First records of the rare shrimp family Disciadidae from Chinese waters with description of a new species

Abstract

A new species of Disciadidae Rathbun, 1902, representing the first recorded observation of this caridean family from the South China Sea, is here described and illustrated from nearshore waters off Jinqing Island, in the Xisha Islands. The new species, Discias nanhaiensis sp. nov., is likely associated with a calcareous sponge species, Leucaltis sp. It is characterized by a lanceolate rostrum with serrated margins, a dorsomedial posterior tooth on the second pleomere, an unarticulated mandibular palp, non-serrate lateral margin of the uropodal exopod, and distal margin of telson with four pairs of spines, and these combined features may distinguish the new species from its congeners. An identification key to all Discias species is provided. http://urn:lsid:zoobank.org:pub:0645B1F0-C9E4-4F30-8593-2C062CBC988B