First Record of Arcotheres Alcocki (Rathbun, 1909) (Crustacea: Brachyura: Pinnotheridae) from India

Abstract

Pinnotherid species Arcotheres alcocki (Rathbun 1909) is first time reported from India on the basis of female specimens obtained from shells of Perna virdis (Linnaeus, 1758) (Mytildae) collected from coastal area of Kerala state. Arcotheres alcocki was described on the basis of a female specimen obtained from unknown molluscans species collected from Burias, Philippines. Recently, a female specimen of A. alcocki recorded from Chinese water was collected from the shells Marcia sp. (Veneridae), while the female specimens examined in the present study were collected from the shells of Perna viridis (Linnaeus, 1758) (Mytildae). Arcotheres alcocki is close to A. placunicola Ng, 2018 in having subhexagonal carapace but can be distinguished from latter species on the basis morphology of two rows of spinules that are present on distoflexor margin of dactylus of fifth ambulatory leg of female. The species is so far reported from South China Sea, Peninsular Malaysia or Indonesia, Singapore and now from India.