A New Species of the Ghost Shrimp Family Ctenochelidae (Crustacea: Decapoda: Axiidea) from Japan

Abstract

A new species of the ghost shrimp genus Ctenocheloides (Decapoda: Axiidea: Ctenochelidae), C. nomurai, is described on the basis of two male specimens from the shallow subtidal bottom of Arita Bay, Kushimoto, Wakayama Prefecture, Japan. The new species differs from its sole known congener, C. attenborougi Anker, 2010, in the structure of the carapace, the well developed crista dentata of the third maxilliped, the strongly asymmetrical chelipeds, and the chelate fiſth pereo- pod. The two type specimens were found under a rock on soſt bottom, suggesting that the new species is a burrower like other callianassoid species.