New genus and species of brachyuran crab from the southern East Pacific Rise (Crustacea Decapoda Brachyura Bythograeidae).
A new genus and species of a brachyuran crab, Allograea tomentosa n. gen. and n. sp., of the family Bythograeidae, collected at a hydrothermal vent locality south of the Easter Microplate (31 degrees 09'S) on the southern East Pacific Rise, is described. The genus Allograea is distinguished by lacking modifications of the fronto-orbital region, and by the absence of coloured fields and setal patches on the carapace and chelipeds. The body and legs are smooth but densely covered by a brown tomentum, the eyestalks are not reduced, but the cornea is unfaceted and unpigmented. Comparison of mitochondrial DNA sequences among all known bythograeid genera confirms the novelty of this taxon.
Guinot
Danièle
D
Département des milieux et peuplements marins, Muséum national d'histoire naturelle, 61, rue Buffon, 75005 Paris, France. guinot@mnhn.fr
Hurtado
Luis Alberto
LA
Vrijenhoek
Robert
R
D000818:Animals; D003386:Brachyura / Q000033:anatomy & histology / Q000145:classification* / Q000502:physiology; D004247:DNA / Q000235:genetics; D005819:Genetic Markers; D010140:Pacific Ocean; D011157:Population Dynamics; D013045:Species Specificity
D005819:Genetic Markers; D004247:DNA