The taxonomic identity of Alpheus gracilipes Stimpson, 1860 (Decapoda: Caridea: Alpheidae), with description of five new cryptic species, from Japan

Abstract

The taxonomic identity of Alpheus gracilipes is established on the basis of a newly designated neotype from Tahiti. All specimens referred to A. gracilipes complex from Japan and some other localities were thoroughly reexamined. As a result, A. gracilipes and five new cryptic species, A. angustilineatus, n. sp., A. fujitai, n. sp., A. kuroshimensis, n. sp., A. parvimaculatus, n. sp. and A. roseodigitalis, n. sp., are recognized and described. Two keys to the seven presently known species of the A. gracilipes complex, based on morphological characters and color patterns, respectively, are provided.