| Abstract |
Thalassinidean crustacean constitutes an important group of the benthic endofauna largely distributed along the Venezuelan coast.At present, only 18 species are known from northeastern Venezuela.92 specimens of the genus Neocallichirus were captured with a yabby pump in different localities of the southern and northern coast of the Gulf of Cariaco (10o30'N, 64o00'W).All western Atlantic species of the genus Neocallichirus are represented in Venezuela: N.rathbunae (Schmitt, 1935), N.grandimanus (Gibbes, 1850), N.nickellae Manning, 1993, N.lemaitrei Manning 1993, and N.cacahuate Felder & Manning 1995.In addition, a new species of the genus is here described from sandy substrates in subtidal bottoms at three different localities, raising to six the total number of species known from Western Atlantic.The new species is closely related to N.rathbunae, but can be separated by differences in the front of carapace, the dimensions of merus, carpus and propodus and the cutting edges of the fingers of chelipeds.The genus lives at 24-27oC and 34-37 ppt; sediment analysis showed that the species prefers medium-size-grain sand substrates (250-80æm) |
Blanco Rambla, J.P. (1999) The genus Neocallichirus Sakai, 1984 (Decapoda: Callianassidae) in Venezuela, with the description of a new species. Program and Abstracts of the 1999 The Crustacean Society Summer Meeting.