A new genus and species of hermit crab (Crustacea: Anomura: Paguridae) from Taiwan

Abstract

Keywords Lemaitre, R. 2003. A new genus and species of hermit crab (Crustacea: Anomura: Paguridae) from Taiwan. In: Lemaitre, R., and Tudge, C.C. (eds). A new monotypic hermit crab genus. Chanopagurus (Paguridae). is described for a new species, C. aiopos, based on an ovigerous female specimen collected in deep water (880 m) off the coast of Taiwan. The single specimen is unique in having: 13 pairs of quadriserial gills which include two reduced but functional pleurobranchs on the fifth and sixth tho-racic somites; ocular peduncles concave mesially; reduced, unpigmented corneas located lateroventrally; ocular acicles each armed with very small spine: unpaired left gonopore; and paired first pleopods. The new species shares with Propagurus McLaughlin and dc Saint Laurent, the presence of reduced pleurobranchs on the fifth and sixth thoracic somites. The superficial resemblance of C aiopos with species of Tomopaguropsis Alcock, in having subequal chelipeds, and long, dense setae on the antennae, chelipeds and .second and third pereopods. is considered homoplasy.