Galathea aegyptiaca

Dong, Chao & Li, Xinzheng, 2010, Reports of Galathea Fabricius, 1793 (Crustacea: Decapoda: Anomura: Galatheidae) from Chinese waters, with descriptions of two new species, Zootaxa 2687, pp. 1-28 : 2-3

Galathea aegyptiaca Paul’son, 1875

Galathea aegyptiaca Paul’son, 1875: 94, pl. 12, figs 1, 1a–b (type locality: Red Sea). — Baba 1977: 244; 1990: 952. — Wu et al. 1998: 88, figs 8, 12E. — Wang 2008: 749 (list). — Baba et al. 2008: 64 . — Baba et al. 2009: 107, figs 86, 87.

Galathea australiensis . — Ortmann 1892: 251, pl. 11, figs 8, 8a, 8i. — Miyake & Baba 1966: 60, figs 3–5 (not G. australiensis Stimpson, 1858 ).

Material examined. South China Sea. Guangdong Province: MBM 150328, 1 female (2.7 mm), Shudao, CN 58C-275, 2 May 1958. Hainan Island: MBM 150289, 1 male (4.0 mm), Shalao, 3–5 m, dead coral, 4 Mar.1992; MBM 150291, 1 male (3.4 mm), Shalao, Qionghai, CN 92C-293, 3– 5 m, coral, DC, 3 Apr.1992; MBM 150326, 1 ovigerous female (3.6 mm), Dadonghai, CN C583, 3 Dec.1997; MBM 150329, 1 male (3.5 mm), Dadonghai, CN CJ97C-585, 5– 9 m, 3 Dec.1997. Xisha Islands: MBM 150113, 1 female (2.1 mm), 1 ovigerous female (3.3 mm), Luohu, Lingyang coral reef, 5 m, 28 Mar.1975; MBM 150118, 1 female (2.2 mm), coral, 25 Mar.1975; MBM 150120, 1 male (4.0 mm), CN 80X- 059, May 1980; MBM 150122, 1 ovigerous female (2.8 mm), Jinqing Island, 9 May 1980; MBM 150123, 1 female (2.3 mm), 45–50 m, 4 Apr.1975; MBM 150125, 1 male (3.0 mm), Jinyin Island, 1 Feb.1976; MBM 150136, 1 male (2.9 mm), Wude Island, CN 57-P037038/039, coral, AT; MBM 150138, 2 males (2.9, 3.7 mm), Jinyin Island, CN 75-X 179, 24 May 1975; MBM 150236, 1 male (3.9 mm), Wude Island, CN 580-068, 30 Mar.1958; MBM 150327, 1 male (2.6 mm), Yongxing Island, CN 80X- 208, 11–13 Jul.1980; MBM 150347, 1 male (2.6 mm), 1 ovigerous female (3.3 mm), Jinqing Island, CN 80X- 129, 19 May 1980; MBM 150355, 17 males (2.7–4.5 mm), 4 females (2.2–3.9 mm), 5 ovigerous females (3.1–4.1 mm), CN 80X- 144, coral, 19–21 May1980; MBM 150364, 2 males (3.6, 3.8 mm), 2 ovigerous females (3.4, 3.7 mm), Celiang Beach, CN 58C-627, 28 Apr.1958; MBM 150370, 3 males (2.2–3.8 mm), 2 females (2.0, 2.3 mm), 2 ovigerous females (3.1, 3.3 mm), Celiang Beach, CN 58C- 627, 28–29 Apr.1958; MBM 150389, 2 males (2.1, 3.8 mm), 11 females (1.7–3.3 mm), Jinqing Island, CN 75- X 167, 23 May 1975. Nansha Islands: MBM 150202, 5 males (3.6–4.8 mm), 1 female (4.8 mm), 1 ovigerous female (2.8 mm), Yongshu Reef, coral reef, CN SSFJ 1-13, 3 m, 17 May 1990; MBM 150226, 1 male (2.4 mm), 1 female (2.6 mm), 2 ovigerous females (3.8, 3.8 mm), Chigua Reef, coral reef, CN SSFJ 2-16, 19 May 1990; MBM 150233, 2 males (3.0, 3.4 mm), 1 ovigerous female (3.0 mm), Wufang Reef, CN SSFJ 8-84, 1– 4 m, coral, 6–7 May 1990; MBM 150337, 1 male (3.6 mm), 1 female (1.4 mm), Yongshu Reef, coral reef, 11 Apr.1999.

Distribution. Previously known from Madagascar, Mozambique Channel, Delagoa Bay, Cargados Carazos, Amirante, Saya De Malha Bank, Red Sea, Ryukyu Islands, Taiwan, South China Sea, Talaud and Holandia Bay, near Timor, Marsegu Island, Gorong Island, Ternate, Indonesia, New Guinea, Western Australia, Lifu, Loyalty Islands, Palau Islands, Yap Island; intertidal to 146 m. Now also known from South China Sea; intertidal to 50 m.

Remarks. The specimens agree with the previous descriptions of the species. Galathea aegyptiaca is a coral reef inhabitant.