Lysmata Hochi N. Sp., a New Hermaphroditic Shrimp from the Southwestern Caribbean Sea (Caridea: Hippolytidae).

Abstract

Abstract Lysmata hochi n. sp., a new peppermint shrimp, is described from Bocas del Toro, Caribbean coast of Panama. All individuals were collected on near-shore fossil coral terraces with deep channels and caves, sparsely covered with seagrass. Besides the type locality, L. hochi n. sp. also occurs in Cahuita, Costa Rica, in a similar type of habitat. The new species can be distinguished from other species of Lysmata by the presence of an unguis-shaped accessory branch on the lateral antennular flagellum; the rostrum with three dorsal teeth, followed by two mid-dorsal teeth on the carapace posterior to the orbital margin; the number of carpal segments of the second pereiopod ranging from 21 to 24; the presence of two to four ventrolateral spines on the merus of the third pereiopod; the dactylus of the third to fifth pereiopod bearing two spines in addition to a bifurcated inguis; and the conspicuous color pattern, especially the irregular bright red bands on the pleon. Based on morphology and (where know...