The freshwater crabs of Danum Valley Conservation Area in Sabah, East Malaysia, with a description of a new species of Thelphusula Bott, 1969 (Crustacea, Brachyura, Gecarcinucidae, Potamidae, Sesarmidae)

Abstract

Seven species of freshwater crabs from three families are recorded from and around the Danum Valley Conservation Area in Sabah, Malaysian Borneo: Thelphusula capillodigitus sp. n., Thelphusula dicerophilus Ng & Stuebing, 1990, Arachnothelphusa terrapes Ng, 1991, Terrathelphusa secula Ng & Tan, 2015, Parathelphusa valida Ng & Goh, 1987 (new record) (Gecarcinucidae); Isolapotamon ingeri Ng & Tan, 1998 (Potamidae); and Geosesarma danumense Ng, 2002 (Sesarmidae). The new species of Thelphusula Bott, 1979, can be distinguished from all congeners by a unique combination of morphological features, most notably the presence of dense patches of short setae on the fingers of the adult male chelipeds, as well as the structure of the male first gonopod. Arachnothelphusa terrapes is confirmed to be a phytotelm species. A key to all species in the conservation area is provided.