Richalpheus palmeri Anker & Jeng 2006

Anker, Arthur, 2011, Description of a third species in the alpheid shrimp genus Richalpheus Anker & Jeng, 2006 (Crustacea, Decapoda), Zootaxa 3059, pp. 59-68 : 66

Richalpheus palmeri Anker & Jeng 2006

( Figs. 5 , 6 )

Richalpheus palmeri Anker & Jeng, 2006: 381 , figs. 1–6

Not Richalpheus palmeri . — Anker 2010: 34 , figs. 7, 8 [= R. alpheoides sp. nov.]

Material examined. 1 female (cl 5.2 mm), OUMNH.ZC. 2011-06-023, French Polynesia, Moorea, inside lagoon, ray feeding site in front of Hotel Inter-Continental, shallow sand flat, about 1.5 m, A. Anker, C. Glasby, V. Liao, 0 2.12.2010 [fcn BMOO 16077].

Description. See Anker & Jeng (2006).

Colour in life. Semitransparent, whitish, with pinkish tinge, and with reddish chromarophores on antennular peduncles, posterior abdominal somites and tail fan; chelipeds hyaline-white ( Figs 5 , 6 ).

Type locality. The Philippines, Bohol, Panglao Island.

Distribution. Indo-West Pacific: presently known only from the Philippines (Bohol, Palawan) and French Polynesia (Moorea) ( Anker & Jeng 2006; present study; A. Anker, pers. obs.).

Ecology. Shallow sand flat, about 1.5 m, in burrow of unknown host.

Remarks. The present specimen agrees perfectly with the holotype of R. palmeri as described and illustrated by Anker & Jeng (2006) and is the first known specimen of R. palmeri in Moorea and French Polynesia. The previous record of R. palmeri from Moorea ( Anker 2010) was re-assigned to R. alpheoides sp. nov. (see above). Thus, two species of Richalpheus occur sympatrically in French Polynesia, viz. R. palmeri and R. alpheoides sp. nov.

Figures

FIGURE 5. Richalpheus palmeri Anker & Jeng, 2006, female from Moorea, French Polynesia (OUMNH. ZC. 2011 - 06 - 023): A, B, general lateral views (left and right); C, general dorsal view.

FIGURE 6. Richalpheus palmeri Anker & Jeng, 2006, female from Moorea, French Polynesia (OUMNH. ZC. 2011 - 06 - 023): A, anterior carapace and frontal appendages, dorsal view; B, close-up of anterior margin of carapace and first articles of antennular peduncles, dorsal view; C, tail fan, dorsal view; D, major cheliped, in situ mesial view; E, major chela fingers, mesial view.