A New Species Of Crayfish (Crustacea : Decapoda : Cambaridae) From Lake Catemaco, Veracruz, Mexico

7 Pages·2000·2.2 MB·English

by  Y Rojas

PROCEEDINGS OF THE BIOLOGICAL SOCIETY OF WASHINGTON
113(3):792-798. 2000.
A new species of crayfish (Crustacea: Decapoda: Cambaridae) from
Lake Catemaco, Veracruz, Mexico
Yolanda Rojas, Fernando Alvarez, and Jose Luis Villalobos
Coleccion Nacional de Crustaceos, Institute de Biologia,
Universidad Nacional Autonoma de Mexico, Apartado Postal 70-153, Mexico 04510, D.F.,
Mexico
—
Abstract. Procambarus {Austrocambarus) catemacoensis, a new species of
crayfish, is described from Lake Catemaco, Veracruz, Mexico. The new species
is morphologically similar to P. (A.) acanthophorus Villalobos, 1948, from
which it can be distinguished by having two or three spines on the anterior
border of the carapace, an obliterated areola, smaller and separated spines in
the cervical groove, second segment of the antennal peduncle with a spine,
gonopod of form I male with bladelike mesial process curved over the lateral
border, and annulus ventralis trapezoidal.
Procambarus {Austrocambarus) acan- Procambarus {Austrocambarus)
thophorus Villalobos, 1948, was described catemacoensis, new species
from "El Castillo", a locality 4 km west Figs. 1-2
of Tuxtepec, Oaxaca, and having a distri-
Procambarus {Austrocambarus) acantho-
bution that included four sites in the neigh- phorus.—WiUalohos, 1954:364; 1955:
boring regions of Veracruz. Villalobos
224; 1983:213.
(1954), in his review of some species in
the mexicanus Group, also recorded P. (A.) Diagnosis.—Body pigmented, eyes nor-
acanthophorus from Espagoya, a marsh mally developed. Rostrum with reduced
area in the northeast section of Lake Ca- marginal spines, median carina absent.
temaco, Veracruz. The range of P. (A.) Acumen length 21.1% to 30% of RL (X -
acanthophorus was later modified by Vil- 24.5%). Carapace with 2 pairs of short cer-
vical spines, both oriented cephaloventrally
lalobos (1955), extending it to the environs
of the Port of Veracruz, and subsequently (Fig. la). Areola obliterated, 30.6% to
by Hobbs (1989), who recorded it from 34.9% {X = 32.7%) of TCL (Fig. lb). An-
A terior margin of carapace straight, with
Chiapas. recent detailed examination of
weak suborbital angle, and 2 to 3 spines of
these collections revealed that the speci-
unequal size in addition to branchiostegal
mens from Espagoya represented a new
spine. Postorbital ridges well marked, ce-
species (Rojas 1998), which is described phalic margin with short spine. Antennal
herein. scale 2.3 times as long as wide, maximum
All specimens cited are deposited in the width at midlength, lateral margin thick-
Coleccion Nacional de Crustaceos, Instituto ened and terminating in spine. Second seg-
de Biologia, Universidad Nacional Auton- ment of endopodite of antennal peduncle
oma de Mexico (CNCR). Other abbrevia- with spine on distal margin (Fig. 2b). Che-
tions used are: coll., collector; RL, rostrum lipeds subequal in length, shorterthan TCL,
length; TCL, total carapace length. covered with squamous tubercles, pubes-
.
VOLUME 113, NUMBER 3 793
cent; fingers shorter than inner margin of Postannular sclerite subtriangular, with api-
palm, which about twice as long as broad; cal notch, in contact with a—nnulus (Fig. 2g).
dactyl with fine, long setae along dorsal Measurements oftypes. See Table 1 —
surface, opposable margin with prominent Description ofholotypic male,form I.
tubercle near midlength, finely serrate dis- Body pigmented. Cephalothorax cylindri-
tally; fixed finger with short setae along cal, becoming thicker in branchial region,
ventral margin, opposable margin with 2 or 0.9 times length of abdomen. Areola oblit-
3 proximal tubercles, finely serrate distally erated, 34.5% of TCL. Dorsal surface of
(Figs. Ic-d). Ischium of third pereiopod of carapace with scattered punctations in gas-
form I male armed with acute hook, tip of tric region, area next to postorbital ridges
which reaching beyond articulation with with fine punctations; branchial region with
basipodite (Fig. If). First pair of pleopods punctations of variable size; hepatic region
(gonopods) of form I male short, symmet- smooth, with few scatteredpunctations. An-
rical, devoid of subterminal setae; shoulder terior border of carapace, between subor-
on cephalic surface at base of terminal el- bital angle and branchiostegal spine, with 3
ements wide and strong, distally with 2bor- spines of unequal size, mesial one largest.
ders separated by deep v-shaped depression Rostrum with reduced marginal spines, dor-
(Fig. 2c); laterodistal border wide, rounded, sal surface smooth, slightly concave; mar-
lowerthan mesiodistal border (Fig. 2e); me- gins of rostrum converging anteriorly, an-
siodistal border narrow, inclined, divided terior width 2.7 mm, posterior width 5.4
by deep notch next to base ofcephalic pro- mm; subrostral ridges not visible in dorsal
cess. In caudal view, lateral border promi- view (Fig. lb). Acumen length 23.6% of
nent, distal portion rounded, with wide and RL, triangular, grooved, tip chitinized,
reaching distal margin of ultimate podom-
shallow notch (visible in cephalic view); in
ere ofantennularpeduncle. Postorbitalridg-
lateral view, lateral border extending to
es parallel, well marked, ending in short ce-
midlength of mesial process; in cephalic
phalic spine. Suborbital margin ofcarapace
view, surface ofbordercovered withround-
straight, infraorbital spine absent. Two short
ed tubercles and with submarginal groove.
cervical spines each side of carapace, ori-
Mesial process short, wide, lightly sclero-
ented cephaloventrally (Fig. la); cervical
tized, curved laterally, adjacent to lateral
groove discontinuous.
shoulder, flattened mesio-laterally, ending Abdomen narrower than carapace, tergal
in angular tip. Cephalic process small, sub-
region of somites with scarce punctations,
triangular, joining with each vertex central
pleural surface smooth. Telson coveredwith
projection, mesial process, and mesiodistal
short setae dorsally; cephalic portion with 2
border on cephalic shoulder. Central projec-
spines of equal length in posterolateral an-
tion triangular in cephalic view, formed by gles, external one fixed, internal one artic-
caudal and cephalic elements. Preannular ulated; caudal margin oftelson straight. Ce-
plate of annulus ventralis complete, extend- phalic lobe of epistome subtriangular, an-
ing laterally beyond sternal plates, reaching terior vertex with acute cephalomedianpro-
coxae of fourth pair of pereiopods, 4.5 to jection, caudolateral angles broadly
5.2 times as wide as long; anterior margin rounded, ventral surface flat with scattered
overlapping adjacent sternal plate, posterior small setae; cephalic lobe delimited poste-
margin with wide median concavity, where riorly by strong constriction; body of epi-
median lobe fits. Annulus trapezoidal, an- stome with raised lateral margins, fovea in
terior margin projected cephalically, with cephalomedian section, well defined (Fig.
deep cephalic groove; apical portion flat, le). Antennal scale 2.3 times as long as
with sigmoidal groove that continues over wide, elongated, slender, with deep longi-
caudal surface; apical protuberance absent. tudinal groove; maximum width at mid-
794 PROCEEDINGS OFTHE BIOLOGICAL SOCIETY OF WASfflNGTON
d
a.b.cd
_f
Fig. 1. Procambarus (Austrocambarus) catemacoensis, new species, all from holotypic male (CNCR 17993)
except d from allotypic female (CNCR 17994): a, carapace, lateral view; b, carapace, dorsal view; c, distal
podomeres of right cheliped (male); d, distal podomeres of cheliped (female); e, epistome; f, basal podomeres
ofleft second, third, and fourth pereiopods. Scale bars represent 10 mm (a, b, c, d), 2 mm (e), and 5 mm (f).
VOLUME 113, NUMBER 3 795
Fig, 2. Procambarus {Austrocambarus) catemacoensis, newspecies, allfromholotypicmale (CNCR 17993)
except g from allotypic female (CNCR 17994): a, antennal scale, dorsal view; b, proximal two segments of
antennal peduncle, ventral view; c, left gonopod, cephalic view; d, left gonopod, caudal view; e, left gonopod,
lateral view; f, left gonopod, mesial view; g, annulus ventralis, ventral view.
796 PROCEEDINGS OFTHE BIOLOGICAL SOCIETY OF WASHINGTON
—
Table L Measurements (mm) of the type speci- distal, sharp, hooklike spine; mesial surface
mens ofProcambarus (Austrocambarus) catemacoen- covered with conical tubercles and long se-
sis, new species. tae (Fig. Ic). Merus with spine on distal
Holotypic margin of dorsal surface; mesially, distal
fmoarlme,I Alfleomtaylpeic margin with row of small tubercles; lateral
surface with scattered punctations; mesial
Total length 62.3 64.0
surface with 2 longitudinal, parallel rows of
Carapace spiniform tubercles, setae on space between
Total length 31.0 32.0 rows.
Postorbital length 22.3 23.7
Third pereiopods with ischium bearing
Areola
sharp hook, tip not reaching basioischial ar-
Length 10.7 11.0 ticulation (Fig. If). Fifth pereiopods with
Width 0.2
coxabearing small tuberculiformprojection
Rostrum on mesial surface.
Length 7.2 9.6 First pair of pleopods (gonopods) as in
Anterior width 2.7 3.7
Diagnosis.
Posterior width 5.4 6.7
Acumen length 1.7 2.2 Uropods with short spines on proximal
lobes; mesial ramus with premarginal dis-
Cheliped
tomedial spine; lateral ramus with 2 spines
Length ofmesial margin ofpalm 12.7 10.5
Width ofpalm 6.6 6.5 on distolateral angle, external one fixed, in-
Length oflateral margin 21.3 18.7 ternal one largest, articulated.
Length ofdactyl 10.1 10.2 —Description of morphotypic male, form
Abdomen 11. Unknown. —
Width 10.3 12.0 Description ofallotypicfemale. Differ-
Length 31.3 33.0 ing from holotypic male in following char-
acters: Areola linear, 34.4% of TCL; ante-
rior border ofcarapace, between branchios-
length (Fig. 2a). Antennal peduncle with tegal spine and antennal angle, with 3
basis ending in distolateral spine, ischium spines in addition to branchiostegal spine;
with ventral spine. Second segment of en- right chela shorter, 2.9 times as long as
dopodite of antennal peduncle with spine wide; fingers as long as palm, covered with
on distal margin (Fig. 2b). Third maxilliped long setae; palm 1.6 times as long as wide,
reaching midlength of second segment of devoid of setae on central portion (Fig. Id);
antennal peduncle; ventral surface of ischi- thoracic stemite ridgelike between first and
um with short, fine setae; exopodite extend- second pereiopods, with 3 subacute tuber-
ing beyond distal of merus of endopodite. cles, becoming wider between second and
Chelae shorter than TCL, tuberculate; third pereiopods, smooth between third and
right chela 3.2 times as long as broad, pu- fourth pereiopods. Annulus ventralis as de-
bescent, fingers shorter than palm; palm scribed in Diagnos—is.
about 1.9 times as long as broad, lateral sur- Type locality. Espagoya, Lake Cate-
face covered with subsquamous tubercles maco (altitude 335 m), Municipio de Ca-
and long, fine setae along dorsal and ventral temaco, Veracruz, Mexico (18°27'N,
margins; mesial surface with scattered se- 95°6'W). —
tae. Fixed finger with cutting edge flanked Disposition of types. Holotypic male
laterally by longitudinal row ofrounded tu- form I CNCR 17993, allotypic female
bercles. CNCR 17994. Paratypic males form I (2)
Carpus approximately conical, dorsal and CNCR 1414. —
lateral surfaces with scattered small subs- Material examined. All specimens
m
quamous tubercles; dorsal surface bearing from Espagoya, Lake Catemaco, 335 of
VOLUME 113, NUMBER 3 797
altitude, Veracruz, Mexico: 1 6 juv., 3 2 Similar to the problem encountered with
juv. (CNCR 1416), 21 Sep 1953, coll. A. Procambarus (Austrocambarus) mexicanus
Villalobos; 2 9,33 juv. (CNCR 1413), 8 (Erichson, 1846), where a number ofclose-
Dec 1953, coll. A. Villalobos; 3 S form I, ly related forms classified as the sametaxon
3 ? (CNCR 1414), 17 Apr 1957, coll. A. have proven to be more than one species
Villalobos. — (Rojas et al. 1999), the new species de-
Etymology. The species name is de- scribed herein was previously confounded
rived from "Catemaco" the name of the with P. (A.) acanthophorus. New revisions
lake where the type locality is located. of widely distributed species of cambarids
Remarks.—-Although the new species P. in Mexico will probably result in the dis-
(A.) catemacoensis is morphologically sim- covery of additional new species.
ilar to P. (A.) acanthophorus, the two can The Los Tuxtlas region supports a re-
be distinguished by: a wider mesial process markably large list of 12 endemic fresh-
&
of the form I male gonopod, that is com- water decapods (Alvarez Villalobos
&
pletely folded over the lateral shoulder; in 1997, Villalobos Alvarez 1999). In par-
lateral view, laterodistal border of cephalic ticular, two cambarids, P. (A.) vazquezae
shoulder closer to apex (half the distance Villalobos, 1954 and P. (A.) catemacoensis
found in P. (A.) acanthophorus), mesial new species, one palaemonid shrimp, and
process and central projection separated; two species of pseudothelphusid crabs, are
&
annulus ventralis trapezoidal, with charac- endemic to Lake Catemaco (Alvarez Vil-
teristic groove in apical position (caudally lalobos 1997). As more studies are pub-
positioned in P. (A.) acanthophorus); post- lished increasing the number of endemic
annular sclerite subtriangular with apical freshwater species living in Los Tuxtlas, it
notch, in contact with annulus (postannular becomes evident that stronger protection
sclerite oval shaped, smooth, and separated policies need to be developed for this re-
from annulus in P. (A.) acanthophorus). In gion.
addition the following somatic characters
can also be used to discriminate between Acknowledgments
the two species: the number of spines on We
thank Sara Fuentes for taking the
the anterior border of the carapace, four in SEM micrographs, Laura Padilla and Ro-
P, (A.) acanthophorus, two or three in the lando Mendoza for the drawings, and Car-
new species; an obliterated areola in the men Loyola for preparing the photographic
new species versus a narrow, but not oblit- material. The careful revisions of John E.
erated one in P. (A.) acanthophorus; small-
Cooper, Rafael Lemaitre, and two anony-
er and separated cervical spines in P. (A.) mous reviewers, greatly improved the man-
catemacoensis; second segment of the an-
sucript.
tennal peduncle with a spine in the new
species. In adult specimens the chelae of
Literature Cited
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eds., Historia Natural de Los Tuxtlas. Instituto
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