On a collection of brachyuran crabs from Lakshadweep, Indian Ocean (Crustacea: Decapoda: Brachyura)
Author
Devi, S. Suvarna
Author
Mendoza, Jose C. E.
Author
Ravinesh, R.
Author
Idress Babu, K. K.
Author
Kumar, A. Biju
Author
Ng, Peter K. L.
text
Zootaxa
2019
2019-06-06
4613
3
477
501
journal article
26571
10.11646/zootaxa.4613.3.4
3208ca31-041c-4f91-a7d8-eda1c7a6bf00
1175-5326
3239869
72D5CBE3-4121-4C22-989C-F27075EDFB90
Ocypode ceratophthalmus
(Pallas, 1772)
Material examined.
2 males
(40.0 x
34.9 mm
, 64.6 x
52.7 mm
) (
DABFUK
), Kadamat,
28 June 2013
;
1 female
(67.7 x
59.2 mm
) (
DABFUK
), Minicoy,
20 August 2013
.
Remarks.
Ocypode ceratophthalmus
(Pallas, 1772)
as currently understood is a species complex, currently under study by P.J.F. Davie, H.-T. Shih and P.K.L. Ng, with three genetically distinct forms present in the Indian Ocean. Two are the commonly recognised white-and-maroon morphs and are morphologically close, but can be separated by details of the stridulatory apparatus on its chela. One white-maroon morph represents
Ocypode ceratophthalmus
sensu stricto
, which occurs on islands as well as continental landmasses as well as in most of Southeast Asia and
East Asia
. The second white-maroon morph is known mostly from isolated islands and appears allied to
O. pallidula
Hombron & Jacquinot, 1846
. Whether it is a new species or there is older name now listed under its extensive synonymy will need to be established. The third morph is the most distinct, with a prominent green to greenishyellow coloration in life and a diagnostic stridulatory structure on its chela. This green morph is almost certainly a new species and is known only from islands in the Indian Ocean (see also
Orchard 2012
;
Ma
et al.
2018
).
All the material observed in the islands were of the green morph. The species was also observed on eight islands: viz; Agatti, Kavaratti, Amini, Chetlat, Androth, Bitra, Kilton and Kalpeni but specimens were not collected.