ON TWO NEW SPECIES OF PALAEMONID SHRIMPS FROM TANABE BAY, KII PENINSULA, JAPAN (CRUSTACEA, DECAPODA, PALAEMONIDAE)

Abstract

From the collection of shrimps recently obtained in the shallow waters of Tanabe Bay, Kii Peninsula we sorted out some interesting palaemonid shrimps. After a careful examination, they proved to be referable to two new species, Leandrites cyrtorhynchus of the subfamily Palaemoninae and Periclimenes (Periclimenes) setoensis of Pontoniinae. Although the genus Leandrites HOLTHUIS has been recorded from South India and the Malay Archipelago it is here first added to the palaemonid fauna of Japan, in which only three genera of the Palaemoninae, Palaemon FABRICIUS, Leander DESMAREST and Macrobrachium BATE, are well known. Regarding the latter pontoniid shrimp, Periclimenes (Periclimenes) setoensis, its habit was to some extent made clear; the specimens examined were found living in close association with an alcyonarian. This fact is worthy to be noted because only a few pontoniid shrimps have been known to be associated with this host animal. These type specimens are deposited in the Zoological Laboratory of Kyushu University (ZLKU) and the museum of the Seto Marine Biological Laboratory (SMBL). It is a pleasure to thank PROF. Huzio UTINOMI and Mr. Chuichi ARAGA of the Seto Marine Biological Laboratory, for the opportunity to examine their valuable material.