Cuapetes nilandensis (Borradaile, 1915)

Marin, Ivan & Sinelnikov, Sergey, 2016, Partial redescription of pontoniine shrimps Cuapetes nilandensis (Borradaile, 1915) and Cuapetes seychellensis (Borradaile, 1915) (Decapoda: Palaemonidae: Pontoniinae) with remarks on taxonomic status of Cuapetes Clark, 1919 and Kemponia Bruce, 2004, Zootaxa 4173 (6), pp. 557-568 : 558-562

Cuapetes nilandensis (Borradaile, 1915)

( Figs. 1 a, 2, 3)

Periclimenes (Falciger) nilandensis Borradaile, 1915b: 211 [type locality: S. Nilandu Atoll, Maldive Islands]; 1917:372, pi. 54: fig. 13.

Periclimenes (Ancylocaris) nilandensis .—Kemp, 1922: 172.

Periclimenes (Harpilius) nilandensis .—Holthuis, 1952: 58, fig. 22.

Kemponia nilandensis .— Bruce, 2004: 18 .

Cuapetes nilandensis .— Okuno, 2009: 67.

Material examined. Indian Ocean , Madagascar— 1 ovig. female, pcl 2.6 mm (UF 13938), Nose, Tanikely, off S side, 13.4789˚ 48.2366˚, BMADA-0190, MGNW-47, lagoonal fringing reef slop, 1–15 m depth, dive, coll. G. Bakary, F. Michonneau, G. Paulay, T. Werner, 23 May 2008 . Western Pacific : Vietnam, Nhatrang Bay — 10 ovig. females, 12 males and 8 juveniles, Nok Island, depth 23 m, on black gorgonian corals, dive, coll. Marin, 10 Jun. 2004 ; 1 ovigerous female, 2 males — Nok Island, 15 m depth, on alcyonarians Dendronephthy a sp., SCUBA, coll. Marin, 10 Jun. 2004 ; GBR of Australia— 1 ovig. female, pcl 2.0 mm (QM), Lizard Island, Bommie Bay , LI 10- 109, 10– 12 m depth, dive, collected from unidentified bushy black coral growing approximately at 10 m into a cave, coll. I. Marin, 9 Sept. 2010 .

Short diagnosis. Carapace ( Fig. 2 a, b) swollen, smooth, with well-developed antennal, hepatic and supraorbital teeth, with supraocular teeth; hepatic spine similar to antennal. Rostrum ( Fig. 2 a) horizontal, compressed, slightly overreaching scaphocerite, with tip slightly turned upward, with deep ventral part. Rostral formula 2+6–7/4 ( Fig. 2 a, b). Eyes ( Fig. 2 a) well developed, with semispherical cornea; eyestalk subcylindrical, without a knob on it medial anterodorsal margin; with accessory pigment spot. Pereiopod I slender; palm about twice longer than wide, subcylindrical, fingers simple, slender, with acute tips and straight cutting edges. Pereiopod II similar in size and shape ( Figs. 1 , 2 e); with slender segments; palm subcylindrical, about 3 times as long as maximal width; fingers simple, slender and straight, about 4 times as long as wide, with acute tips and straight cutting edges ( Fig. 2 f). Pereiopod III ( Fig. 2 g) relatively slender; merus about 8 times as long as wide; carpus about 4 times as long as wide, with projected distodorsal margin; propodus about 10 times as long as wide, with ventral margin bearing 3 single and 4 paired ventral spines and a pair of distoventral spines; dactylus ( Fig. 2 h) moderately robust, about 5 times as long as maximum width, tapering distally, with stout curved unguis. Pereiopods III–V similar.

Coloration. Body and appendages generally translucent covered by irregular brown, white and red dots ( Fig. 3 ).

Habitat. In Nhatrang Bay, the species was found in association with unidentified antipatharians (black corals), gorgonians and alcyonarians Dendronephthya sp. ( Nephtheidae ). Shrimps inhabit hosts in groups of 20–30 individuals. The single ovigerous female from GBR of Australia was found in association with bushy antipatharian (Octocorallia, Antipatharia) ( Marin & Caley, 2011). Known in associations with antipatharians, gorgonians and hydroids (Chace & Bruce, 1993).

Distribution. Eastern Africa to Maldive Islands, South China Sea, Japan, Indonesia, Queensland of Australia and New Caledonia (Chace & Bruce, 1993; Bruce & Coombes, 1995; Li & Bruce, 2006; Marin, 2012; Okuno & Chan, 2012).

Figures

FIGURE 1. Cuapetes nilandensis (Borradaile, 1915), ovigerous female, general lateral view, Madagascar (a) and Cuapetes seychellensis (Borradaile, 1915), ovigerous female, general lateral view, Nhatrang Bay, Vietnam (b).

FIGURE 2. Cuapetes nilandensis (Borradaile, 1915), ovigerous female, Madagascar: a, b — carapace; c — antennula; d — antenna; e — pereiopod II; f — chela of pereiopod II; g — pereiopod III; h — dactylus of pereiopod III.

FIGURE 3. Cuapetes nilandensis (Borradaile, 1915), alive coloration: a, b — male and ovigerous female from Nhatrang Bay, Vietnam; c — ovigerous female from GBR of Australia; d — ovigerous female from Madagascar (leg. A. Anker).