of Deep-water Crab of the Genus Homolodromia A. Milne-Edwards, 1880 from the northern Indian Ocean (Crustacea: Decapoda: Brachyura: Homolodromiidae). Marine Biology Research. DOI: 10.1080/17451000.2020.1735641 k

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[Ichthyology • 2020] Hemitrygon yemenensis • A New Species of Stingray (Myliobatoidea: Dasyatidae) from the northwestern Indian Ocean

Hemitrygon yemenensis 

 Moore, Last & Naylor, 2020

DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4819.2.8  

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Abstract

A new stingray, Hemitrygon yemenensis sp. nov., is described from old preserved material collected on the Arabian Sea coast of eastern Yemen. Consistent with other members of the genus, H. yemenensis sp. nov. is a small dasyatid (males mature at ~22 cm disc width), but it is the only Hemitrygon known to occur outside the western Pacific and eastern Indian Oceans. Hemitrygon yemenensis sp. nov. most closely resembles H. bennetti, but H. yemenensis is separable based on several characters including a longer and more narrowly pointed snout, shorter tail, and a longer disc and head. Hemitrygon yemenensis is unknown to science beyond the two type specimens collected nearly 120 years ago.

Keywords: Hemitrygon yemenensis, Dasyatidae, stingray, batoid, elasmobranch, new species, Yemen, western Indian Ocean, Myliobatoidea

 Alec B.M. Moore, Peter R. Last and Gavin J. P. Naylor. 2020. Hemitrygon yemenensis sp. nov., A New Species of Stingray (Myliobatoidea: Dasyatidae) from the northwestern Indian Ocean. Zootaxa. 4819(2); 364–374. DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4819.2.8 

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