The Hillstream Decapod Crustaceans of Shenzhen, China, with Description of a New Species of Freshwater Crab (Crustacea: Brachyura: Potamidae) in the Genus Megapleonum Huang, Shih & Ahyong, 2018.

Abstract

Freshwater decapod crustaceans are often ecologically important keystone species in their habitats. The freshwater hillstream decapods of Shenzhen City, Guangdong, China, were systematically surveyed for the first time from June to September 2019. We identified a total of 19 decapod species from 10 genera and six families. Of these, one Macrobrachium species and one potamid species could not be assigned to any known species. The latter clearly belongs to the monotypic genus Megapleonum Huang, Shih & Ahyong, 2018, and resembles the type species M. ehuangzhang in general external morphology. Striking differences in male gonopodal morphology along with genetic evidence based on mitochondrial 16S rDNA sequences strongly suggest that this species is distinct from the type species and it is herein described as Megapleonum shenzhen n. sp. Our survey data sheds light on the biodiversity of hillstream decapods in Shenzhen and highlights areas of conservation interest.