A new squat lobster, Munida rupicola (Crustacea: Decapoda: Galatheidae), from Taiwan

Abstract

A new squat lobster of the genus Munida was collected during on-going deep-sea expeditions around Taiwan. The new species, Munida rupicola, belongs to the group containing M. microps Alcock, 1894, M. africana Balss, 1913, M. profunda Macpherson & de Saint Laurent, 1991, M. rubella Macpherson & de Saint Laurent, 1991, and M. rubrovata Macpherson & de Saint Laurent, 1991, but is distinct in the combination of the following characters: carapace lacking secondary striae, supraocular spines subparallel, distomesial spine of the second antennal segment not overreaching antennal peduncle, merus of third maxilliped with three marginal spines on flexor margin, and the carpus of cheliped slightly more than 2.5 times as long as wide. The coloration of this new species is illustrated.