First record of the deep-water xanthid crab genus, Pulcratis Ng &amp; Huang, 1997, from the Indian Ocean, with description of a new species (Crustacea: Brachyura: Xanthidae)

Jose Christopher E Mendoza,Prema Mani,Samuthirapandian Ravichandran

doi:10.1590/2358-2936e2020010

First record of the deep-water xanthid crab genus, Pulcratis Ng & Huang, 1997, from the Indian Ocean, with description of a new species (Crustacea: Brachyura: Xanthidae)

Jose Christopher E Mendoza, Prema Mani + Show 1 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.1590/2358-2936e2020010

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Journal: Nauplius	Publication Date: Jan 1, 2020
Citations: 1	License type: CC BY 4.0

Affiliation: National University of Singapore, Annamalai University

Abstract

Abstract The monotypic xanthid crab genus Pulcratis Ng and Huang, 1997, previously known only from the South China Sea, is recorded for the first time in the Indian Ocean. The new material was collected by commercial trawlers fishing off the coast of Tamil Nadu state, in southeastern India, and represents a new species, herein described. Pulcratis amabilis n. sp. is similar to the only other congener and type species, P. reticulatus Ng and Huang, 1997, in the general form and fresh coloration, but differs mainly in the outline of the carapace, and morphology of the chelipeds, and the male pleon and gonopods. The subfamilial classification of Pulcratis within Xanthidae is also discussed.

Highlights

The deep–water xanthid crab, Pulcratis reticulatus Ng and Huang, 1997, was described as a new genus and species based on material trawled off the southern coast of Taiwan
A few specimens resembling this species was brought to the attention of the first author. They had been collected by commercial trawlers operating near the Pulcratis n. sp. from eastern Indian Ocean south-eastern coast of India, in the Bay of Bengal
Material examined is deposited in the Centre of Advanced Study in Marine Biology, Annamalai University, Parangipettai, Tamil Nadu, India (CASAU); and the Zoological Reference Collection of the Lee Kong Chian Natural History Museum, National University of Singapore (ZRC)

Summary

Introduction

The deep–water xanthid crab, Pulcratis reticulatus Ng and Huang, 1997, was described as a new genus and species based on material trawled off the southern coast of Taiwan. Introduction The deep–water xanthid crab, Pulcratis reticulatus Ng and Huang, 1997, was described as a new genus and species based on material trawled off the southern coast of Taiwan.

Results

Conclusion