Abstract
Evidence-based information is the foundation for addressing urgent global challenges in conservation and sustainable management of the freshwater biodiversity. The present study expands current knowledge of the genus Macrobrachium in Zaomu Mountain Forest Park, Guangdong Province based on the morphology, colouration, distribution, and molecular characteristics of Macrobrachiummaculatum, M.inflatum, M.nipponense, and an undescribed new species, M.laevis. Macrobrachiumlaevissp. nov. can be distinguished from its congeners by a combination of characters, which includes the shape of rostrum, smooth carapace, and male second pereiopod. Macrobrachiumlaevissp. nov. displays striking colour pattern, which could help to distinguish this species from other congeneric species in living specimen. Furthermore, the molecular characteristics of mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase subunit I (COI) showed that this species has a sufficient interspecific divergence from its congeners.
Highlights
The genus Macrobrachium Spence Bate, 1868 comprises 242 species and subspecies inhabiting fresh to brackish environments (De Grave and Fransen 2011)
Macrobrachium laevis sp. nov. can be distinguished from M. maculatum by the smooth second pereiopod whose margin of the palm has scattered microspinules; the second tooth of the movable finger placed on the proximal one-quarter; the lack of papillae along the cutting edges; the finger slightly longer than the merus; the wider scaphocerite (2.4–2.6 times as long as wide); and ovigerous females carrying smaller eggs (1.1–1.4 × 1.5–1.8 mm)
Macrobrachium laevis sp. nov. superficially resembles M. inflatum Liang & Yan, 1985; Macrobrachium laevis sp. nov. can be distinguished from M. inflatum by its shorter rostrum with fewer dorsal teeth and reaching beyond the end of the third antennular peduncle segment, with 8–12 dorsal teeth; the palm of male second pereiopod being not inflated and 4.8–5.3 times as long as wide; the finger distinctly longer than merus; the ischium shorter than the merus; and the ovigerous females bearing larger-sized eggs (1.1–1.4 × 1.5–1.8 mm)
Summary
The genus Macrobrachium Spence Bate, 1868 comprises 242 species and subspecies inhabiting fresh to brackish environments (De Grave and Fransen 2011).
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