A new genus and species of alpheid shrimp (Caridea: Alpheidae) from the Galapagos Islands

Abstract

Coronalpheus natator new genus, new species is described from the Galapagos Islands. It lives under subtidal rocks. It is similar to species of Automate in having the eyes exposed in dorsal view, the pterygostomian angle of the carapace unarmed, the mandible with a palp and molar process, the first pereopods dissimilar and the dactyl carried extended dorsally, the second pereopod with 5 articles in the carpus and epipods on the 4 anterior pairs of pereopods. However, it has an appendix masculina on the second pereopod, the pigmented part of the eye is well developed and there are distinct spinules on the basal article of the antennular flagellum. The rostrum reaches to the pigmented part of the eye. The stylocerite and scaphocerite are well developed. In life, it is colored yellowish with a bright red line along the dorsal midline.