Munidopsis (Decapoda: Anomura: Galatheidae) from the Abyssal Depths of Taiwan, with Description of One New Species

Abstract

During deep-sea trawling in Taiwanese waters, four species of galatheids belonging to the genus Munidopsis were collected at two stations deeper than 3000m⁠. Three species represent new records from Taiwan: M. panamae Baba, 2005, M. profundaBaba, 2005, and M. teretisBaba, 2005, all recently described and known from very limited material. The other is a new species, Munidopsis tafrii, which resembles M. ceratophthalmaAlcock, 1901, and M. orcinaMcArdle, 1901, but clearly differs in characters of the carapace. The specimens of M. profunda from 4430-4455m are the deepest record for marine animals from Taiwanese waters.