Alpheus octocellatus is a New Species of Pistol Shrimp from the Maldives | Reef Builders
A brand new species of snapping shrimp has been described based mostly on two specimens collected within the Maldives. Alpheus octocellatus seems to be morphologically most just like Alpheus edwardsii, pareuchirus and leptochirus so the paper’s authors have positioned it within the edwardsii group, however it may be distinguished from all of them by a mix of morphological characters, primarily involving the chelipeds, third maxilliped, and pleonal sternites.
The brand new species additionally has a extremely diagnostic coloration sample, with 4 pairs of conspicuous eyespots distributed in a singular and peculiar sample on the pleon, which supplies it its particular identify. One male and one feminine have been collected on shallow-water reef flats off the Southern Ari Atoll within the Maldives, with a photographic report from Cebu within the Philippines. It has been described by Arthur Anker and F. Benzoni, and printed within the journal Zootaxa, doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5271.3.7.
Arthur Anker additionally described one other new pistol shrimp in April 2023, named Alpheus dingabadi, additionally from the Maldives, and this time assigned to the A.macrocheles group. The Alpheus macrocheles group is described based mostly on a single grownup male specimen collected on an uncovered forereef close to Magoodhoo Island, Faafu Atoll, within the Maldives. Alpheus dingabadi is one among a number of species of the A. macrocheles group characterised by the presence of a stout distoventral tooth on the merus of the third pereiopod however will be separated from all of them by a number of morphological options, together with the unusually lengthy appendix masculina on the second pleopod, in addition to by its conspicuous and extremely diagnostic coloration sample.
With so many Pistol shrimp species within the interest, offered each as companions for shrimp gobies and as stowaways in coral bases and liverock, we expect it probably that one or each have been within the interest beforehand, so preserve your eyes peeled. It’s additionally but extra proof of latest species discoveries coming from this Indian Ocean hotspot. doi.org/10.11646/ZOOTAXA.5271.1.6
