A New Species of Lysmata (Crustacea, Decapoda, Hippolytidae) from the Pacific Coast of Panama, with Observations of Its Reproductive Biology

Abstract

Arthur Anker, Juan Antonio Baeza, and Sammy De Grave (2009) A new species of Lysmata (Crustacea: Decapoda: Hippolytidae) from the Pacific coast of Panama, with observations of its reproductive biology. Zoological Studies 48(5): 682-692. Lysmata holthuisi sp. nov., a new peppermint shrimp, is described from Taboga I., on the Pacific coast of Panama. In addition to the type locality, L. holthuisi sp. nov. occurs in the vicinity of Panama City and around some islands relatively close to the mainland (Las Perlas and Coiba). The new species can be distinguished from other species of Lysmata by the rostrum bearing 6 (occasionally 5 or 7) dorsal and 2 (rarely 3) ventral teeth; the presence of setae between the dorsal rostral teeth; an acute well-developed pterygostomial tooth; a stylocerite overreaching the 1st antennular segment; the accessory branch of the lateral antennular flagellum consisting of 6 or 7 free segments; the marked segmentation of the merus of the 2nd pereiopod; the absence of a posteroventral tooth on the 4th pleuron; and by its diagnostic color pattern, characterized by red longitudinal stripes on the carapace and abdomen, and conspicuous bright yellow and red markings on or near the accessory branch of the lateral antennular flagellum. Among the eastern Pacific species, L. holthuisi sp. nov. appears to be most closely related to L. argentopunctata Wicksten and L, chica Wicksten. Anatomical observations, field population studies, and laboratory experiments indicate that L. holthuisi sp. nov. is a protandric simultaneous hermaphrodite, with an early male phase followed by a functional simultaneous hermaphroditic phase. http://zoolstud.sinica.edu.tw/Journals/48.5/682.pdf