Galilia, Ng, Peter K. L. & Forges, Bertrand Richer De, 2007

Ng, Peter K. L. & Forges, Bertrand Richer De, 2007, A new genus and new species of leucosiid crab from New Caledonia, with a note on the validity of Tanaoa serenei (Richer de Forges, 1983) (Crustacea: Decapoda: Brachyura), Zootaxa 1662, pp. 15-24 : 18

Galilia , new genus

Type species. Galilia narusei , new species, by monotypy.

Etymology. The genus is named after Dr. Bella Galil, in gratitude for her kind help as well as her many contributions to brachyuran systematics over the years. The name is used in arbitrary combination with the ending of the genus name “ Randallia ”. Gender feminine.

Diagnosis. Carapace surface covered by large, rounded pustule-like tubercles, with numerous small pearliform or fungiform granules, surfaces appear spongiform; intestinal region with 2 rounded tubercles directed posteriorly. Basal antennular article large, completely sealing fossa when retracted. Chelipeds relatively short, less than 2 times carapace length, merus and carpus relatively short, fingers long, curved, oval in cross-section, not prominently laterally flattened. Ambulatory legs relatively short. Thoracic sternites 5–7 prominently medially depressed, appearing sunken; sterno-abdominal cavity very deep. Male abdomen segments 3–6 effectively fused; telson tongue-shaped. G1 long, distal third very slender, distal one third distinctly bent towards sternum.

Remarks. The generic placement of the present new species is difficult. With regards to the lingulate (tongue-like) form of the male telson, the thoracic sternum being prominently depressed medially, with the sterno-abdominal cavity and adjacent surfaces appearing “sunken”, the cheliped fingers are not distinctly laterally flattened, and the distal part of the G1 possessing a long and slender process, it is clearly allied to species in Toru Galil, 2003 . On the other hand, the present new species differs rather markedly from the four known species now placed in Toru , viz. T. granuloides ( Sakai, 1961) (type species), T. mesjatzevi ( Zarenkov, 1990) , T. pilus (Tan, 1996) , and T. septimus Galil, 2003 , in that its body is very granulose all over with numerous large pustule-like tubercles, the two large posteriorly directed tubercles on the intestinal region are evenly rounded, the chelipeds, notably the meri, are distinctly shorter, the ambulatory legs are relatively shorter and the elongated G1 process is gently bent at the distal one-third point, with the margins gently curved. In the known species of Toru , the carapace and pereiopod surfaces are much smoother and never with the large pustule-like tubercles present on G. narusei , new species, the two large posteriorly directed tubercles on the intestinal region are lamellate to sublamellate, the ambulatory legs and cheliped meri are relatively longer, with the distal part of the elongated G1 process sharply bent at right angles, with the outer margin forming a prominent angle ( Galil, 2003: Figs. 2 A–D, 5A–F). In addition, the areas between the pustule-like tubercles in G. narusei are covered with numerous small mushroom-shaped granules which give the surface a very “spongiform” look. In this respect, the carapace condition of G. n a r u s e i somewhat resembles members of the genus Urashima Galil, 2003 , although even in the species of this genus, the surfaces are still not as granuliform or spongiform. Galilia narusei also resembles Urashima species in that the chelipeds and ambulatory legs are relatively shorter. However, G. narusei cannot be placed in Urashima because of its lingulate male telson, sunken thoracic sternum, normal cheliped fingers long and slender distal process of the G1. As such, it seems best to refer G. narusei to its own genus, Galilia .

Figures

FIGURE 2. Galilia narusei, new genus, new species, holotype male (31.2 x 32.2 mm) (New Caledonia, MNHN. A, overall dorsal view; B, carapace; C, frontal view; D, lateral view of carapace; E, third maxillipeds; F, posterior carapace view.