Chia-Wei Lin

A New Squat Lobster of the Genus Raymunida (Decapoda: Galatheidae) from Taiwan

Abstract The galatheid genus Raymunida Macpherson and Machordom, 2000, is reported for the first time from Taiwan, and the species collected is also new to science. The new species is most closely related to R. confundens Macpherson and Machordom, 2001, but differs in having a more robust cheliped and walking legs covered with distinct squammae. The coloration of the new species is probably unique in the genus by both the carapace and abdomen being uniform in color. Analysis of the mitochondrial cytochrome oxidase I gene sequences also supports the specific status of this Taiwanese form.

A new species of Munidopsis (Crustacea: Decapoda: Galatheidae) from deep waters off Taiwan

ABSTRACT A new galatheid crustacean, Munidopsis latiangulata, is described on the basis of a single specimen collected from deep waters off Taiwan. This new species is close to M. orcina McArdle, 1901, but is distinguished by the nearly horizontal rostrum lacking a distinct dorsal, longitudinal ridge and by having a telson composed of ten instead of eight plates. Munidopsis latiangulata is the fifth species of the genus recorded from Taiwan.

A new Munidopsis (Crustacea: Decapoda: Galatheidae) associated with gorgonian corals from the deep waters off Taiwan

ABSTRACT Munidopsis sarissa, a new galatheid crustacean associated with gorgonian corals, is described from Taiwan at depths of about 1000 m. This new species is unique in the genus by having an extremely spinose carapace with elongated spearhead-like rostrum, fourth thoracic sternite much larger than following sternites, and very long and slender chelipeds possessing broad coxae which are clearly visible from the dorsal view of the animal.

A new squat lobster, Munida rupicola (Crustacea: Decapoda: Galatheidae), from Taiwan

ABSTRACT A new squat lobster of the genus Munida was collected during on-going deep-sea expeditions around Taiwan. The new species, Munida rupicola, belongs to the group containing M. microps Alcock, 1894, M. africana Balss, 1913, M. profunda Macpherson & de Saint Laurent, 1991, M. rubella Macpherson & de Saint Laurent, 1991, and M. rubrovata Macpherson & de Saint Laurent, 1991, but is distinct in the combination of the following characters: carapace lacking secondary striae, supraocular spines subparallel, distomesial spine of the second antennal segment not overreaching antennal peduncle, merus of third maxilliped with three marginal spines on flexor margin, and the carpus of cheliped slightly more than 2.5 times as long as wide. The coloration of this new species is illustrated.

Community Structure of Macrobiota and Environmental Parameters in Shallow Water Hydrothermal Vents off Kueishan Island, Taiwan.

Hydrothermal vents represent a unique habitat in the marine ecosystem characterized with high water temperature and toxic acidic chemistry. Vents are distributed at depths ranging from a few meters to several thousand meters. The biological communities of shallow-water vents have, however, been insufficiently studied in most biogeographic areas. We attempted to characterize the macrofauna and macroflora community inhabiting the shallow-water vents off Kueishan Island, Taiwan, to identify the main abiotic factors shaping the community structure and the species distribution. We determined that positively buoyant vent fluid exhibits a more pronounced negative impact to species on the surface water than on the bottom layer. Species richness increased with horizontal distance from the vent, and continuing for a distance of 2000 m, indicating that the vent fluid may exert a negative impact over several kilometers. The community structure off Kueishan Island displayed numerous transitions along the horizontal gradient, which were broadly congruent with changes in environmental conditions. Combination of variation in Ca2+, Cl-, temperature, pH and depth were revealed to show the strongest correlation with the change in benthic community structure, suggesting multiple factors of vent fluid were influencing the associated fauna. Only the vent crabs of Kueishan Island may have an obligated relationship with vents and inhabit the vent mouths because other fauna found nearby are opportunistic taxa that are more tolerant to acidic and toxic environments.

First record of the rare lobster Palinurellus wieneckii (De Man, 1881) (Decapoda, Achelata, Palinuridae) from Taiwan

The furry lobster, Palinurellus wieneckii (De Man, 1881), is reported from Taiwan for the first time. A line illustration and colour photographs are provided for the Taiwanese material of this rare lobster.

First Record of the Hairy Squat Lobster Genus Lauriea Baba, 1971 (Crustacea: Decapoda: Anomura: Galatheidae) from Kenting, Southern Taiwan

The shallow water squat lobster genus Lauriea Baba, 1971 is reported for the first time from Taiwan. The three specimens collected from Kenting, southern Taiwan belong to Lauriea siagiani Baba, 1994. Lauriea siagiani is very distinctive by its striking coloration and having dense long plumose setae on the body. Its report in Taiwan fills the gap of geographical distribution of this species from Indonesia to Japan.