A new genus and new species for an unusual semi-terrestrial potamid crab (Decapoda: Brachyura) with a bilobed mandibular palp from peninsular Malaysia

Abstract

Potamid freshwater crabs are characterised by mandibular palps possessing three segments with the terminal lobe simple. A new genus and new species of semi-terrestrial crab, Gempala bilobata, is here described from Peninsular Malaysia that possesses a 3-segmented mandibular palp having a bilobed terminal segment, a hitherto unknown condition. In addition, the carapace of the new genus is unusually high. Comparisons with allied potamid genera from Malaysia are also made and the affinities of the genus discussed.