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Abortelphusa namdaphaensis, a new genus and new species of freshwater

crab (Decapoda, Brachyura, Gecarcinucidae) from Arunachal Pradesh, India

Preprint  in  Crustaceana · September 2020

DOI: 10.1163/15685403-bja10027

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 Crustaceana 93 (7) 803-817

ABORTELPHUSA NAMDAPHAENSIS, A NEW GENUS AND NEW SPECIES

OF FRESHWATER CRAB (DECAPODA, BRACHYURA,
GECARCINUCIDAE) FROM ARUNACHAL PRADESH, INDIA

BY

SANTANU MITRA1 )
Crustacea Section, Zoological Survey of India, Fire Proof Spirit Building, 27 Jawaharlal Nehru
Road, Kolkata — 700 016, West Bengal, India

ABSTRACT

A new genus and species of gecarcinucid crab are described here from the Namdapha Tiger Re-
serve of Arunachal Pradesh, India; Abortelphusa namdaphaensis gen. et sp. nov. is morphologically
distinct from other related genera, like Phricotelphusa Alcock, 1909, Globitelphusa Alcock, 1909,
Liotelphusa Alcock, 1909, and in having a discrete suite of characters, i.e., carapace squarish, sur-
face randomly pitted, a wide frontal margin ca. 0.5 times the total carapace width; epigastric cristae
rugose, post orbital cristae indiscernible; third maxilliped exopod lacking a flagellum; male pleon
narrowly triangular, sixth pleonal somite trapezoidal; terminal segment of male first gonopod sub-
cylindrical, outwardly bent, tip not truncated. The relationship of this new genus and species with
other gecarcinucid genera from India is discussed.
Key words. — Taxonomy, Gecarcinucidae, new genus, new species, Namdapha Tiger Reserve,
India

RÉSUMÉ

Un nouveau genre et une nouvelle espèce de crabe Gecarcinucidae sont décrits ici de la réserve
de tigres de Namdapha, dans l’Arunachal Pradesh, en Inde. Abortelphusa namdaphaensis gen.
et sp. nov. est morphologiquement différent des genres apparentés Phricotelphusa Alcock, 1909,
Globitelphusa Alcock, 1909, Liotelphusa Alcock, 1909, et présente un ensemble de caractères
distinctifs, soit: carapace carrée, surface irrégulièrement piquetée, large bord frontal d’environ
0,5 fois la largeur totale de la carapace, crêtes épigastriques rugueuses, crêtes post-orbitales
indiscernables; exopodite du troisième maxillipède sans flagelle; pléon mâle en triangle étroit,
sixième somite du pléon trapézoïdal segment terminal du premier gonopode mâle subcylindrique
recourbé vers l’extérieur et à extrémité non tronquée. Les relations de ce nouveau genre et nouvelle
espèce avec les autres genres de Gecarcinucidae de l’Inde sont discutées.
Mots clés. — Taxonomie, Gecarcinucidae, nouveau genre, nouvelle espèce, Namdapha Tiger
Reserve, Inde

1 ) e-mail: santanuzsi@gmail.com

© Koninklijke Brill NV, Leiden, 2020 DOI 10.1163/15685403-bja10027

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INTRODUCTION

Until now, a total of 89 species of gecarcinucid crabs belonging to 24 genera

have so far been reported from India, of which 15 species belonging to 5 genera
are only recorded from northeast India (cf. Alcock, 1910; Bott, 1970; Mitra,
2017; Pati & Thackeray, 2018; Pati & Vargila, 2019). Several new species of
potamid crabs were described recently from different northeastern states (Absar
et al., 2017; Mitra, 2017; Mitra et al., 2018; Mitra & Waikhom, 2019; Pati et al.,
2019). Most of the taxonomic work on gecarcinucid crabs from northeast India is
rather old (Wood-Mason, 1871; Henderson, 1893; Alcock, 1909; Bott, 1969). Until
now, a total of five genera, i.e., Globitelphusa Alcock, 1909; Liotelphusa Alcock,
1909; Maydelliathelphusa Bott, 1969; Sartoriana Bott, 1969; and Phricotelphusa
Alcock, 1909, were reported from northeastern states of India (cf. Alcock, 1909;
Bott, 1969; Mitra, 2017; Pati & Thackeray, 2018).
During a recent faunistic survey to the Arunachal Pradesh state of India, few
specimens of small gecarcinucid crabs were collected from a semi-terrestrial
habitat, adjacent to small hill streams of two different localities in the Namdapha
Biosphere Reserve, situated in the Changlang district of Arunachal Pradesh. After
careful examination of the carapace morphology and male gonopod structures,
these specimens were recognized as a new species in a new genus.The present
study describes the new species and compares it with allied genera in detail.
With this new genus and species, the freshwater crab diversity of Arunachal
Pradesh increases to 15 species, including 4 gecarcinucid species in 4 genera and
10 potamid species in 8 genera (cf. Alcock, 1910; Kemp, 1913; Ghosh et al.,
2006; Mitra et al., 2018; Pati et al., 2019). Arunachal Pradesh, located in extreme
northeastern part of India, is the largest among the seven northeastern states. The
others northeastern states are Assam, Meghalaya, Manipur, Nagaland, Mizoram
and Tripura, and these states are generally called ‘the seven sisters’. Assam has
the highest diversity of freshwater crabs among these states, with 21 species in 11
genera, in which gecarcinucid crabs comprise 11 species under 4 genera; followed
by Mizoram, comprising 15 species from 10 genera, including the gecarcinucids
with 8 species in 4 genera; Meghalaya has 13 species in 7 genera, among which 6
gecarcinucid species under 2 genera; in the other three states, Nagaland, Manipur
and Tripura, the known species diversity is less than 10, most probably due to a
lack of surveys made (Mitra, 2017; Pati & Thackeray, 2018).

MATERIAL AND METHODS

Specimens have been deposited in the National Zoological Collections of the

Zoological Survey of India (ZSI), Crustacea Division, Kolkata. The morphometry
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 ABORTELPHUSA NAMDAPHAENSIS GEN. ET SP. NOV. 805

and terminology used follows Ng & Tay (2001) and Bahir & Yeo (2007), with
changes recommended by Davie et al. (2015). The measurement method of the
carapace follows Ng (1988). The abbreviations used are as follows: cw, carapace
width; cl, carapace length; ch, carapace height; fw, frontal width; coll., collector;
P2-P5, pereiopods 2 to 5; s1-s8, thoracic sternites 1 to 8; G1, male first gonopod;
G2, male second gonopod.

TAXONOMY

Superfamily GECARCINUCOIDEA Rathbun, 1904

Family GECARCINUCIDAE Rathbun, 1904
Abortelphusa gen. nov.
Diagnosis.— Carapace quadrate, slightly broader than long (cw/cl = 1.1), and
low (ch/cw = 0.5); dorsal surface almost flat, glabrous, densely pitted, branchial
region sunken, with many small striae; frontal margin distinctly broad (fw/cw =
0.5), concave medially, deflexed; epigastric cristae distinct, rugose, oblique; pos-
torbital cristae indiscernible; external orbital angle acutely triangular, epibranchial
tooth distinct, small, blunt, distinct cleft between outer margin of external orbital
tooth and epibranchial tooth; cervical grooves indistinct, demarcated only posteri-
orly; third maxilliped ischium with longitudinal submedian groove; exopod lacking
any flagellum (figs. 1G, 3D); ambulatory legs long, slender, margins of dactylus,
propodus and carpus with short setae; thoracic sternites randomly pitted, suture
between s2 and s3 completely fused, not discernible; suture between s3 and s4, de-
marcated as as two short, shallow lateral grooves (fig. 1D); male pleon triangular;
G1 stout, terminal segment slender, relatively long, ca. 0.46 times of subtermi-
nal segment, slightly turned outwardly, tip blunt, not truncate, basal 2/3 almost
cylindrical, terminal 1/3 tapering towards tip; G2 long, distal segment filament-
like, short, less than half of basal segment (figs. 4A-D, 5A-C); female vulvae on
thoracic s6 transversely oval in shape (fig. 2D).
Type species.— Abortelphusa namdaphaensis sp. nov., by present designation.
Etymology.— The genus is named after the “Abor Hills” of the state of
Arunachal Pradesh, India, one of the rich habitats of northeast India in respect
of biodiversity (see the etymology of the species) in combination with “Telphusa”,
a common suffix in generic names associated with freshwater crabs. The gender is
feminine.
Remarks.— The generic diversity of the Gecarcinucidae is quite rich in India:
with this new genus, there are 25 genera in India against the total of 66 in
global context. Indian gecarcinucid genera can be morphologically divided into
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Fig. 1. Abortelphusa namdaphaensis gen. et sp. nov., holotype male (cw 10.8 × cl 9.9 mm) (ZSI-
C 7205/2): A, overall dorsal view; B, overall ventral view; C, carapace, dorsal view; D, thoracic
sternum and pleon; E, cephalothorax, frontal view; F, left cheliped; G, third maxilliped with exopod.
(For measurements, see description.)

two groups by the presence or absence of a flagellum on the third maxilliped

exopod. Abortelphusa, new genus, belongs to the non-flagellum genera, together
with Ghatiana, Gubernatoriana, Sahyadriana, Inglethelphusa, Phricotelphusa,
Globitelphusa, Pilarta, Snaha, Arcithelphusa, and Karkata.
However Abortelphusa, new genus differs from Ghatiana, Gubernatoriana,
Sahyadriana and Inglethelphusa, by having a relatively longer distal segment of
the G2 (fig. 5C) (vs. a very short or vestigial distal segment of G2 in Ghatiana,
Gubernatoriana, Sahyadriana, and Inglethelphusa; see Pati & Thackeray, 2018,
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Fig. 2. Abortelphusa namdaphaensis gen. et sp. nov., paratype female (cw 12.1 × cl 10.8 mm) (ZSI-
C 7206/2): A, dorsal view of carapace; B, ventral view; C, cephalothorax, frontal view; D, sternites
with vulvae. (For measurements, see description.)

figs. 3F, 4F, 5F, 6L, 7F, 8L, 9L, 10F, 11L, 12L, 14L, 15L, 16F, 17L, 19F, 20L, 21L,
22G, 23F, 24L, 25L, 26F, 29H, 31L).
Abortelphusa, however, seems most closely related to Phricotelphusa (type
species, Telphusa callianira De Man, 1887), as both these genera have several
morphological similarities, i.e., carapace almost flat, lateral epibranchial tooth
small, cervical groove most distinct in posterior part, ischium of third maxilliped
with a submedian longitudinal groove, exopodite longer than ischium, and lacking
a flagellum; epistomal median lobe broadly triangular. Yet, Abortelphusa has some
distinct morphological differences from its closely related genus Phricotelphusa:
carapace more squarish, cw/cl = 1.1 (fig. 1C) (vs. carapace relatively broader,
cw/cl = 1.3); external orbital angle narrow, outer margin almost straight to slightly
convex (fig. 1A, C) (vs. external orbital angle broad, outer margin relatively
convex); frontal margin broad, ca. 0.5 times of carapace width (figs. 1E, 3C) (vs.
front relatively narrow, ca. 0.3 times of carapace width); male pleon triangular
(fig. 1D) (vs. male pleon distinctly T-shaped); epigastric cristae rugose, post
orbital cristae indiscernible (fig. 1C) (vs. epigastric cristae and postorbital cristae
sharp); chelipeds subequal (figs. 1A, 2A, 3A) (vs. chelipeds strongly unequal);
G1 terminal segment subcylindrical, outwardly bent, tip blunt, not truncated
(figs. 4A-D; 5A, B) (vs. G1 terminal segment subconical, straight, tip truncated
(see Alcock, 1910, fig. 62; Lheknim & Leelawathanagoon, 2009, figs. 1A-C, 2A-E;
for P. callianira).
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Fig. 3. Abortelphusa namdaphaensis gen. et sp. nov., A-D, paratype male (cw 8.6 × cl 7.8 mm)
(ZSI-C 7210/2): A, overall dorsal view; B, ventral view; C, cephalothorax, frontal view; D, third
maxilliped with exopod. (For measurements, see description.)

Abortelphusa quite resembles the north Indian genus Globitelphusa (type

species, Paratelphusa (Globitelphusa) bakeri Alcock, 1909) in having a similar
looking carapace and G1 structure, but they differ in many aspects of carapace
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Fig. 4. Abortelphusa namdaphaensis gen. et sp. nov., A-B, paratype male (cw 8.6 × cl 7.8 mm) (ZSI-
C 7210/2); C-D, holotype male (cw 10.8 × cl 9.9 mm) (ZSI-C 7205/2): A, left G1, ventral view; B,
dorsal view of left G1; C, ventral view of left G1; D, dorsal view of left G1. (For measurements, see
description and fig. 5.)

morphology. The carapace is almost squarish and slightly convex in Abortelphusa

(fig. 1C, E) (vs. carapace distinctly broader than long and strongly convex in
Globitelphusa; see Alcock, 1910, fig. 30); epibranchial tooth present (figs. 1C, 3A)
(vs. no trace of epibranchial tooth; see Alcock, 1910, fig. 30); post orbital cristae
not discernible (figs. 1A, C, 3A) (vs. postorbital cristae distinct; see Bott, 1970,
pl. 33 fig. 13).
Abortelphusa, new genus, can be distinguished from Pilarta (type species,
Pilarta anuka Bahir & Yeo, 2007) by having a squarish looking carapace (figs. 1A,
C, 2A, 3A) (vs. carapace distinctly broader than long in Pilarta; see Bahir &
Yeo, 2007, fig. 26A); cervical groove indistinct (fig. 1C)) (vs. cervical groove
distinct; see Bahir & Yeo, 2007, figs. 25A, 26A); ambulatory legs with dactylus,
propodus and carpus with sparse setae (figs. 1A, 2A, 3A) (vs. ambulatory legs with
dactylus, propodus and carpus with dense setae; see Bahir & Yeo, 2007, fig. 25E);
ischium of third maxilliped with longitudinal submedian groove (figs. 1G, 3D) (vs.
longitudinal groove indistinct in Pilarta; see Bahir & Yeo, 2007, fig. 25B).
Abortelphusa can be separated from the genus Snaha (type species, Snaha
aruna Bahir & Yeo, 2007) by having almost straight lateral margins, the carapace
looks more squarish (fig. 1C) (vs. distinctly convex lateral margins with short
epibranchial tooth giving a rounded shape of the carapace in Snaha; see Bahir
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Fig. 5. Abortelphusa namdaphaensis gen. et sp. nov., holotype male (cw 10.8 × cl 9.9 mm) (ZSI-C
7205/2): A, dorsal view of left G1; B, ventral view of left G1; C, left G2. Scale bars = 1 mm.

& Yeo, 2007, figs. 26A, 28A); suture between male thoracic sternites s2/s3 and
s3/s4 is not discernible (fig. 1D) (vs. sutures between male thoracic sternites s2/s3
and s3/s4 distinct; Bahir & Yeo, 2007, figs. 28C, 29A).
Abortelphusa more resembles Snaha escheri (Roux, 1931), in several morpho-
logical characters: sqarish carapace, epibranchial tooth small, postorbital cristae
indistinct, male pleon sixth somite broader than long. However, these two species
are clearly differentiated by the following characters; carapace gently convex, dor-
sal surface pitted and with striae (fig. 1C) (vs. carapace distinctly convex, dorsal
surface smooth in Snaha escheri; see Bahir & Yeo, 2007, fig. 30A); epigastric
cristae distinct, rugose (fig. 1A, C) (vs. epigastric cristae indistinct; see Bahir &
Yeo, 2007, fig. 30A); external orbital angle narrowly triangular, outer margin rela-
tively short, epibranchial tooth distinct, blunt, cleft distinct in dorsal view (fig. 1C)
(external orbital angle broadly triangular, outer relatively broad, epibranchial tooth
very small, cleft indistinct in dorsal view; see Bahir & Yeo, 2007, fig. 30A); su-
tures between male thoracic sternite s2/s3 and s3/s4 are not discernible (fig.1D)
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 ABORTELPHUSA NAMDAPHAENSIS GEN. ET SP. NOV. 811

(vs. sutures between male thoracic sternite s2/s3 and s3/s4 distinct; see Bahir &
Yeo, 2007, fig. 29A).
Abortelphusa can be separated from Arcithelphusa (type species, Arcithelphusa
cochleariformes Pati & Sudha Devi, 2015) by the following characters, i.e.,
Abortelphusa has an only slightly convex carapace (ch/cw = 0.5) (figs. 1E, 2C,
3C) (vs. carapace highly convex (ch/cw = 0.7); see Pati & Sudha Devi, 2015,
fig. 2A, B); external orbital angle and epibranchial tooth distinct (fig. 1A) (vs.
external orbital angle and epibranchial tooth indistinct; see Pati & Sudha Devi,
2015, figs. 2A, 3A,B); male thoracic sternite sutures between s2/s3 and s3/s4 not
discernible (fig. 1D) (vs. sutures between male thoracic sternite s2/s3 and s3/s4
prominent; see Pati & Sudha Devi, 2015, figs. 2C, 3C); G1 terminal segment
slender, slightly bent outwards, tip blunt (figs. 4A-D, 5A, B) (vs. G1 terminal
segment stout, distinctly bent outwards, tip pointed; see Pati & Sudha Devi, 2015,
figs. 2D, E, 3F, G); and G2 distal segment less than half of basal segment (fig. 5C)
(vs. G2 distal segment very short, nearly 1/4 of basal segment; see Pati & Sudha
Devi, 2015, figs. 2 I, 3I).
Though Abortelphusa resembles the genus Karkata (type species, K. gha-
narakta Pati, Rajesh, Raj, Sheeja, BijuKumar & Sureshan, 2017) in some morpho-
logical characters; it differs in having a squarish carapace, cw: cl = 1.1 (figs. 1C,
2A) (vs. carapace distinctly broader than long, cw: cl = 1.3; see Pati et al. 2017,
fig. 2A); male thoracic sternite sutures between s2/s3 and s3/s4 not discernible
(figs. 1D, 3B) (vs. sutures between male thoracic sternite s2/s3 and s3/s4 is a deep
groove; see Pati et al. 2017, fig. 2G).
Abortelphusa is quite similar to another north Indian genus, Liotelphusa (type
species Telphusa laevis Wood-Mason, 1871), as both these genera have a squarish
looking carapace, the upper border of the merus of the cheliped is lacking a
subdistal tooth, the cervical groove is visible only in the posterior part of the
mesogastric area, ischium of third maxilliped with longitudinal submedian groove,
and inner margin of G1 subterminal segment is angled and sharply tapering (see
Bott, 1970, pl. 33 figs. 17-20 for L. laevis). However, Abortelphusa distinctly
differs from Liotelphusa: as the new genus lacks a flagellum on the exopodite
of the third maxilliped (figs. 1G, 3D) (vs. well developed, plumose flagellum
present on the exopodite of the third maxilliped); carapace squarish, relatively flat
and relatively rough in Abortelphusa (fig. 1C) (vs. carapace relatively broader,
more tumid and smooth); epibranchial tooth small but distinct (figs. 1C, 3A) (vs.
epibranchial tooth indiscernible) (see Alcock,1910, figs. 65, Bott, 1970, pl. 33,
fig. 17 for Liotelphusa).
Abortelphusa is more similar to Liotelphusa gagei Alcock, 1910, as both these
species have a small, almost flat to slightly convex and squarish carapace; cervical
groove not distinct, demarcated only in posterior part; frontal margin broad,
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deflexed; exopodite of third maxilliped without any plumose, well-developed

flagellum. Nevertheless, Abortelphusa distinctly differs from this species by many
morphological characters: carapace distinctly squarish in Abortelphusa (fig. 1C)
(vs. carapace relatively broader than long; see Alcock, 1910, fig. 26; Bott, 1970,
pl. 35 fig. 39); epigastric cristae high, postorbital cristae not discernible (fig. 1C)
(vs. epigastric cristae low, postorbital cristae sharp; see Alcock, 1910, fig. 26; Bott,
1970, pl. 35 fig. 39); G1 terminal segment with tip narrowly triangular, pointed
(figs. 4A, B; 5A, B) (vs. G1 terminal segment with tip blunt, truncated; see Bott,
1970, pl. 35 fig. 42)

Abortelphusa namdaphaensis sp. nov.

(figs. 1-6)
Material examined.— Holotype: adult male (cw 10.8 × cl 9.9 mm), Hornbill camp, Namdapha
Tiger Reserve, Changlang district, Arunachal Pradesh (27.54°N 96.44°E), altitude 657 m, 10 March
2017, coll. J. Saini & party (ZSI-C7205/2).
Paratypes: one non-ovigerous female (cw 12.1 × cl 10.8 mm), Deban, Namdapha Tiger Reserve,
Changlang district, Arunachal Pradesh (27.48°N 96.40°E), altitude 345 m, 3 March 2017, coll. J.
Saini & party (ZSI-C7206/2); adult male (cw 8.6 × cl 7.8 mm), collection data same as for paratype
female (ZSI-C7210/2).

Diagnosis.— See diagnosis of the genus.

Description of the male holotype.— Carapace quadrate, slightly broader than
long (cw/cl = 1.1), low (ch/cw = 0.5); dorsal surface gently convex, glabrous,
densely pitted; anterolateral margins short, slightly convex, cristate, gently conver-
gent towards posterior part; posterolateral margins long, almost straight (fig. 1A,
C); front deflexed, frontal margin concave medially, distinctly broad (fw/cw =
0.5) (fig. 1E); epigastric cristae distinct, rugose, oblique; postorbital cristae not
discernible; external orbital angle acutely triangular, outer margin slight convex,
long, ca. 2 times as long as inner margin; epibranchial tooth distinct, small, blunt,
with distinct cleft between outer margin of external orbital tooth and epibranchial
tooth; cervical grooves not distinct, demarcated only in posterior part; mesogastric
groove shallow, long, extended up to frontal region; H-shaped groove distinct; gas-
tric and protobranchial region slightly swollen, mesobranchial region low, sunken
(fig. 1A, C), supraorbital margin concave in middle, suborbital margin convex,
cristate, joining with supraorbital margin; pterygostomial region slightly rugose;
frontal median triangle incomplete, with dorsal margin only, lateral margins in-
discernible; epistome broad, posterior margin with slightly concave lateral lobes,
median tooth broadly triangular, well-developed (fig. 1E).
Eyes large, occupying most of orbital space, eye stalk robust; cornea large,
pigmented; antennular fossae narrow, transversely rectangular (fig. 1A, E).
Mandibular palp two-segmented, terminal segment bilobed; third maxillipeds
covering most of buccal cavity when closed, ischium subrectangular, longer than
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Fig. 6. Abortelphusa namdaphaensis gen. et sp. nov., holotype male (cw 10.8 × cl 9.9 mm) (ZSI-C
7205/2). Colour in life. (For measurements, see description.)

broad, submedian longitudinal groove distinct; merus pentagonal, broader than

long, sunken; exopod broader in base, gradually tapering towards terminal part,
distally blunt, slightly longer than ischium, lacking any flagellum (fig. 1G).
Chelipeds rough, subequal in length, pollex of major cheliped with 3 large
triangular teeth on its cutting edge, dactylus with 4 large triangular teeth in basal
part, tips corneous and pointed, crossing, small gape when fingers closed, dactylus
quite longer than palm; palm longer than high, outer surface smooth; carpus
rugose, upper surface sunken distomedially, with short inner distal major tooth;
merus rugose, lacking subdistal spine (fig. 1A, F).
Ambulatory legs long, slender, P3 longest; upper margins of P2-P5 meri
serrated; all margins of dactylus to carpus with short setae; upper and lower
margins of propodi and dactyli of P2-P5 with short spines; dactyli (P2-P5) slightly
curved, quite longer than propodi (fig. 1A).
Thoracic sternum smooth, glabrous, randomly pitted, suture s1/s2 visible as
small straight line; suture s2/s3 completely fused, not discernible; suture s3/s4
visible as 2 short, shallow lateral grooves (fig. 1B, D); pleonal locking mechanism
with one prominent tubercle on median part of s5; sternopleonal cavity deep, long,
reaching up to imaginary line joining anterior part of cheliped coxae (fig. 1B).
Pleon semi-triangular, with concave lateral margins, somites 2-6 trapezoidal,
somite 6 longest, broader than long (proximal width ca. 1.3 times as long as
median length), longer than preceding somites, distinctly shorter than telson,
lateral margins concave in middle; telson bell-shaped, longer than broad, with
slightly concave lateral margins, apex rounded (figs. 1B, D).
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G1 stout, subterminal segment broad in basal part, gradually slenderer towards

distal end, inner margin tapering sharply with distinct angulations; terminal
segment slender, relatively long, ca. 0.46 times as long as subterminal segment,
slightly turned outward, tip blunt, not truncate, basal 2/3 almost cylindrical,
terminal 1/3 tapering towards tip; groove for G2 medial; long plumose setae along
outer margins of subterminal segment, while a few plumose setae on inner margin;
terminal segment basal part with sparse short setae; G2 long, distal segment
filament-like, short, less than half of basal segment (figs. 4 C-D; 5A-C).
Paratypes.— The female paratype is an adult and possesses all the non-sexual
characters as in the holotype (fig. 2A) except the chelipeds, which are equal in
size (fig. 2A, B). Cleft of epibranchial tooth more prominent than in holotype male
(fig. 2A); carapace slightly broader than long (cw/cl = 1.12), height of carapace
almost half of carapace width; pleon broadly triangular in outline, covering most
of thoracic sternum (fig. 2B); pleonal somite 1 shortest, pleonal somites 2-5
progressively longer and pleonal somite 6 longest, much broader than long, slightly
longer than telson, with convex lateral margins (fig. 2B); telson broadly triangular,
much broader than long, lateral margins strongly convex (fig. 2B). Vulvae on
thoracic sternite s6 transversely oval in shape (fig. 2D).
Paratype male, almost similar to holotype male, only left cheliped broken,
though body quite smaller (cw 8.6 × cl 7.8 mm) than in male holotype; carapace
almost squarish (cw/cl = 1.12) (fig. 3A-D); G1 very similar to G1 of holotype male
(fig. 4A-B).
Colour in life.— Carapace amber yellow, branchial and lateral side of carapace
black grey, ventral part, chelipeds, and ambulatory legs amber yellow (fig. 6).
Etymology.— The specific epithet (namdaphaensis) is derived from the species’
particular collection locality ‘The Namdapha Tiger Reserve’, one of the famous
biodiversity hotspots in India and the only forest in the world, with four species
of big cats. It is an adjective referring to a geographical location, and agreeing in
gender with the (here) feminine generic name.
Type locality and distribution.— The type locality of Abortelphusa nam-
daphaensis sp. nov. is the Namdapha Tiger Reserve, located in the Changlang
district of Arunachal Pradesh, in northeast India. All specimens were collected
from primary, mixed deciduous forests with a thick canopy cover. The elevation of
the collection sites ranged from 375 to 657 m. Crabs were observed under small
rocks along dried or partially dry streams, or close to these. The crabs retreated into
their small, shallow burrows underneath rocks, when disturbed. A small potamid
freshwater crab, Teretamon kempi Mitra, Payra & Chandra, 2018, was found in
association with this gecarcinucid crab in that same habitat.
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 ABORTELPHUSA NAMDAPHAENSIS GEN. ET SP. NOV. 815

To date the new species is known only from its type locality.
Remarks.— The relationships of Abortelphusa namdaphaensis sp. nov. with
allied gecarcinucid species have already been discussed under the genus remarks.
The new genus and species have been registered with the following ZooBank
registration numbers:
Article registration no.:
urn:lsid:zoobank.org:pub:E0CE9775-F726-433A-86F9-FE80DAC792B6
Genus registration number of Abortelphusa:
urn:lsid:zoobank.org:act: 50B25831-0D1E-4156-9D75-6DB3958D8A15
Species registration number of Abortelphusa namdaphaensis:
urn:lsid:zoobank.org:act: 92EEA3E1-5933-4831-A721-21373E09E7C9

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

The author is grateful to Dr. Kailash Chandra, Director, Zoological Survey of

India, Kolkata, for his continuous encouragement, providing the research facilities
and the present materials for study. I am also deeply indebted to Prof. Peter
K. L. Ng; and Prof. Darren C. J. Yeo (Lee Kong Chian Natural History Museum,
National University of Singapore) for their continuous support and guidance
during the identification and describing of this new species. I am also grateful to
two anonymous reviewers for their constructive advice to improve this paper. I am
taking the opportunity to convey my deep felt gratitude to Dr. J. C. von Vaupel
Klein, Managing Editor, Crustaceana, for his encouragement and critically going
through the manuscript.

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First received 10 April 2020.

Final version accepted 2 July 2020.

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