Athanas minikoensis Coutière, 1903

Anker, Arthur, 2023, Alpheid shrimps of the genera Athanas Leach, 1814, Athanopsis Coutière, 1897 and Pseudathanas Bruce, 1983 of the coasts of the Arabian Peninsula (Malacostraca: Decapoda: Caridea), Zootaxa 5383 (2), pp. 179-215 : 191

Athanas minikoensis Coutière, 1903

( Fig. 6 )

Athanas Minikoensis Coutière 1903: 76 , figs. 9–11; Coutière 1905: 858, fig. 130; De Man 1911: 149, (1915) pl. 2, fig. 5.

Athanas minikoensis — Ramadan 1936: 13; (?) Fourmanoir 1958: 126, fig. 15; (?) Macnae & Kalk 1969: 43; Kensley 1970: 118, fig. 12; Kensley 1972: 54, fig. 25j; Kensley 1981: 26; Banner & Banner 1981: 43; Banner & Banner 1983: 81; Banner & Banner 1985: 34.

(?) Athanas cf. minikoensis — Barnard 1947: 388; Barnard 1950: 731, fig. 137a–d.

Material examined. 1 ovig. female (cl 3.2 mm), FLMNH UF 71422 , Oman, Masirah Island , 2 km north of Ghab, 20°15’51.6”N / 58°37’26.3”E, coral reef flat, fragmenting of coral rubble, depth 1.5 m, leg. A. Anker, 20.11.2022 [fcn BOMAN-14832] .

Description. For description and illustrations of A. minikoensis see Coutière (1903, 1905), De Man (1911), Barnard (1950, as A. cf. minikoensis , with some reservation) and Kensley (1970); colour pattern of the single Omani female specimen herein identified as A. minikoensis is described below and shown in Fig. 6 .

Colour in life. Background largely translucent; mid-dorsal surface with broad longitudinal band formed by buff white chromatophores and expanding laterally near mid-length of carapace and each pleonite in trapezoid pattern; each anterolateral margin of carapace with red broad reddish band descending from each eye towards pterygostomial region; pleon with scattered red chromatophores, most disposed in chains; chelipeds hyaline white; remaining pereiopods, pleopods and tail fan largely colourless ( Fig. 6 ).

Distribution. Indo-West Pacific from the Red Sea and South Africa (as A. cf. minikoensis ) to Papua New Guinea ( Coutière 1903, 1905; De Man 1911; Ramadan 1936; Barnard 1950; Kensley 1970, 1972; Banner & Banner 1981, 1983, 1985); apparently first record from Oman (present study).

Ecology. Poorly known, however, appears to be bound to coral reef habitats ( De Man 1911). The single Omani specimen was collected by breaking pieces of coral rubble into a sieve at a depth of about 1.5 m.

Remarks. The single ovigerous female from Masirah Island was identified as A. minikoensis based mainly on the configuration of the fronto-orbital region, especially the enlarged, protruding extra-orbital teeth, the much smaller infra-orbital teeth, the absence of supra-corneal teeth, as well as the asymmetrical chelipeds carried folded beneath the body ( Fig. 6 ). Despite being widespread in the Indo-West Pacific, A. minikoensis is not well known morphologically and ecologically ( De Man 1911; Barnard 1950; Kensley 1970). More material, especially fully grown and complete males, are needed to confirm the present record of the species from Oman.

Figures

FIGURE 6. Athanas minikoensis Coutière, 1903, ovigerous female (cl 3.2 mm) from Masirah Island, Oman (FLMNH UF 71422); a, shrimp in life, lateral (right side); b, same, lateral (left side); c, same, dorsal. Photographs by the author.