Taxonomy of two deep-water penaeoid shrimps (Decapoda: Dendrobranchiata: Penaeidae, Solenoceridae) Pleoticus steindachneri (Balss, 1914) and Parapenaeus fissuroides erythraeus Crosnier, 1986 endemic to the Red Sea

Abstract

Newly collected specimens of two Red Sea endemic shrimps, Pleoticus steindachneri (Balss, 1914) and Parapenaeus fissuroides erythraeus Crosnier, 1986, allow their taxonomic status to be revised based on a molecular analysis. Results of DNA barcoding comparison synonymize P. fissuroides erythraeus with P. indicus Crosnier, 1986. The poorly known Pl. steindachneri is re-described and illustrated. Molecular phylogenetic analysis on Pl. steindachneri reveals that Pleoticus Spence Bate, 1888 is polyphyletic. Pleoticus steindachneri is herein transferred to Solenocera Lucas, 1849, and Faxonia Bouvier, 1905 is revived for Pl. robustus Smith, 1885. A modified key to the genera of the family Solenoceridae Wood-Mason in Wood-Mason & Alcock, 1891 is provided.