Redescription Of Pagurus Moluccensis Haig & Ball, 1988, With Description Of A New Species Of Pagurus From Indonesia, And Taxonomic Notes On The Pagurus Anachoretus Group (Crustacea: Decapoda: Anomura: Paguridae)

Abstract

During a faunal study of the shallow coral reefs in Indonesia, two species of the hermit crab genus Pagurus, which show remarkable affinities in morphology and coloration, were recognized. One of them is the little known species, P. moluccensis Haig & Ball, 1988, which was known only by the holotype from Maluku region in Indonesia. The second is described herein as new, P. fungiformis, new species. Pagurus moluccensis is fully redescribed and illustrated in order to supplement the original description and to facilitate comparison with the new species. The strongly bispined interocular lobe immediately separates P. moluccensis and the new species from other known species of Pagurus. The new species is readily distinguished from P. moluccensis by the possession of closely set, flattened, marginally denticulate tubercles on the palms of chelae and brush-like setae on the dactylus and propodus of the left third pereopod. In P. moluccensis, the chelae are armed with small, simple or bifid tubercles on the dorsal surface; the left third pereopod lacks brush-like setae. These two species are assigned to the anachoretus group of Pagurus. Definition of this informal species group is reviewed and emended to accommodate the two species discussed in this study and P. decimbranchiae.