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Vol. 54, 2015
Description of a new genus and new species of freshwater crab (Brachyura: Gecarcinucidae) from the Western Ghats, Kerala, India
Sameer Kumar Pati1* and Arath Raghavan Sudha Devi2
1Zoological
Survey of India, Western Regional Centre, Vidyanagar, Sector 29,
P.C.N.T. Post, Akurdi, Pune 411 044, Maharashtra, India
2Department of Zoology and Research Centre, Mary Matha Arts and Science College, Vemom P.O., Mananthavady 670 645, Kerala, India
Abstract
Background: Freshwater
crabs of the Western Ghats have been severely underestimated in their
diversity. Since freshwater crabs have a small spatial scale endemism,
many remote and poorly studied localities in the Western Ghats need to
be surveyed. In this study, a new genus and new species is described.
Results: Arcithelphusa cochleariformis
gen. et sp. nov. is described from Ondayangadi, Wayanad district,
Kerala, India. The new genus and new species is exceptional among
Indian freshwater crabs due to its squarish, highly arched carapace,
appearing box-like in frontal view, and long, stout, spoon-shaped male
first gonopod.
Conclusions: With
the current discovery, 14 genera and 36 species of gecarcinucid
freshwater crabs are recognized in the Western Ghats of India. More new
taxa can be expected from this exceptionally biodiversity-rich area if
the necessary surveys are done.
Key words: Crustacea; Decapoda; Gecarcinucidae; Freshwater crab; Taxonomy; Ecology; New genus; New species; Western Ghats; India.
*Correspondence: E-mail: pdellape@fcnym.unlp.edu.ar
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