Fizesereneia panda

Van Der Meij, Sancia E. T., Berumen, Michael L. & Paulay, Gustav, 2015, A new species of Fizesereneia Takeda & Tamura, 1980 (Crustacea: Brachyura: Cryptochiridae) from the Red Sea and Oman, Zootaxa 3931 (4), pp. 585-595 : 586-594

Fizesereneia panda van der Meij sp. nov.

( Figs 2–6 )

Type locality. Atlantis Shoal, Farasan Banks, Saudi Arabia (18.1917 N, 41.1138 E)

Coral host of holotype. Lobophyllia cf. hemprichii (Ehrenberg, 1834)

DNA barcoding. A sequence of the Folmer region of COI of the holotype (partially, Folmer et al. 1994) has been deposited in GenBank under accession number KM491175 .

Type material. Holotype: RMNH.Crus.D.54425, 1 ovig. female (4.2 × 3.6) on Lobophyllia cf. hemprichii , 7.iii. 2013, ca. 10 m, leg. SET van der Meij; allotype: RMNH.Crus.D.54424, 1 male (4.2 × 3.2) on Lobophyllia cf. hemprichii , 7.iii.2013, ca. 10 m, leg. SET van der Meij. Paratypes: King Abdullah University of Science and Technology: SAI-001, Al-Fahal S, off Thuwal (22.2465 N 38.9592 E), 2 m, 9.xi.2014, 1 ovig. female on Lobophyllia corymbosa (coll. nr. SA1916), leg. SET van der Meij; UF Arthropoda 40384 (ex RMNH.Crus.D.54465), Marca I, Farasan Banks (18.2206 N 41.3244 E), ca. 10 m, 6.iii.2013, 1 non-ovig. female (4.3 × 3.4) on Lobophyllia hemprichii , leg. SET van der Meij.

Other material. Saudi Arabia. RMNH.Crus.D.54449, Pelican (Ablo) I., Farasan Banks (18.6595 N 40.8270 E), 5 m, 5.iii.2013, 1 non-ovig. female on Lobophyllia corymbosa , leg. SET van der Meij; RMNH.Crus.D.54386, Shi'b Ammar, Farasan Banks (19.5707 N 40.0088 E), 7 m, 3.iii.2013, 1 ovig. female on Lobophyllia corymbosa , leg. SET van der Meij; RMNH.Crus.D.54490, Dolphen Lagoon, offshore of Farasan Banks (19.0005 N 40.1481 E), 0–3 m, 4.iii.2013, 2 ovig. female, 1 non-ovig. female on Lobophyllia corymbosa , leg. SET van der Meij; RMNH.Crus.D.54390, Marca Isl. II, Farasan Banks (18.2089 N 41.3346 E), 5–10 m, 7.iii.2013, 1 non-ovig. female on Lobophyllia cf. hemprichii , leg. SET van der Meij; RMNH.Crus.D.54387, Naf Shuma, Farasan Is. (16.7527 N 41.6049 E), 9.iii.2013, 2 ovig. female (1 damaged) on Lobophyllia cf. corymbosa , leg. SET van der Meij; RMNH.Crus.D.56801, Abu Gishaa, off Thuwal (22.2552 N 39.0235 E), 15 m, 10.xi.2014, 2 ovig. females on Lobophyllia corymbosa , leg. SET van der Meij; RMNH.Crus.D.56802, Tahlah, off Thuwal (22.2739 N 39.0503 E), 13 m, 13.xi.2014, 1 ovig. female on Lobophyllia cf. corymbosa , leg. SET van der Meij. Oman. UF Arthropoda 20378, off Bandar Al-Khayran, Gulf of Oman (ca. 23.52 N 58.73 E), 6–9 m, 1 ovig. female (damaged), 1 male on Symphyllia recta , 23.v.2008, leg. M Malay.

Description female holotype. Carapace ( Fig. 2A ) subrectangular, longer than broad, CL 1.2 times longer than CW; greatest width of carapace where posterior margin of depression meets lateral carapace margin; dorsal surface convex in lateral view, deflected anteriorly ( Fig. 2B ). The anterior depressions divided completely into two concavities by median longitudinal ridge, armed with numerous spines crudely arranged in two rows; scattered spines on the margins of the depressions; carapace depressions smooth. Frontal margin armed with anteriorly directed spines. Frontal margin on ventral side features two substantial spines ( Fig. 2C ). Posterior half of dorsum smooth; cardio-intestinal region slightly outlined by shallow furrow; pterygostomial region is separated from the carapace by a membrane.

Ocular penduncles with two spines on distal margin, cornea elliptical, longer than broad; antennule same length as ocular penduncles; antennal segment two longer than broad, slightly extending beyond eyestalk, distal margin with several lateral spines.

MXP3 ( Fig. 2D ) exopod subrectangular, reaching approx. 1/3 length of ischium; ischium subtriangular, smooth, mesial and distal margin straight, anteromesial lobe with few setae; anterolateral margin of merus with few setae; distal portion of carpus with long setae; dactylus with bundle of long setae.

P1 (chelipeds, Fig. 3A ) slender, smooth; ischium length ¾ height; merus length three times height, with few scattered short setae; carpus length twice height; propodus about same length as merus, fingers slender, mesial surfaces of fingers smooth, cutting edge entire, tips of fingers slightly crossing.

P2 ( Fig. 3B ) longer, coarser than P1; ischium without setae; merus stout, slightly bent, few and small conical tubercles on distal half of dorsal surface, simple short setae on lateral and dorsal surface; joint between merus, carpus not extending more than at right angle; carpus 2/3 length of merus, surface smooth except for conical tubercles crudely arranged in two rows, no setae; propodus as long as carpus, surface smooth except for conical tubercles crudely arranged in two rows, fine setae on lateral and dorsal surface, dactylus half-length of propodus, smooth, sharp, slightly curved ventrally.

P3 ( Fig. 3C ) ischium with few setae; merus length twice height, rounded, tubercles and simple setae on dorsal surface, few small tubercles on distal half of lateral surface, simple setae along distal half of lateral surface; joint between merus, carpus not extending more than at right angle; carpus and propodus of equal length, rounded tubercles on dorsal surface, simple setae on lateral and dorsal surface; dactylus half-length of propodus, smooth, sharp, curved ventrally.

P4 ( Fig. 3D ) ischium with few setae; merus length twice height, small rounded tubercles close to joint with carpus, simple setae on dorsal and lateral surface; joint between merus, carpus not extending more than at right angle; carpus and propodus of equal length, rounded tubercles on dorsal surface, simple setae on lateral and dorsal surface; dactylus half-length of propodus, smooth, sharp, curved ventrally.

P5 ( Fig. 3E ) ischium with few setae; merus, carpus, propodus of equal length, all with simple setae; joint between merus, carpus not extending more than at right angle; carpus and propodus with rounded tubercles on dorsal surface; dactylus half-length of propodus, smooth, sharp, straight.

P3, P4 decreasing in size from P2. P5 right sampled for DNA analysis.

Pleon (= abdomen) enlarged, lateral margin fringed with setae.

Anterior margin thoracic sternites 1–3 almost straight ( Fig. 6B ).

Gonopore (vulva); reniform, size almost half the height of sternite 6 (examined in paratype UF Arthropoda 40384).

Description male allotype. Generally similar to holotype, differences as outlined below. Carapace ( Fig. 4A ) subrectangular, CL 1.3 times longer than CW ( Fig. 4C ). The anterior depressions divided completely into two concavities by median longitudinal; numerous spines on the margins of the depressions. Posterior half of dorsum smooth.

Ocular penduncles with small spines on distal margin, cornea elliptical, longer than broad; antennal segment extending beyond eyestalk ( Fig. 4B ).

MXP3 ( Fig. 4D ) exopod subrectangular, reaching approx. ½ length of ischium; ischium, smooth, mesial and distal margin slightly curved; anterolateral margin of merus with indentation; propodus with scattered setae; dactylus with bundle of short setae.

P1 (chelipeds, Fig. 5A ) slender, smooth; merus length two times height; carpus with short spines on dorsal surface; propodus about same length as merus, fingers slender, mesial surfaces of dactyl with slight tooth.

P2 ( Fig. 5B ) longer, coarser than P1; ischium without setae; merus slender, simple short setae on lateral and dorsal surface; carpus ½ length of merus, slightly bent, few spiny tubercles on dorsal surface, few setae; propodus length twice height, surface smooth except for spiny tubercles on dorsal surface, fine setae on lateral and dorsal surface, dactylus smooth, sharp, slightly curved ventrally.

P3 ( Fig. 5C ) merus length three times height, simple setae on lateral and dorsal surface; carpus bent with few setae; propodus tapering towards dactyl, simple setae on lateral and dorsal surface; dactylus smooth, sharp, curved ventrally, few setae.

P4 ( Fig. 5D ) merus slightly rounded, simple setae on dorsal and lateral surface; carpus and propodus with simple setae on lateral and dorsal surface; dactylus smooth, sharp, curved ventrally.

P5 ( Fig. 5E ) ischium with few setae; merus length twice height, simple setae on dorsal and lateral surface; carpus 2/3 of propodus length, simple setae on lateral and dorsal surface; dactylus, smooth, sharp, curved.

P3–5 roughly of equal size. P1–2 left missing, P4–5 left sampled for DNA analyses.

Anterior margin of thoracic sternites 1–3 slightly concave ( Fig. 6D ). Abdomen bowling pin-shaped, longest and widest at 4th segment; telson rounded with few setae ( Fig. 4E ).

Gonopod; G1: slightly curved, tapering, apex pointed. Lateral margin with short, non-plumose simple setae, medial margin without setae.

Colour. Holotype ( Fig. 6A–B ): posterior 2/3 of the anterior depressions on the carapace have a black blotch with a reddish hue, whereas the remaining 1/3 is off-white. Several light blue spots are visible at the junction of the dark and off-white patterns. Remaining part of carapace translucent whitish-beige with a few scattered faint red spots on the posterior side of the carapace and brood pouch. All pereiopods translucent, P1 with many scattered brown spots and a few white spots, P2 more white than P3–5. Colour of MXP3 like P1. Antennules translucent with scattered white spots. Eyes reddish-brown with some white. Allotype ( Fig. 6C–D )—differs from the holotype in the following—posterior 2/3 of the anterior depressions on the carapace have a deep red, almost black blotch, while the remaining 1/3 of the concavity is a soft yellow. Where the dark pattern meets the soft yellow a wine-red margin is visible. Remaining part of carapace translucent bluish-grey, with some scattered red spots, especially on the posterior side of the carapace and around the concavities. P1 with scattered white and brown spots, P2–5 with faint soft yellow bandings. Eyes red with some white.

Variation. Fizesereneia panda sp. nov. females show little morphological variation. There is some variation in colour pattern in live specimens. The size of the dark blotches in the carapace depressions varies but covers at least 2/3 of the concavities. Reddish hue of these blotches is more intense in some specimens. Several females lack the light blue spots of the holotype, whereas in other females the light part of the concavities appears more soft yellow. The male specimen of F. panda sp. nov. from Oman has mixed olive green and light blue spots on the overall reddish-black colour of the depressions.

Remarks. In Fizesereneia heimi and F. stimpsoni the anterior carapace depression is divided into two concavities by a median longitudinal ridge armed with spines, whereas it is incompletely divided in F. latisella , F. ishikawai and F. tholia ( Fize & Serène 1957, Takeda & Tamura 1980, Kropp 1994). The division of the depression in F. daidai is variable, but it is incomplete in most individuals ( Zayasu et al. 2013). The degree of division of the concavity is stronger in F. panda sp. nov. (females and males) than in any other Fizesereneia species, including F.

heimi and F. stimpsoni . In addition, the median longitudinal ridge in F. panda sp. nov. is “raised”, whereas in the other two species the ridge is less pronounced. Based on the degree of division of the concavities, Fizesereneia panda sp. nov. is most similar to F. heimi and F. stimpsoni . The new species can be distinguished from these two species by its carapace shape and the colour pattern of the concavities. The carapace shape of F. heimi is roughly hexagonal (widest near the middle of the lateral margin), of F. stimpsoni subquadrangular (widest across the anterior margin, narrower posteriorly), whereas the carapace of F. panda sp. nov. is subrectangular (greatest width at the intersection of the posterior margin of the anterior depression with the lateral margin). The concavities of female F. heimi are predominantly brown-grey, and the concavities of male F. heimi are emerald green with some darker spots or lines. Female and male F. panda sp. nov. have dark reddish black blotches in the concavities. Fizesereneia panda sp. nov. can be distinguished from F. stimpsoni by the marbled pattern of the concavities in the latter (visible even in specimens in ethanol). Additionally, F. stimpsoni has only been recorded from the coral genus Acanthastrea ( Fize & Serène 1957; Zayasu et al. 2013), whereas F. panda sp. nov. is associated with Lobophyllia and Symphyllia .

Coral hosts ( Fig 6A–B ). So far, Fizesereneia has only been found in association with Indo-Pacific coral species belonging to the Lobophylliidae Dai & Horng, 2009 (previously classified as Mussidae Ortmann, 1890 , a family now restricted to the Atlantic ( Budd et al. 2012)). The coral hosts for this new gall crab species are identified as Lobophyllia cf. corymbosa (Forsskål, 1775) and L. cf. hemprichii, (Ehrenberg, 1834) based on Scheer & Pillai (1983) and Sheppard & Sheppard (1991), and as Symphyllia recta (Dana, 1846) based on Claereboudt (2006). Scheer & Pillai (1983) in their Red Sea study distinguished Lobophyllia corymbosa by its mostly monocentric corallites, from the mostly phacelomeandroid L. hemprichii but considered them potentially synonymous. They did not document the lobophyllid genus Symphyllia in the Red Sea. Sheppard & Sheppard (1991) discussed Symphyllia erythraea (Klunzinger, 1879) , S. radians (Milne Edwards & Haime, 1849) , and Lobophyllia corymbosa and L. hemprichii in the Red Sea. Symphyllia erythraea and S. radians are fully meandroid and not easy to confuse with Lobophyllia . Arrigoni et al. (2012) found L. hemprichii , L. corymbosa and S. radians to be genetically very closely related, while S. erythraea is distinct and basal to the Symphyllia - Lobophyllia clade.

Host specificity of Fizesereneia species appears to be less strict than that of species of some other gall crab genera, but this is possibly influenced by difficulties in host coral identification. So far, only Fizesereneia daidai and F. stimpsoni show strict host associations, respectively with the genera Micromussa and Acanthastrea ( Fize & Serène 1957; Zayasu et al. 2013).

Distribution. Currently known from the Farasan Banks and Islands and the reefs off Thuwal in the Saudi Arabian part of the Red Sea ( Fig. 1 ) and from off Bandar Al-Khayran in the Gulf of Oman. This is the first record of Fizesereneia from this area, a genus heretofore recorded from Vietnam, Indonesia, Japan, Australia, and Micronesia ( Kropp 1990a).

Etymology. This species is named panda owing to the dark colour pattern of its anterior carapace concavities, which resemble the dark spots around the eyes of the giant panda Ailuropoda melanoleuca (David, 1869) (Mammalia, Ursidae ).

Figures

FIGURE 1. Map of the collection sites in the Saudi Arabian Red Sea. The star indicates the type locality of Fizesereneia panda sp. nov., dots indicate the other Red Sea localities where F. panda sp. nov. was collected. One sample was collected in the Gulf of Oman (not on map).

FIGURE 2. A – D, Holotype Fizesereneia panda sp. nov. (RMNH. Crus. D. 54425). A, habitus, dorsal view; B, carapace, lateral view; C, anterolateral margin of carapace, ventral view; D, MXP 3. Scale bars 1 mm.

FIGURE 3. A – E, Holotype Fizesereneia panda sp. nov. (RMNH. Crus. D. 54425). A, left P 1 (cheliped); B, left P 2; C, left P 3; D, left P 4; E, left P 5. Scale bar 1 mm.

FIGURE 4. A – E, Allotype Fizesereneia panda sp. nov. (RMNH. Crus. D. 54424). A, habitus, dorsal view; B, anterolateral margin of carapace, ventral view; C, carapace, lateral view; D, MXP 3; E, abdomen. Scale bars 1 mm.

FIGURE 5. A – E, Allotype Fizesereneia panda sp. nov. (RMNH. Crus. D. 54424). A, right P 1 (cheliped); B, right P 2; C right P 3; D, right P 4; E, right P 5. Scale bar 1 mm.

FIGURE 6. A – D, Fizesereneia panda sp. nov., colouration in life. A, B, holotype RMNH. Crus. D. 54425 (carapace 4.2 × 3.6) ,, dorsal (A) and ventral (B) view. C, D, allotype RMNH. Crus. D. 54424 (carapace 4.2 × 3.2), dorsal (A) and ventral (B) view. Photos by A. Anker and P. L. Norby.