Periclimenaeus Nufu, a new species of shrimp (Crustacea: Decapoda: Pontoniinae) from Vietnam

Abstract

A new species of the commensal pontoniine shrimp genus Periclimenaeus, P. nufu, new species, was found in samples from dead coral habitats in shallow Vietnamese waters (Van Phong Bay) of the South China Sea. The new species is placed in the Periclimenaeus robustus species group, with a characteristic anteromedian rounded lobe on the fi rst abdominal tergite. It is readily distinguishable from most species of the genus by the unique shape of the widely ovate uropodal exopods; their distolateral margins and unusually rounded distolateral angles are distinctly serrate. Other remarkable features are the produced, movable anterovental angle of the carapace, ambulatory dactyli with long and slender unguis, and with a markedly reduced additional unguis. The true host of the single specimen available, assumed to be an encrusting sponge, is unknown. The new species is described and illustrated, and a key to distinguish related species is proposed.