Review of the mantis shrimp genus Taku Manning, 1995 (Stomatopoda: Gonodactyloidea: Takuidae)

Abstract

Taku Manning, 1995 (Stomatopoda), was considered monotypic, containing only T. spinosocarinatus Fukuda, 1909 (type locality: Okinawa, Japan), but with two primary synonyms, Gonodactylus strigatus Hansen, 1926 (type locality: Sulawesi, Indonesia), and Gonodactylus demani var. pruvotae Gravier, 1930 (type locality: Isle of Pines, New Caledonia). As such, T. spinosocarinatus has been attributed a wide distribution in the western Pacific, from Japan to Indonesia and Vietnam, and northeastern Australia to New Caledonia. We review Taku from throughout its range using morphological and molecular data and show the presence of two distinct forms differing in telson carination and spination: a northern form ranging from Japan to Indonesia and Vietnam, including the first record from Korea, corresponding to T. spinosocarinatus sensu stricto; and a southern form occurring in the Coral Sea from New Caledonia to the Great Barrier Reef, Australia, corresponding to T. pruvotae, herein removed from synonymy. Gonodactylus strigatus is retained in the synonymy of T. spinosocarinatus.