A new species of the freshwater crab genus Ghatiana Pati and Sharma, 2014 (Brachyura: Gecarcinucidae) from the Central Western Ghats, India

Abstract

Abstract A new species of the freshwater crab genus Ghatiana Pati and Sharma, 2014, is recognized herein from the Karnataka State, India. Ghatiana dvivarna sp. nov. usually inhabits holes in the laterite rocks on the elevated mountains of the Central Western Ghats (south of Goa-Nilgiris). The predominantly white color in life and the characteristic smaller eyes relative to the orbits of the new species easily distinguish it from congeners. Ghatiana dvivarna sp. nov. most resembles Ghatiana pulchra Pati and Thackeray, 2018, but can be differentiated mainly by its relatively more slender terminal segment of the male first gonopod. Ghatiana currently comprises 11 species, now including Ghatiana dvivarna sp. nov.

Keywords

• Crustacea
• Decapoda
• Gecarcinucoidea
• Karnataka
• Oriental region
• taxonomy