New species of Munidopsis (Decapoda: Anomura: Galatheidae) from hydrothermal vent in Okinawa Trough and cold seep in Sagami Bay

Abstract

Three new species of galatheid crabs, Munidopsis ryukyuensis n. sp. and Munidopsis longispinosa n. sp., both associated with hydrothermal vents in the Hatoma Knoll, East China Sea, and Munidopsis naginata n. sp. associated with hydrothermal vents in the Hatoma Knoll and cold seep in Sagami Bay are described and illustrat ed. Their affinities to closely related species are discussed. The records of Munidopsis species associated with hydrothermal vents in the West Pacific Ocean are increased to seven. The habi tat of the new species is briefly described. Distributional patterns of vent associated Munidopsis in the West Pacific is briefly discussed.