A new species of the genus Rimicaris (Alvinocarididae: Caridea: Decapoda) from the active hydrothermal vent field, "Kairei Field," on the Central Indian Ridge, the Indian Ocean

Abstract

Rimicaris kairei new species (Alvinocarididae: Caridea: Decapoda) is described based on materials, from the active hydrothermal vent field, "Kairei Field," on the Central Indian Ridge, the Indian Ocean. The new species is clearly distinguishable from the unique congener, R. exoculata Williams & Rona, 1986, which is known from the Atlantic Ocean. The following morphological differences were identified: (1) all punctations on carapace strongly ornamented by tufts of short stiff setae in R. exoculata, whereas without any setae in R. kairei; (2) antennal flagella in R. exoculata shorter than in R. kairei; (3) walking legs in R. exoculata more robust than in R. kairei.