Synalpheus kensleyi ( Ríos & Duffy, 2007 )

Anker, Arthur, Pachelle, Paulo P. G., Grave, Sammy De & Hultgren, Kristin M., 2012, 3598, Zootaxa 3598 (1), pp. 1-96 : 59

Synalpheus kensleyi ( Ríos & Duffy, 2007)

( Fig. 39 )

Zuzalpheus kensleyi Ríos & Duffy 2007: 41 , figs 18–22, pl. 3.

Material examined. Panama: 1 male, MNHN-IU-2010-4149, Bocas del Toro , San Cristóbal, Punta Coco, coral rubble and cryptic sponges, 1–1.5 m, coll. A. Anker, 29.10.2005 [fcn 05-066*] . Dominican Republic: 1 male, RMNH D54878, Bayahibe, coral rocks and cryptic sponges, 1–2 m, coll. A. Anker, 02- 03.01.2005 [fcn 05-044A*] ; 1 male, OUMNH. ZC.2012-07-037, same collection data [fcn 05-044B] .

Description. For complete description and illustrations see Ríos & Duffy (2007).

Size range. Males, 4.2–4.9 cl mm.

Colour in life. Semitransparent pale greenish or beige orange, major chela with darker fingers ( Fig. 39 ); ovaries and freshly laid eggs dull green; see also photograph in Ríos & Duffy (2007).

Type locality. Carrie Bow Cay , Belize .

Distribution. Western Atlantic: Caribbean Sea: Belize [Carrie Bow Cay], Panama [Bocas del Toro], Dominican Republic [Bayahibe] ( Ríos & Duffy 2007; present study; see map in Fig. 52 ).

Ecology. Shallow reef habitats with abundance of sponges; presently known depth range 1–2 m; obligate symbiont of demosponges Hyatella intestinalis , Hymeniacidon caerulea and an unidentified “cryptic yellow tube sponge” ( Ríos & Duffy 2007); typically in heterosexual pairs.

Remarks. Synalpheus kensleyi can be distinguished from several closely related species with five carpal articles in the second pereiopod ( S. brooksi , S. idios etc.) by the dorsally projecting, acute tooth on the basicerite. This species appears to be restricted to the Caribbean Sea, where it is relatively uncommon. It was previously known only from Belize and Panama and is now recorded for the first time from the Dominican Republic.

Figures

FIGURE 39. Synalpheus kensleyi (Ríos & Duffy, 2007): a, male from Bocas del Toro, Panama (MNHN-IU-2010-4149); b, male from Bayahibe, Dominican Republic (RMNH D54878). Photographs by A. Anker.

FIGURE 52. Presently known geographic ranges of Synalpheus hoetjesi Hultgren, Macdonald & Duffy, 2010; S. idios (Ríos & Duffy, 2007); S. kensleyi (Ríos & Duffy, 2007); S. cf. longicarpus (Herrick, 1891); S. obtusifrons Chace, 1972; S. pandionis Coutière, 1909; S. parfaiti Coutière, 1898; S. pectiniger Coutière, 1909; S. rathbunae Coutière, 1909; S. regalis Duffy, 1996; S. sanctithomae Coutière, 1909; S. scaphoceris Coutière, 1910; S. senegambiensis Coutière, 1908; S. townsendi Coutière, 1909; S. ul (Ríos & Duffy, 2007) and S. yano (Ríos & Duffy, 2007).