A new slipper lobster of the genus Galearctus Holthuis, 2002 (Decapoda, Scyllaridae) from Taiwan and Japan

Abstract

Taiwanese material previously identified asGalearctus aurora(Holthuis, 1982) is shownto represent a new species. The new species differs fromG. aurorain lacking the pair ofposterolateral spines on the female thoracic sternum, as well as exhibiting different shapes ofthe antenna and transverse carina of the last thoracic sternite. The live colourations of the twospecies also differs. InG. aurora, the pereiopods have purple bands and there is no distinctmarking on the first abdominal tergite, but in the new species, the pereiopods have dark brownbands and the first abdominal tergite has three large yellowish-orange spots. Comparison of thepartial COI sequences supports the specific status of the new species. This new species is alsofound in southern Japan.