Acessibilidade / Reportar erro

Potamonautes gorongosa, a new species of potamonautid freshwater crab (Decapoda, Brachyura) from Mozambique, southeastern Africa

Abstract

A new species of the freshwater crab genus Potamonautes MacLeay, 1838, is described from Gorongosa National Park in Sofala Province, Mozambique, southern Africa. Potamonautes gorongosa, new species, is morphologically and phylogenetically distinct from the other species of Potamonautes found in Mozambique and nearby countries, and is most closely related to Potamonautes mutareensis Phiri and Daniels, 2013, from eastern Zimbabwe. The new species differs from this species and its other congeners by a unique combination of morphological characters of the first gonopod, the anterior sternum, third maxilliped, and the major cheliped. Illustrations of P. gorongosa new species are provided, and differences with other species found in Mozambique and southeastern Africa are discussed.

Key words:
Afrotropical region; Gorongosa National Park; Potamonautidae; taxonomy

Introduction

The freshwater crab fauna of several countries in southern Africa is poorly known despite a number of recent contributions (Reed and Cumberlidge, 2004Reed, S.K., Cumberlidge, N. 2004. Notes on the taxonomy of Potamonautes obesus (A Milne-Edwards, 1868) and Potamonautes calcaratus (Gordon, 1929) (Brachyura: Potamoidea: Potamonautidae) from eastern and southern Africa. Zootaxa, 418: 1-20.; Cumberlidge and Tavares, 2006Cumberlidge, N. and Tavares, M. 2006. Remarks on the freshwater crabs of Angola, southwestern Africa, with the description of Potamonautes kensleyi, new species (Brachyura: Potamoidea: Potamonautidae). Journal of Crustacean Biology, 26(2): 248-257.; Cumberlidge and Daniels, 2007Cumberlidge, N., Daniels, S. R. 2007. A conservation assessment of the freshwater crabs of southern Africa (Brachyura: Potamonautidae). African Journal of Ecology 46(1): 74-79.; 2009Cumberlidge N. and Daniels S.R. 2009. The status and distribution of freshwater crabs. Chapter 6. p. 66-82. In: W.R.T. Darwall; K.G. Smith; D. Tweddle and P. Skelton (eds.), The status and distribution of freshwater biodiversity in Southern Africa. Gland, Switzerland: IUCN and Grahamstown, South Africa: SAIAB. viii+120p.; Daniels and Bayliss, 2012Daniels, S.R., Bayliss, J. 2012. Neglected refugia of biodiversity: Mountainous regions in Mozambique and Malawi yield three novel freshwater crab species (Potamonautidae: Potamonautes). Zoological Journal of the Linnean Society, 164(3): 498-509.; Phiri and Daniels, 2013Phiri, E.E., Daniels, S.R. 2013. Hidden in the highlands: the description and phylogenetic position of a novel endemic freshwater crab from Zimbabwe. Invertebrate Systematics, 27(5): 530-539.; Daniels et al., 2014Daniels, S.R.; Phiri, E.E., Bayliss, J. 2014. Renewed sampling of inland aquatic habitats in southern Africa yields two novel freshwater crab species (Decapoda: Potamonautidae: Potamonautes). Zoological Journal of the Linnean Society, 171(2): 356-369.; 2015Daniels, S.R.; Phiri, E.E.; Klaus, S.; Albrecht, A. and Cumberlidge, N. 2015. Multilocus phylogeny of the Afrotropical freshwater crab fauna reveals historical drainage connectivity and transoceanic dispersal since the Eocene. Systematic Biology, 64(4): 549-567. ) and some countries, such as Mozambique, have been overlooked until recently when it comes to biological inventories. It is therefore likely that there are still a number of species of freshwater crabs in Mozambique yet to be discovered, given its mountainous terrain and the lack of systematic survey work over the years (Cumberlidge, 1999Cumberlidge, N. 1999. The freshwater crabs of West Africa, family Potamonautidae. Faune et Flore Tropicales, 35, Éditions de l'Institut de Recherche pour le Développement, Paris p. 1-382.; Cumberlidge and Daniels, 2009Cumberlidge N. and Daniels S.R. 2009. The status and distribution of freshwater crabs. Chapter 6. p. 66-82. In: W.R.T. Darwall; K.G. Smith; D. Tweddle and P. Skelton (eds.), The status and distribution of freshwater biodiversity in Southern Africa. Gland, Switzerland: IUCN and Grahamstown, South Africa: SAIAB. viii+120p.). The specimens reported on here from the Gorongosa National Park have a number of important characters that do not conform to the descriptions of any known African species (Chace, 1953Chace, FA. 1953. Zoological results of a fifth expedition to east Africa. Bulletin of the Museum of Comparative Zoology, 110: 425-443.; Bott, 1955Bott, R. 1955. Die Süßwasserkrabben von Afrika (Crust., Decap.) und ihre Stammes- geschichte. Annales du Musée du Congo belge, (Tervuren, Belgique) C-Zoologie, (3, 3) 3(1): 209-352.; Cumberlidge, 1999Cumberlidge, N. 1999. The freshwater crabs of West Africa, family Potamonautidae. Faune et Flore Tropicales, 35, Éditions de l'Institut de Recherche pour le Développement, Paris p. 1-382.; Reed and Cumberlidge 2004Reed, S.K., Cumberlidge, N. 2004. Notes on the taxonomy of Potamonautes obesus (A Milne-Edwards, 1868) and Potamonautes calcaratus (Gordon, 1929) (Brachyura: Potamoidea: Potamonautidae) from eastern and southern Africa. Zootaxa, 418: 1-20., 2006Reed, S.K., Cumberlidge, N. 2006. Taxonomy and biogeography of the freshwater crabs of Tanzania, East Africa (Brachyura: Potamoidea: Potamonautidae, Platythelphusidae, Deckeniidae). Zootaxa, 1262: 1-139.), and proved to belong to a new species of PotamonautesMacLeay, 1838Macleay, W.S. 1838. Brachyurous decapod Crustacea. Illustrations of the Zoology of South Africa 5; being a portion of the objects of natural history chiefly collected during an expedition into the interior of South Africa, under the direction of Dr. Andrew Smith, in the years 1834, 1835, and 1836; fitted out by "The Cape of Good Hope Association for Exploring Central Africa." In: A. Smith, Illustrations of the Zoology of South Africa; Consisting Chiefly of Figures and Descriptions of the Objects of Natural History Collected During an Expedition into the Interior of South Africa, in the Years 1834, 1835, and 1836; Fitted Out by "The Cape of Good Hope Association for Exploring Central Africa." (Invertebrates), (1849): 1-75. (Smith, Elder and Co. London). [For dates of publication see Waterhouse 1880: 489-491.] (here named P. gorongosa new species) in the exclusively African freshwater crab family Potamonautidae Bott, 1970Bott, R., 1970. Betrachtungen über die Entwicklungsgeschichte und Verbreitung der Süßwasser-Krabben nach der Sammlung des Naturhistorischen Museums in Genf/Schweiz. Revue suisse de Zoologie, 77: 327-344.. The new species is described from a well-developed but still subadult male, and the taxonomically important characters of the gonopods, abdomen, mouthparts, carapace, sternum, and chelipeds are illustrated. Potamonautes gorongosa, new species, is compared with the eight other species of freshwater crabs that have been previously reported from Mozambique: Potamonautes bayonianus (Brito-Capello, 1873Brito-Capello, F. de 1873. Descripção d'uma nova specie de Telphusa d'Africa occidental. Jornal de Sciencias, Mathemáticas, Physicas e Naturaes, Lisboa, 4: 254-257.), Potamonautes bellarussusDaniels, Phiri and Bayliss, 2014Daniels, S.R.; Phiri, E.E., Bayliss, J. 2014. Renewed sampling of inland aquatic habitats in southern Africa yields two novel freshwater crab species (Decapoda: Potamonautidae: Potamonautes). Zoological Journal of the Linnean Society, 171(2): 356-369., Potamonautes calcaratus (Gordon, 1929Gordon, I. 1929. A new river-crab of the subgenus Potamonautes from Portuguese East Africa. Annals of the Magazine of Natural History, 3(10): 405-411.), Potamonautes choloensis (Chace, 1953Chace, FA. 1953. Zoological results of a fifth expedition to east Africa. Bulletin of the Museum of Comparative Zoology, 110: 425-443.), Potamonautes namuliensisDaniels and Bayliss, 2012Daniels, S.R., Bayliss, J. 2012. Neglected refugia of biodiversity: Mountainous regions in Mozambique and Malawi yield three novel freshwater crab species (Potamonautidae: Potamonautes). Zoological Journal of the Linnean Society, 164(3): 498-509., Potamonautes montivagus (Chace, 1953Chace, FA. 1953. Zoological results of a fifth expedition to east Africa. Bulletin of the Museum of Comparative Zoology, 110: 425-443.), Potamonautes obesus (A. Milne-Edwards, 1868Milne-Edwards, A. 1868.Description de quelques Crustaces nouveaux provenant des Voyages de M. Alfred Grandidier a Zanzibar et Madagascar. Nouvelles Archives du Museum d' Histoire naturelle, Paris, 4: 69-92.), and Potamonautes sidneyi (Rathbun, 1904Rathbun, M.J. 1904. Les crabes d'eau douce (Potamonidae). Nouvelles Archives du Muséum d'Histoire naturelle, Paris, 6(4): 255-312.). Potamonautes gorongosa new species, is referred to as "Potamonautes sp. 2" in Daniels et al. (2015Daniels, S.R.; Phiri, E.E.; Klaus, S.; Albrecht, A. and Cumberlidge, N. 2015. Multilocus phylogeny of the Afrotropical freshwater crab fauna reveals historical drainage connectivity and transoceanic dispersal since the Eocene. Systematic Biology, 64(4): 549-567. , table 1, fig. 2). The new species is also compared with superficially similar species found in neighboring countries that belong to the same phylogenetic lineage (such as Potamonautes mulanjeensisDaniels and Bayliss, 2012Daniels, S.R., Bayliss, J. 2012. Neglected refugia of biodiversity: Mountainous regions in Mozambique and Malawi yield three novel freshwater crab species (Potamonautidae: Potamonautes). Zoological Journal of the Linnean Society, 164(3): 498-509., from Zimbabwe, Potamonautes mutareensisPhiri and Daniels, 2013Phiri, E.E., Daniels, S.R. 2013. Hidden in the highlands: the description and phylogenetic position of a novel endemic freshwater crab from Zimbabwe. Invertebrate Systematics, 27(5): 530-539., from Malawi, and Potamonautes flavusjo, Phiri and Bayliss, 2014Daniels, S.R.; Phiri, E.E., Bayliss, J. 2014. Renewed sampling of inland aquatic habitats in southern Africa yields two novel freshwater crab species (Decapoda: Potamonautidae: Potamonautes). Zoological Journal of the Linnean Society, 171(2): 356-369., from South Africa). The molecular phylogenetic study of Daniels et al. (2015Daniels, S.R.; Phiri, E.E.; Klaus, S.; Albrecht, A. and Cumberlidge, N. 2015. Multilocus phylogeny of the Afrotropical freshwater crab fauna reveals historical drainage connectivity and transoceanic dispersal since the Eocene. Systematic Biology, 64(4): 549-567. , table 1, fig. 2) found that the nine species of freshwater crabs reported from Mozambique (Tab. 1) belong to three separate clades (lineages) within the genus Potamonautes that diverged at different times in the past, and these relationships are also discussed here.

Table 1
Updated list of the nine species of freshwater crabs from Mozambique and the phylogenetic lineage to which they belong. Potamonautes gorongosa new species, is referred to as "Potamonautes sp. 2" in Daniels et al. (2015Daniels, S.R.; Phiri, E.E.; Klaus, S.; Albrecht, A. and Cumberlidge, N. 2015. Multilocus phylogeny of the Afrotropical freshwater crab fauna reveals historical drainage connectivity and transoceanic dispersal since the Eocene. Systematic Biology, 64(4): 549-567. ). Also included are the sister species of P. gorongosa new species, from elsewhere in southern Africa. The clade column refers to clade number recovered by Daniels et al. (2015Daniels, S.R.; Phiri, E.E.; Klaus, S.; Albrecht, A. and Cumberlidge, N. 2015. Multilocus phylogeny of the Afrotropical freshwater crab fauna reveals historical drainage connectivity and transoceanic dispersal since the Eocene. Systematic Biology, 64(4): 549-567. ).

Material And Methods

The following abbreviations are used: a, abdominal segment; a5/a6, sulci between adjacent abdominal segments; asl, above sea level, CW, carapace width, the distance across the carapace at the widest point; CL, carapace length measured along the median line, from the anterior to the posterior margin; CH, carapace height, the maximum height of the cephalothorax; e, thoracic episternite; FW, front width measured along the anterior frontal margin between the orbits; G1, first gonopod; G2, second gonopod; s4/e4, s5/e5, s6/e6, s7/e7, episternal sulci between adjacent thoracic sternites and episternites; p1-p5, pereiopods 1-5; s, thoracic sternite; and s1/s2, s2/s3, s4/s5, s5/s6, s6/s7, s7/s8, sternal sulci between adjacent thoracic sternites. All measurements were made with digital calipers and are given in millimeters (mm). The terminology is adapted from Cumberlidge (1999Cumberlidge, N. 1999. The freshwater crabs of West Africa, family Potamonautidae. Faune et Flore Tropicales, 35, Éditions de l'Institut de Recherche pour le Développement, Paris p. 1-382.). The photographs were taken with a digital camera in combination with a Leitz MZ 95 adapter. Post processing was done using Adobe Photoshop 7.0.

Taxonomy

Family Potamonautidae Bott, 1970Brito-Capello, F. de 1873. Descripção d'uma nova specie de Telphusa d'Africa occidental. Jornal de Sciencias, Mathemáticas, Physicas e Naturaes, Lisboa, 4: 254-257.

Genus PotamonautesMacLeay, 1838Macleay, W.S. 1838. Brachyurous decapod Crustacea. Illustrations of the Zoology of South Africa 5; being a portion of the objects of natural history chiefly collected during an expedition into the interior of South Africa, under the direction of Dr. Andrew Smith, in the years 1834, 1835, and 1836; fitted out by "The Cape of Good Hope Association for Exploring Central Africa." In: A. Smith, Illustrations of the Zoology of South Africa; Consisting Chiefly of Figures and Descriptions of the Objects of Natural History Collected During an Expedition into the Interior of South Africa, in the Years 1834, 1835, and 1836; Fitted Out by "The Cape of Good Hope Association for Exploring Central Africa." (Invertebrates), (1849): 1-75. (Smith, Elder and Co. London). [For dates of publication see Waterhouse 1880: 489-491.]

Potamonautes gorongosa new species

(Figs. 1-2)

Potamonautes sp. 2 - Daniels et al., 2015: Pg. 553, Table 1; Pg. 558, Fig. 2. Daniels, S.R.; Phiri, E.E.; Klaus, S.; Albrecht, A. and Cumberlidge, N. 2015. Multilocus phylogeny of the Afrotropical freshwater crab fauna reveals historical drainage connectivity and transoceanic dispersal since the Eocene. Systematic Biology, 64(4): 549-567.

Material examined. Gorongosa National Park, Sofala Province, 18.47227°S 34.21411°E, 320 m asl. Holotype: male subadult (CW 25.4, CL 18.8, CH 9.0, FW 8.3), coll. P. Naskreski, 2012, Northern Michigan University museum collection (NMU PN3 2012A).

Diagnosis. Vertical sulcus on ischium of third maxilliped absent (Fig. 1B). Fixed finger of propodus of major cheliped slender with 7 distinct molars along its length (Fig. 2A, B); moveable finger of propodus of major cheliped with two large raised teeth in proximal region; first (distal) carpal tooth long, slender, pointed; second (proximal) carpal tooth less than half size of first carpal tooth, pointed, followed by several small granules; distal lower mesial margin of merus with large pointed tooth (Fig. 1A). S3/s4 deep at edges, faint in middle, not meeting tip of sternoabdominal cavity; s4/e4, s5/e5, s6/e6, s7/e7, faint, incomplete (Fig. 1C). G1 terminal article straight basally, curving outward at 60° angle to longitudinal axis of gonopod medially, tip pointed, distinctly upturned (Figs. 2C-E). G2 terminal article flagellum-like, almost as long as subterminal segment (Fig. 2F).

Figure 1
Potamonautes gorongosa, new species, male holotype (CW 25.4 mm) from Gorongosa National Park, Sofala Province, Mozambique (NMU PN 2014). A, carapace, dorsal view; B, carapace, frontal view; C, carpus and merus of right pereiopod 1 (cheliped), dorsal view. Scale bar = 8.9 mm, A-C.

Figure 2
Potamonautes gorongosa, new species, male holotype (CW 25.4 mm) from Gorongosa National Park, Sofala Province, Mozambique (NMU PN 2014). A, major cheliped; B, minor cheliped; C, right GO1, ventral view; D, right GO1, dorsal view; E, right GO1, dorsal view showing detail of terminal article; F, right GO1, ventral view. Scale bar = 2.5 mm, A, B; 6.25 mm, C-F.

Description of male holotype. Carapace transversely oval, very wide (CW/FW 3.1), medium height (CH/FW 1.1), surface texture smooth; cardiac, urogastric grooves deep, cervical grooves short, faint, transverse branchial grooves absent (Fig. 1A). Front narrow (FW/CW 0.32), deflexed (Fig. 1B). Postfrontal crest faint, complete, strongest at anterolateral margins where it meets epibranchial tooth; postorbital, epigastric crests faint (Fig. 1A). Anterolateral margin finely granulated, continuous with posterolateral margin; epibranchial tooth very small but distinct; exorbital tooth low, blunt; vertical sulcus on carapace sidewall granulated, meeting anterolateral margin at epibranchial tooth; suborbital, pterygostomial region of carapace sidewalls completely smooth; subhepatic region of sidewall with fine granules (Fig. 1B). Mandibular palp two-segmented, terminal article simple, setose; epistomial tooth triangular, deflexed, edges granulated. Third maxillipeds filling entire oral field, except for transversely oval respiratory openings at superior lateral corners; vertical sulcus of ischium of third maxilliped absent; exopod of third maxilliped reaching to lower half of merus, with long flagellum (Fig. 1B).

S1/s2 faint; s2/s3 deep, running horizontally across sternum; s3/s4 deep at edges, faint in middle, almost meeting sternoabdominal cavity; anterior margin of sternoabdominal cavity thin, low; s4/e4, s5/e5, s6/e6, s7/e7, faint, incomplete (Fig. 1C). Abdomen (pleon) slim, outline triangular, tapered, widest at a3, telson outline forming straight-sided triangle with broad base, rounded apex; s6/s7 meeting abdomen at a5/a6; s5/s6 meeting a6 one half of segment length from a6/a5 (Fig. 1C). G1 terminal article straight basally, curving outward at 60° angle to longitudinal axis of gonopod medially, tip pointed, distinctly upturned (Fig. 2C-E). G2 terminal article flagellum-like, almost as long as subterminal segment (Fig. 2F).

Dactylus of major cheliped slender, arched, closed fingers enclosing wide oval interspace; upper margin of dactylus of cheliped smooth; fixed finger of propodus of major cheliped with 5 distinct, large teeth interspersed by smaller teeth; lower margin of propodus slightly indented (Fig. 2A, B); first carpal tooth large, pointed; second carpal tooth less than half size of first carpal tooth, pointed, followed by several small granules; distal meral tooth small, pointed; superior margins of merus of cheliped lined by series of small, pointed teeth; superior surface of merus smooth, superior margin with carinae; outer face of merus smooth, lateral margin of inferior face of merus with very small teeth; inferior margin of ischium with small pointed teeth (Fig. 1A). Walking legs (p2-p5) normal length, inner margins of propodi p2-p5 smooth, dactyli of p2-p5 tapering to point, each bearing four rows of downward-pointing short, sharp spines (Fig. 1A).

Size. A medium-sized species, the male holotype has a CW of 25.4 mm.

Type locality. Mozambique: Gorongosa National Park, Sofala Province, 18.47227°S 34.21411°E, 320 m above sea level (asl) (NMU PN3 2012A).

Etymology. The new species is named for Gorongosa National Park in Mozambique, the only place that it is known to occur (so far).

Distribution.Potamonautes gorongosa, new species, is known from one locality in Gorongosa National Park in Mozambique. This is a 4,000 km2 park at the southern end of the Rift Valley in central Mozambique, and includes Mount Gorongosa (1,863 m asl) where P. gorongosa was collected. The Gorongosa National Park dominates the Gorongosa District in Sofala Province of Mozambique.

Habitat. The freshwater crabs reported on in the present study were collected by the second author from Sofala Province in Mozambique, in highland and montane fresh waters where the vegetation type is predominantly savanna with fast-flowing mountain streams and rivers. This narrow 450 km long area lies within the Eastern Zimbabwe Highlands ecoregion in southeastern Africa along the eastern border of Zimbabwe with Mozambique and includes the Nyanga and Chimanimani mountains whose rivers drain eastwards through Mozambique (Thieme et al., 2005Thieme, M.L.; Abell, R.A.; Stiassny, M.J.L.; Skelton, P.A.; Lehner, B.; Teugels, G.G.; Dinerstein, E.; Toham, A.K.; Burgess, N. and Olson, D. 2005. Freshwater ecoregions of Africa and Madagascar: A conservation assessment. Washington, D.C., Island Press, xxi-431p.; Abell et al., 2008Abell, R.; Thieme, M.L.; Revenga, C.; Bryer, M.; Kottelat, M.; Bogutskaya, N.; Coad, B.; Mandrak, N.; Balderas, S.C.; Bussing, W.; Stiassny, M.J.L.; Skelton, P.A.; Allen, G.R.; Unmack, P.; Naseka, A.; Ng, R.; Sindorf, N.; Robertson, J.; Armijo, E.; Higgins, J.V.; Heibel, T.J.; Wikramanayake, E.; Olson, D.; López, H.L.; Reis, R.E.; Lundberg, J.G.; Pérez, M.H.S. and Petry, P. 2008. Freshwater ecoregions of the world: A new map of biogeographic units for freshwater biodiversity conservation. BioScience, 58(5): 403-414.). The known locality for P. gorongosa lies in the Zambezian lowveld freshwater ecoregion that comprises most of western and northern Mozambique and extends from south of the Zambezi delta in central Mozambique southwards to the Tugela River system in South Africa (Thieme et al., 2005Thieme, M.L.; Abell, R.A.; Stiassny, M.J.L.; Skelton, P.A.; Lehner, B.; Teugels, G.G.; Dinerstein, E.; Toham, A.K.; Burgess, N. and Olson, D. 2005. Freshwater ecoregions of Africa and Madagascar: A conservation assessment. Washington, D.C., Island Press, xxi-431p.; Abell et al., 2008Abell, R.; Thieme, M.L.; Revenga, C.; Bryer, M.; Kottelat, M.; Bogutskaya, N.; Coad, B.; Mandrak, N.; Balderas, S.C.; Bussing, W.; Stiassny, M.J.L.; Skelton, P.A.; Allen, G.R.; Unmack, P.; Naseka, A.; Ng, R.; Sindorf, N.; Robertson, J.; Armijo, E.; Higgins, J.V.; Heibel, T.J.; Wikramanayake, E.; Olson, D.; López, H.L.; Reis, R.E.; Lundberg, J.G.; Pérez, M.H.S. and Petry, P. 2008. Freshwater ecoregions of the world: A new map of biogeographic units for freshwater biodiversity conservation. BioScience, 58(5): 403-414.). This species was collected with P. obesus a semi-terrestrial burrowing freshwater crab found in the coastal belt of eastern Africa from Kenya to Mozambique (Reed and Cumberlidge, 2004Reed, S.K., Cumberlidge, N. 2004. Notes on the taxonomy of Potamonautes obesus (A Milne-Edwards, 1868) and Potamonautes calcaratus (Gordon, 1929) (Brachyura: Potamoidea: Potamonautidae) from eastern and southern Africa. Zootaxa, 418: 1-20.). The report of P. obesus from western Mozambique is a new record for this species in this part of the country.

Remarks. Afrotropical freshwater crabs undergo morphological changes as they grow and while most of this growth is isometric, some parts of their body (notably the major cheliped and the gonopods of males and pleopods of females) grow allometrically. Freshwater crabs start life as juveniles, then progress to subadults, and finally become reproductive adults after passing through the pubertal moult (Cumberlidge, 1999Cumberlidge, N. 1999. The freshwater crabs of West Africa, family Potamonautidae. Faune et Flore Tropicales, 35, Éditions de l'Institut de Recherche pour le Développement, Paris p. 1-382.). The specimen of P. gorongosa new species, is judged here to be a subadult following comparisons with congeneric species such as P. mulanjeensis, P. mutareensis, and P. flavusjo (whose adults are between CW 30-34.8 mm) (Daniels and Bayliss, 2012Daniels, S.R., Bayliss, J. 2012. Neglected refugia of biodiversity: Mountainous regions in Mozambique and Malawi yield three novel freshwater crab species (Potamonautidae: Potamonautes). Zoological Journal of the Linnean Society, 164(3): 498-509.; Phiri and Daniels, 2013Phiri, E.E., Daniels, S.R. 2013. Hidden in the highlands: the description and phylogenetic position of a novel endemic freshwater crab from Zimbabwe. Invertebrate Systematics, 27(5): 530-539.; Daniels et al., 2014Daniels, S.R.; Phiri, E.E., Bayliss, J. 2014. Renewed sampling of inland aquatic habitats in southern Africa yields two novel freshwater crab species (Decapoda: Potamonautidae: Potamonautes). Zoological Journal of the Linnean Society, 171(2): 356-369.). This indicates that although the specimen of the new species is a subadult, it is nevertheless of a body size that will soon undergo the pubertal moult. This distinction is important when considering the utility of taxonomic characters of freshwater crabs, although most of the morphological characters commonly used for taxonomy (such as those of the third maxilliped, thoracic sternum, mandible, the merus and carpus of the cheliped, and the number and size of the teeth on the cutting edges of the cheliped fingers) undergo isometric growth and are not likely to be significantly different in subadults and adults. On the other hand, characters of the gonopods and major cheliped that grow allometrically are more developed in adults than in subadults. The subadult of the new species is well-developed and close to the pubertal moult, and so the gonopods would not be expected to develop a radically different form from those described here even after the next moult. This is supported by the observations that the gonopods of P. gorongosa new species (Fig. 2C-F) are similar in most respects to those of the three genetically close species (P. mulanjeensis, P. mutareensis, and P. flavusjo that are adult at CW 30.7 mm, 34.8 mm, and CW 34.8 mm respectively) (Daniels and Bayliss, 2012Daniels, S.R., Bayliss, J. 2012. Neglected refugia of biodiversity: Mountainous regions in Mozambique and Malawi yield three novel freshwater crab species (Potamonautidae: Potamonautes). Zoological Journal of the Linnean Society, 164(3): 498-509.; Phiri and Daniels, 2013Phiri, E.E., Daniels, S.R. 2013. Hidden in the highlands: the description and phylogenetic position of a novel endemic freshwater crab from Zimbabwe. Invertebrate Systematics, 27(5): 530-539.; Daniels et al., 2014Daniels, S.R.; Phiri, E.E., Bayliss, J. 2014. Renewed sampling of inland aquatic habitats in southern Africa yields two novel freshwater crab species (Decapoda: Potamonautidae: Potamonautes). Zoological Journal of the Linnean Society, 171(2): 356-369.). The same cannot be said of the fingers of the chelipeds of P. gorongosa new species, because although its major cheliped is enlarged in comparison with the minor cheliped (Fig. 2A, B), the major cheliped still lacks the dramatically curving dactylus and wide oval interspace enclosed by the closed fingers of adult males of P. mulanjeensis, P. mutareensis, and P. flavusjo (see Daniels and Bayliss, 2012Daniels, S.R., Bayliss, J. 2012. Neglected refugia of biodiversity: Mountainous regions in Mozambique and Malawi yield three novel freshwater crab species (Potamonautidae: Potamonautes). Zoological Journal of the Linnean Society, 164(3): 498-509.; Phiri and Daniels, 2013Phiri, E.E., Daniels, S.R. 2013. Hidden in the highlands: the description and phylogenetic position of a novel endemic freshwater crab from Zimbabwe. Invertebrate Systematics, 27(5): 530-539.; Daniels et al., 2014Daniels, S.R.; Phiri, E.E., Bayliss, J. 2014. Renewed sampling of inland aquatic habitats in southern Africa yields two novel freshwater crab species (Decapoda: Potamonautidae: Potamonautes). Zoological Journal of the Linnean Society, 171(2): 356-369.).

Potamonautes gorongosa new species, is referred to as "Potamonautes sp. 2" in Daniels et al. (2015, table 1, fig. 2Daniels, S.R.; Phiri, E.E.; Klaus, S.; Albrecht, A. and Cumberlidge, N. 2015. Multilocus phylogeny of the Afrotropical freshwater crab fauna reveals historical drainage connectivity and transoceanic dispersal since the Eocene. Systematic Biology, 64(4): 549-567. ). Phylogenetically, P. gorongosa, new species, was found to be distinct from all other species in the large Afrotropical genus Potamonautes based on mtDNA and nDNA evidence, and it is most closely related to several species that share the same lineage ("Clade 3" in Daniels et al., 2015, fig. 2Daniels, S.R.; Phiri, E.E.; Klaus, S.; Albrecht, A. and Cumberlidge, N. 2015. Multilocus phylogeny of the Afrotropical freshwater crab fauna reveals historical drainage connectivity and transoceanic dispersal since the Eocene. Systematic Biology, 64(4): 549-567. ) such as P. mutareensis (from Zimbabwe, misspelt as "P. mutariensis" in Daniels et al., 2015: table 1 and fig. 2Daniels, S.R.; Phiri, E.E.; Klaus, S.; Albrecht, A. and Cumberlidge, N. 2015. Multilocus phylogeny of the Afrotropical freshwater crab fauna reveals historical drainage connectivity and transoceanic dispersal since the Eocene. Systematic Biology, 64(4): 549-567. ), P. mulanjeensis (from Malawi), and P. flavusjo (from South Africa). The G1 terminal article of P. gorongosa new species closely resembles that of all three of these species (straight basally, medially curving outward at a 60° angle to the longitudinal axis of gonopod, and ending in a pointed and distinctly upturned tip) and it would be difficult to distinguish these taxa on this character alone. Fortunately, P. gorongosa new species, can be distinguished from P. mutareensis as follows (Phiri and Daniels, 2013Phiri, E.E., Daniels, S.R. 2013. Hidden in the highlands: the description and phylogenetic position of a novel endemic freshwater crab from Zimbabwe. Invertebrate Systematics, 27(5): 530-539.): the vertical sulcus of the ischium of the third maxilliped is absent (vs. deep in P. mutareensis), the anterolateral margin of the carapace is smooth (vs. granulated in P. mutareensis), and s3/s4 is deep at edges, faint in the middle, and does not meet the tip of the sternoabdominal cavity (vs. complete, deep and meeting the tip of the sternoabdominal cavity in P. mutareensis). Potamonautes gorongosa, new species, can be distinguished from P. mulanjeensis as follows (Daniels and Bayliss, 2012Daniels, S.R., Bayliss, J. 2012. Neglected refugia of biodiversity: Mountainous regions in Mozambique and Malawi yield three novel freshwater crab species (Potamonautidae: Potamonautes). Zoological Journal of the Linnean Society, 164(3): 498-509.): the vertical sulcus of the ischium of the third maxilliped is absent (vs. distinct in P. mulanjeensis), and s3/s4 is incomplete and deep only at the margins (vs. complete and deep throughout in P. mulanjeensis). Potamonautes gorongosa, new species, can be distinguished from P. flavusjo as follows (Daniels et al., 2014Daniels, S.R.; Phiri, E.E., Bayliss, J. 2014. Renewed sampling of inland aquatic habitats in southern Africa yields two novel freshwater crab species (Decapoda: Potamonautidae: Potamonautes). Zoological Journal of the Linnean Society, 171(2): 356-369.): the vertical sulcus of the ischium of the third maxilliped is absent (vs. distinct in P. flavusjo) and s3/s4 is incomplete and deep only at the margins (vs. complete and deep throughout in P. flavusjo).

Potamonautes gorongosa, new species, is easily distinguished from other species of freshwater crabs found in Mozambique (P. namuliensis, P. bellarussus, P. calcaratus, and P. obesus) both phylogenetically (Daniels et al., 2015, fig. 2Daniels, S.R.; Phiri, E.E.; Klaus, S.; Albrecht, A. and Cumberlidge, N. 2015. Multilocus phylogeny of the Afrotropical freshwater crab fauna reveals historical drainage connectivity and transoceanic dispersal since the Eocene. Systematic Biology, 64(4): 549-567. ) because all are in different lineages from P. gorongosa, and morphologically (Reed and Cumberlidge, 2004Reed, S.K., Cumberlidge, N. 2004. Notes on the taxonomy of Potamonautes obesus (A Milne-Edwards, 1868) and Potamonautes calcaratus (Gordon, 1929) (Brachyura: Potamoidea: Potamonautidae) from eastern and southern Africa. Zootaxa, 418: 1-20.; 2006Reed, S.K., Cumberlidge, N. 2006. Taxonomy and biogeography of the freshwater crabs of Tanzania, East Africa (Brachyura: Potamoidea: Potamonautidae, Platythelphusidae, Deckeniidae). Zootaxa, 1262: 1-139.; Daniels and Bayliss, 2012Daniels, S.R., Bayliss, J. 2012. Neglected refugia of biodiversity: Mountainous regions in Mozambique and Malawi yield three novel freshwater crab species (Potamonautidae: Potamonautes). Zoological Journal of the Linnean Society, 164(3): 498-509.; Daniels et al., 2014Daniels, S.R.; Phiri, E.E., Bayliss, J. 2014. Renewed sampling of inland aquatic habitats in southern Africa yields two novel freshwater crab species (Decapoda: Potamonautidae: Potamonautes). Zoological Journal of the Linnean Society, 171(2): 356-369.). For example, P. gorongosa, new species, can be distinguished from P. calcaratus and P. obesus from Mozambique as follows (Reed and Cumberlidge, 2004Reed, S.K., Cumberlidge, N. 2004. Notes on the taxonomy of Potamonautes obesus (A Milne-Edwards, 1868) and Potamonautes calcaratus (Gordon, 1929) (Brachyura: Potamoidea: Potamonautidae) from eastern and southern Africa. Zootaxa, 418: 1-20.): the carapace is of medium height in the stream-living P. gorongosa (CH/FW = 1.1) (vs. highly vaulted in the semi-terrestrial burrowing crabs P. calcaratus and P. obesus, CH/FW = 1.2 and 1.3 respectively), and the dactylus of the major cheliped is slim and arched (vs. broadly flattened and high, an adaptation for burrowing in P. calcaratus and P. obesus), and the anterolateral margin of the carapace is smooth (vs. armed with a small sharp single spine in P. calcaratus and P. obesus). Potamonautes gorongosa, new species, can be distinguished from P. bellarussus as follows (Daniels et al., 2014Daniels, S.R.; Phiri, E.E., Bayliss, J. 2014. Renewed sampling of inland aquatic habitats in southern Africa yields two novel freshwater crab species (Decapoda: Potamonautidae: Potamonautes). Zoological Journal of the Linnean Society, 171(2): 356-369.): the anterolateral margin of the carapace is smooth (vs. granulated in P. bellarussus), the exorbital tooth is small (vs. large and in P. bellarussus), and the carapace is of medium height (CH/FW = 1.1) (vs. flattened in P. bellarussus CH/FW = 0.97). Finally, P. gorongosa, new species, can be distinguished from P. namuliensis as follows (Daniels and Bayliss, 2012Daniels, S.R., Bayliss, J. 2012. Neglected refugia of biodiversity: Mountainous regions in Mozambique and Malawi yield three novel freshwater crab species (Potamonautidae: Potamonautes). Zoological Journal of the Linnean Society, 164(3): 498-509.): thoracic sternal sulcus s3/s4 is incomplete and deep only at the margins (vs. complete and deep throughout in P. namuliensis), the postfrontal crest is incomplete but distinct (vs. very faint throughout in P. namuliensis), the dactylus and propodus of the cheliped are slightly arched with several large and medium sized teeth (vs. highly arched and lacking any conspicuous teeth in P. namuliensis), and the tip of the G1 terminal article is curved upward (vs. a straight uncurved tip in P. namuliensis).

Acknowledgements

This species is dedicated to the memory of Dr. Michael Türkay for his numerous contributions to the taxonomy of decapod crustaceans that includes many important publications on freshwater crabs. Michael Türkay was also a valued friend and colleague who will be missed by the whole scientific community. Liz Hoensen of the Iziko South African Museum in Cape Town South Africa is thanked warmly for her hospitality during visits by the first author to examine type material of the many South African species of Potamonautes used in this study. Harrison Moynihan is thanked for his many useful contributions during the development of this work.

References

  • Abell, R.; Thieme, M.L.; Revenga, C.; Bryer, M.; Kottelat, M.; Bogutskaya, N.; Coad, B.; Mandrak, N.; Balderas, S.C.; Bussing, W.; Stiassny, M.J.L.; Skelton, P.A.; Allen, G.R.; Unmack, P.; Naseka, A.; Ng, R.; Sindorf, N.; Robertson, J.; Armijo, E.; Higgins, J.V.; Heibel, T.J.; Wikramanayake, E.; Olson, D.; López, H.L.; Reis, R.E.; Lundberg, J.G.; Pérez, M.H.S. and Petry, P. 2008. Freshwater ecoregions of the world: A new map of biogeographic units for freshwater biodiversity conservation. BioScience, 58(5): 403-414.
  • Bott, R. 1955. Die Süßwasserkrabben von Afrika (Crust., Decap.) und ihre Stammes- geschichte. Annales du Musée du Congo belge, (Tervuren, Belgique) C-Zoologie, (3, 3) 3(1): 209-352.
  • Bott, R., 1970. Betrachtungen über die Entwicklungsgeschichte und Verbreitung der Süßwasser-Krabben nach der Sammlung des Naturhistorischen Museums in Genf/Schweiz. Revue suisse de Zoologie, 77: 327-344.
  • Brito-Capello, F. de 1873. Descripção d'uma nova specie de Telphusa d'Africa occidental. Jornal de Sciencias, Mathemáticas, Physicas e Naturaes, Lisboa, 4: 254-257.
  • Chace, FA. 1953. Zoological results of a fifth expedition to east Africa. Bulletin of the Museum of Comparative Zoology, 110: 425-443.
  • Cumberlidge, N. 1999. The freshwater crabs of West Africa, family Potamonautidae. Faune et Flore Tropicales, 35, Éditions de l'Institut de Recherche pour le Développement, Paris p. 1-382.
  • Cumberlidge, N., Daniels, S. R. 2007. A conservation assessment of the freshwater crabs of southern Africa (Brachyura: Potamonautidae). African Journal of Ecology 46(1): 74-79.
  • Cumberlidge N. and Daniels S.R. 2009. The status and distribution of freshwater crabs. Chapter 6. p. 66-82. In: W.R.T. Darwall; K.G. Smith; D. Tweddle and P. Skelton (eds.), The status and distribution of freshwater biodiversity in Southern Africa. Gland, Switzerland: IUCN and Grahamstown, South Africa: SAIAB. viii+120p.
  • Cumberlidge, N. and Tavares, M. 2006. Remarks on the freshwater crabs of Angola, southwestern Africa, with the description of Potamonautes kensleyi, new species (Brachyura: Potamoidea: Potamonautidae). Journal of Crustacean Biology, 26(2): 248-257.
  • Daniels, S.R., Bayliss, J. 2012. Neglected refugia of biodiversity: Mountainous regions in Mozambique and Malawi yield three novel freshwater crab species (Potamonautidae: Potamonautes). Zoological Journal of the Linnean Society, 164(3): 498-509.
  • Daniels, S.R.; Phiri, E.E., Bayliss, J. 2014. Renewed sampling of inland aquatic habitats in southern Africa yields two novel freshwater crab species (Decapoda: Potamonautidae: Potamonautes). Zoological Journal of the Linnean Society, 171(2): 356-369.
  • Daniels, S.R.; Phiri, E.E.; Klaus, S.; Albrecht, A. and Cumberlidge, N. 2015. Multilocus phylogeny of the Afrotropical freshwater crab fauna reveals historical drainage connectivity and transoceanic dispersal since the Eocene. Systematic Biology, 64(4): 549-567.
  • Gordon, I. 1929. A new river-crab of the subgenus Potamonautes from Portuguese East Africa. Annals of the Magazine of Natural History, 3(10): 405-411.
  • Macleay, W.S. 1838. Brachyurous decapod Crustacea. Illustrations of the Zoology of South Africa 5; being a portion of the objects of natural history chiefly collected during an expedition into the interior of South Africa, under the direction of Dr. Andrew Smith, in the years 1834, 1835, and 1836; fitted out by "The Cape of Good Hope Association for Exploring Central Africa." In: A. Smith, Illustrations of the Zoology of South Africa; Consisting Chiefly of Figures and Descriptions of the Objects of Natural History Collected During an Expedition into the Interior of South Africa, in the Years 1834, 1835, and 1836; Fitted Out by "The Cape of Good Hope Association for Exploring Central Africa." (Invertebrates), (1849): 1-75. (Smith, Elder and Co. London). [For dates of publication see Waterhouse 1880: 489-491.]
  • Milne-Edwards, A. 1868.Description de quelques Crustaces nouveaux provenant des Voyages de M. Alfred Grandidier a Zanzibar et Madagascar. Nouvelles Archives du Museum d' Histoire naturelle, Paris, 4: 69-92.
  • Phiri, E.E., Daniels, S.R. 2013. Hidden in the highlands: the description and phylogenetic position of a novel endemic freshwater crab from Zimbabwe. Invertebrate Systematics, 27(5): 530-539.
  • Rathbun, M.J. 1904. Les crabes d'eau douce (Potamonidae). Nouvelles Archives du Muséum d'Histoire naturelle, Paris, 6(4): 255-312.
  • Reed, S.K., Cumberlidge, N. 2004. Notes on the taxonomy of Potamonautes obesus (A Milne-Edwards, 1868) and Potamonautes calcaratus (Gordon, 1929) (Brachyura: Potamoidea: Potamonautidae) from eastern and southern Africa. Zootaxa, 418: 1-20.
  • Reed, S.K., Cumberlidge, N. 2006. Taxonomy and biogeography of the freshwater crabs of Tanzania, East Africa (Brachyura: Potamoidea: Potamonautidae, Platythelphusidae, Deckeniidae). Zootaxa, 1262: 1-139.
  • Thieme, M.L.; Abell, R.A.; Stiassny, M.J.L.; Skelton, P.A.; Lehner, B.; Teugels, G.G.; Dinerstein, E.; Toham, A.K.; Burgess, N. and Olson, D. 2005. Freshwater ecoregions of Africa and Madagascar: A conservation assessment. Washington, D.C., Island Press, xxi-431p.
  • 1
    This article is part of the tribute offered by the Brazilian Crustacean Society in memoriam of Michael Türkay for his outstanding contribution to Carcinology.
  • 2
    Guest Editor: Célio Magalhães

Publication Dates

  • Publication in this collection
    2016

History

  • Received
    25 Aug 2016
  • Accepted
    16 Nov 2016
Sociedade Brasileira de Carcinologia Instituto de Biociências, UNESP, Campus Botucatu, Rua Professor Doutor Antônio Celso Wagner Zanin, 250 , Botucatu, SP, 18618-689 - Botucatu - SP - Brazil
E-mail: editor.nauplius@gmail.com