A NEW CORAL BURROWER, UPOGEBIA TRYPETA SP. NOV. (CRUSTACEA, THALASSINIDEA) COLLECTED FROM AMAMI-OSHIMA, JAPAN

Abstract

During the trip to Amami-Oshima Island in 1966, some specimens of a species of the genus Upogebia were found inside a large coral block. This species is closely allied to Upogebia sp. a DE MAN, 1928 from the Fau-anchorage and lagune, west coast of Gebe-island, 31 m deep, coral. However, it shows some unique features which are seemingly of a specific significance, although it is not impossible that the abovementioned peculiar habitat of the present specimens has brought some morphological modification. Leaving this question for future studies, here the author is going to describe the species as a new species, Upogebia trypeta sp. nov. Acknowledgements: The author wishes to note here with his hearty thanks that the travel to Amami-Oshima was assisted by a grant from the Japan Association for the Advancement of Science. Thanks are also presented to Dr. T. TOKIOKA of the Seto Marine Biological Laboratory for advices.